Farmers
The Great Lakes Biochar Initiative (GLBI) works alongside farmers, landowners, and agricultural partners to reduce nutrient pollution from non-point sources while supporting productive, resilient farmland across the Great Lakes region.
We believe that lasting water quality improvements start on the land—and that farmers are essential partners in protecting our shared watersheds.
A Practical, Farmer-Focused Approach
Nutrient runoff is a complex challenge, influenced by soils, weather, cropping systems, and management practices. GLBI focuses on voluntary, field-based solutions that work within real-world farming operations.
Our approach emphasizes:
• Keeping nutrients in the soil where crops can use them
• Improving soil structure and water-holding capacity
• Reducing phosphorus and nitrogen losses to surface and subsurface waters
• Supporting long-term soil productivity and farm resilience
Biochar is one of our main tools because of its potential to enhance nutrient retention, improve soil health, and deliver measurable environmental benefits without disrupting normal farm operations.
How We Partner with Farmers and Agricultural Operations
GLBI partners with growers, farm managers, and agricultural businesses in a variety of ways, including:
• On-farm pilot and demonstration projects collaborating on farm field-based trials to evaluate nutrient retention, soil performance, and water quality outcomes.
• Field trials and data collection supporting data-driven evaluations that help farmers understand what works on their land and under their management systems.
• Education and outreach hosting field days, workshops, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities focused on practical soil and nutrient management strategies.
• Customized collaboration. Every farm is different. We work with partners to identify opportunities that align with their goals, crops, and constraints.
Participation is voluntary, and GLBI works to minimize risk, operational disruption, and administrative burden for our partners.
Why Partner with GLBI?
Farmers and agricultural partners who work with GLBI benefit from:
• Access to emerging soil health tools and practices
• Opportunities to participate in funded or cost-shared projects (where available)
• Support from experienced technical and nonprofit partners
• The ability to contribute to watershed-scale solutions without sacrificing productivity
Our goal is to create partnerships that are mutually beneficial, practical, and grounded in respect for agricultural expertise.
Who We’re Looking to Partner With
We welcome collaboration with:
• Row crop, livestock, and mixed-use farming operations
• Agricultural cooperatives and service providers
• Conservation-minded landowners
• Drainage districts and watershed groups
• Agribusinesses interested in soil and water outcomes
Whether you are curious about biochar, actively seeking nutrient management solutions, or simply interested in learning more, we’d like to talk.
Get Involved
If you are interested in exploring a partnership or learning more about GLBI’s work, we invite you to reach out. An initial conversation is often the first step toward finding a solution that works for both your operation and the watershed.
[Contact Us] to start the conversation.
Farmer & Agricultural Partner FAQ
Is this a regulatory or compliance program?
No. The Great Lakes Biochar Initiative is a non-regulatory nonprofit organization. Participation is voluntary and is not tied to permitting, enforcement, or reporting to regulatory agencies.
Who is this program designed for?
Our primary focus is on:
• Large dairy operations
• Poultry and other confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs)
• Operations managing significant manure or nutrient volumes
We also work with row crop and mixed-use farms where nutrient runoff reduction is a priority.
How does biochar apply to dairy or poultry operations?
Biochar may be used in several ways, depending on the operation, including:
• Soil amendment on manure-applied fields to improve nutrient retention
• Integration with manure management systems
• Bedding or compost-related applications (where appropriate)
• Engineered Biochar filtration systems to capture nutrient runoff into watershed.
Our work focuses on practical use cases that fit existing management systems rather than adding complexity.
Will this interfere with my current operation?
GLBI works to minimize operational disruption. Projects are designed around existing practices and schedules. Most partnerships begin with small, clearly defined pilot projects before scaling up.
Is there a cost to participate?
Costs depend on the type and scope of the project. In many cases, GLBI seeks:
• Grant funding
• Cost-share opportunities
• Partner support
We are transparent about costs upfront and work to reduce financial risk for participating farms whenever possible.
Will this affect crop yields or animal performance?
Our goal is to maintain or improve agronomic performance while reducing nutrient losses. Any on-farm work is designed to avoid negative impacts, and projects are monitored to understand both agronomic and environmental outcomes.
Will my data be shared publicly?
Data sharing is discussed in advance and handled carefully. Farm-specific information is kept confidential unless a partner explicitly agrees to share results or participate in case studies.
What kind of data do you collect?
Depending on the project, this may include:
• Soil nutrient levels
• Field application rates
• Basic water quality indicators
• Operational observations
We prioritize useful, minimal data collection and avoid unnecessary reporting burdens.
Do I need prior experience with biochar?
No. Many partners are new to biochar. GLBI provides technical support and works with experienced biochar producers and researchers to guide implementation.
How long do projects typically last?
Pilot projects often run one to three growing seasons, depending on objectives. Timelines are clearly defined at the start of each partnership.