Michael Schaedel News Today

Can a state have an official aroma? That topic will on attendees minds when the annual New Mexico Chile Conference is held in Las Cruces today. The one-day conference will feature nearly 20 different speakers and presentations. Stephanie Walker, New Mexico State University professor and conference chair said because the chile pepper is New Mexicos signature crop, it is near and dear to everyones heart. ...

By Lisa Held for Civil Eats. Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Big Sky Connection, reporting for Civil Eats/Solutions Journalism/Public News Service Collaboration. On the day the Tigercat carbonator - a machine that looks like a giant metal dumpster mounted on Snowcat-style treads - arrived in western Montana from Oregon, Michael Schaedel set to work navigating "a colossus" over narrow, rolling forest roads. ...

Biochar is a form of charcoal created from heating organic matter in fires. The product enriches soil and captures carbon, meaning it could be a tool for addressing climate change.

Farming with this soil amendment isn’t a climate silver bullet, but it could make more soil a carbon sponge.