Some might call him a maverick, others a genius, but Northern Rivers identity Dolph Cooke is passionate about sustainable living and biochar—and in the last 12 months has shown that he is a man of action. Some (but by no means all) of his achievements in the last 12 months include:

Maverick or Genius ?

Biochar Highlights from Biochar project kunghur 2011

• Forming The Biochar Association of Australia, and Biochar Industries—and securing the ‘Hill of Abundance’ 3000 acre forest site at Kunghur as a base.
• Constructing the first commercial Adam retort biochar kiln in Australia, and making it available for community use. (It is also the first in the western world.)
• Holding community talks on biochar, and creating Biochar Action Learning Circles.
  
• Receiving the United Nations Millennium Project Award 2011-2012 (Australasian Node)—for the Biochar Project’s sustainable education program.
• Being awarded a commonwealth Government grant for the Biochar Project’s sustainable community ‘Weeds-out, carbon-in’ initiative.
• Setting up the ‘Hill of Abundance Project’—the goal being food security for 500 families.
• Hosting sustainable living working bees on site, ranging from swale-making to crop planting to compost making to biochar production to constructing buildings.
• Formalising plans for an organic compost site and biochar production facility for community use on Kyogle Road, Kunghur.
• Making biochar from ‘The Hill of Abundance’ available commercially, and marketing TLUD units (Top Lit Up Draft Gasifier) that make biochar and double as a cooking stove.

With this groundwork in place, 2012 looks even more action-packed. If you want to get involved or know what’s going on, log in to http://biocharproject.org/news and get on to the mailing list.

Sustainable living and social responsibility are the hot issues for 2012, and Dolph is a hands-on trail-blazer with a knack for turning big ideas into practical reality. Watch this man!

Biochar Highlights brought to you by the letters D and B and the number 1

Wombat the carbon Dog

So Wombat, Gillian (Photographer) and my self trekked out to the Labrador men’s shed where we were able to grasp their project much better.
Peter welcomed us and brought us up to speed on the entire project.

Which is a great bush mechanics project in its own right. The men at Labrador men shed have a link with the chief of a village in Vanuatu.
Peter and the boys introduced their first stoves because the women of the village would have to walk many kilometres to try and find wood to cook food on. So they invented a stove that would be more efficient and much more safer to the young ones that live in the village.
Now the stove the boys made was much safer than the pit fires and much more efficient, the stove was also made from reused BBQ gas canisters that are thrown out. The Biochar project’s job was to make it better. I added a cleaner burning concept and a by product concept to throw in the mix.

Bush Mechanics

Set the boys the new tasks and headed off back into the forest. It wasn’t long before the new prototype photos were emailed back to me for inspection.
I was delighted these expert bush mechanic / Craftsmen created such a good stove their was nothing I could add.
The best part of today’s visit was seeing all the men proud as punch showing off their handy work and having the ABC Interview us for Coast FM 91.7 ABC.
Big Thanks to.
Dr Paul Wildmam
Kalgrove KIDS and Adult Learning
Crafter-circle.com the journal of the bush mechanics
Nundah Lions Club
Labrador Men’s Shed
Biochar Industries
ABC Radio 91.7 Coast FM

Happy to get started Again

I think the main reason why nothing happened for a long time is the shed itself had chosen the builder it wanted to build the roof so it new it would get quality workmanship.

Wow roof going on YEAHHH

So over the 9 months we have had many starts on it with many builders who said they knew what to do when they really did not. But this time over the weekend we saw the project completed in enough time for the rainy season.

Big thanks goes to Paul, Jim and Wombat for sticking to the job and making it such a handsome shed. I just need to fasten a pulley above the kiln door and a winch at the back of the shed to lift the moster 180kg kiln Lid. Then this project is complete.

More action looking good

Adam retort biochar kiln

Face Book page

once wet could take a further 4 hours of burn time to dry out again so this has hampered our use of the kiln. We plan to do a big run this week and video the choice parts and record the data so Uncle Buck can enjoy the event from his arm chair.

I am really elated and full of happy energy to see this finished. I will create a vegie patch behind the kiln so that the water that runs off the new roof can feed my veggies for me.

Wow allo the panels all on

As usual the hill of abundance has provided everything we need for free and I wish to use this moment to thank the universe for such a great couple of days. Thank you Universe.

I have talked with Paul at length and he would like to help me build the sustainable biochar education centre hall when it is time for that project to start. So look out as we create a truly sustainable building for biochar education and advancement.

Happy days are here again

Big rustic and bold will be the order of the day.

Charmaster Dolph Cooke

Biochar Industries History.

At the end of 2010 I was becoming more and more passionate about how biochar can fix many problems. However like my mentor Geoff Moxham RIP I was becoming overwhelmed with the magnitude of my calling in life.

My Mentor the late Geoff Moxham

One day out in the garden after reading the ringing cedars of Russia series. I caught a glimpse of how effective  just one person can be toward helping  the planet .

You see until then and as evident on my website here. I thought I had to teach mankind why biochar is so good at many things.

Lets face it one person (me) teaching many people, who teach thousands of people, who in turn  teach the whole of civilisation how to make free and good biochar. Yeah this was indeed overwhelming.

One Person Me

The Biochar Industries Glimpse.

I still can not explain what it was that I glimpsed on that faithful day however I can tell you how far this glimpse has grown into reality.

The gist of that vision was ” Your thoughts are back to front” Why try and heal mankind when there are so many? Why not focus on healing Mother Earth as she is only one ?

Mother Earth, Gaia, Planet Earth, Mother Nature, World, Planet, Home whatever you call her there is no doubting we have seriously harmed her and need to show her we are the image of god she sees us as.

Biochar in the Image of our makers

After much searching and many conversations with venerable folks, My idea started to gain shape. I still need to ride on the shoulders of my mentor and his mentors by pushing their barrow to its ultimate destination.(Link Here to Geoff’s Grant) I also needed to make my own way through this passage to a better life. This is how the Biochar Industries started.

What is Biochar Industries?

A sustainable Industry based upon biochar and its many connections with our Earth. To justly give you an overview of Biochar Industries would be to ask you to stay focuses for far too long (Most folks can’t focus more than 10 minutes) However I will list you our Goals and mini projects under the umbrella of Biochar Industries under Biochar Project.

1. To repair Mother Earth and to shout it from the roof tops.

2.Create a sustainable industry that is a community collaborative to achieve the acceptance of biochar world wide.

3. To make this industry practical and reachable by any person on earth.

4. To elevate anyone who uses sustainable biochar with our help and support.

5. Finally to elevate the welfare of all those who embrace this one of a kind man made solution to repair our home.

Mini Projects of Biochar Industries.

1. Hill of abundance food security for 500 families.

2.Community Kiln.

community kiln

3. Community sustainable weeds out carbon in Project.

4. Biochar the Movie

5. A sustainable community based on Artisans and Anastasia.

So I remember watching a baseball film about an old baseball farmer who built a baseball diamond on his farm. He kept saying If I build it they will come. I get the same maddening thought running through my mind every time I work , talk or think about biochar. Thank You Geoff I hear you load and clear.

So we are now at the end of 2011 and what are the results?

1. I have exclusive use of 3000 acres of trees that need sustainable nurturing and thinning.

2. I have Biochar Industries situated on a zoned heavy Industry site.

3. I have more plant than I can poke a stick at.

4. I have more opportunities than I can poke a stick at.

5. I still have my Integrity. I have learnt a lot from the old paradigm.

6. I belong to a wonderful community.

7. I now have Gravitas both Government and private.

8. I am getting the folks I really need to carry this project off.

9. I have no where near the pressure I once was under.

10. I have more knowledge than I could of dreamed of about Biochar.

Good friends and Community

My health is improving everyday.

Here’s to Biochar
Here’s to the champions who use it.
Here’s to mother Earth.

Charmaster Dolph Cooke
Char Story Master.

This grant is from the Australian Government and it is part of their Caring for our country program.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team of awesome people who have kept the dream alive since we all got together so long ago. You guys know who you are and as promised we will all go to dinner together one time my shout. (Macdonalds anyone).

Seriously together we have created a new paradigm industry that has already won recognition for our creative commons. An industry that works on abundance and a new way to look at ourselves via community.

From now on I call what we do a Collaborative. Out goes my favorite word Cooperative and with it all the baggage that humanity has heaped on it.

So how many projects do we have going ? Ill list them here in case You as an interested reader would like to get involved.

Biochar project

1. BiocharProject.org – a world collaborative on all things Biochar.

2. Biochar Action Learning circles. A new paradigm learning experience.

3. Biochar Industry – An Australian Sustainable biochar education centre to set the standards.

4. Biochar Association of Australian Incorporated.

5. Hill of Abundance community collaborative.

6. Community Sustainable Weeds out Carbon in Project.

7. Biochar the Movie.

We are busy and we do welcome folks to join us in whatever capacity they choose. So if you would like to be involved in something extraordinary start now and email dolph@biocharproject.org with your intentions.

Stay tuned as I write a post about our latest grant and how biochar project can make a difference to how folks understand biochar.

Charmaster Dolph Cooke

1. A mummy was found in China during the excavation of a tomb, which was ascertained to be 2,100 years old. This mummy was a 53-year-old noble lady who died from the stricture of the heart. Upon careful examinations, the mummy was found to be as fresh as a 4-day-old corpse. Inside her stomach were more than 170 melon seeds. These seeds were planted for experimental reasons, and all of them germinated. These astonishing facts were soon
explained when the excavators found 5 tons of charcoal at the bottom of the tomb. It seems all the once-living things were protected and kept fresh by the billions of negative ions made by the charcoal for over 2,000 years!

2. Bamboo charcoal dissipates electromagnetic (EM) waves by bouncing them. When EM waves leave a computer monitor, for example, they seek a good electric conductor nearby. When bamboo charcoal, which is also a good conductor of electricity, happens to be nearby, some EM waves will go to it before reaching the human body. Once such waves enter the bamboo charcoal, they are bounced around by the surfaces of the pores, gradually slowing down their speed, and eliminated completely.

3. The porosity of charcoal explains why it floats on the surface of water,
although it is actually denser. This also accounts for its ability to readily
absorb gases and liquids; charcoal is often used to filter water or absorb odors. Charcoal filters are used in some types of gas mask to remove poisonous gases from inhaled air.

4. Using nanometre technology, bamboo charcoal can be interwoven into the threads of clothing. The clothing then has an anti-fungal quality, eliminates odours, and helps reject dampness.

5. In the 1870′s, Thomas Edison used carbonized bamboo fibre as filament in the development of the light bulb. The carbonized filament he used then still works and is on display at the Smithosionan in Washington D.C.

6. An increasing number of companies and individuals in Japan use charcoal for the foundations of their factories, office buildings, and homes. Reports indicate, among other things, that the people working or living above the charcoal foundations get less tired and that wood used in the structures deteriorates less quickly.

7. Many Japanese kitchens use charcoal inside the oil for frying, because the oil becomes rancid less quickly and can be used for many days, as long as the charcoal is kept inside the oil all the time.

8. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world and some species can grow up to 1.2 metres a day if conditions are good. The plant usually matures in three to five years, and renews itself without the need for replanting.

Bamboo Charcoal

I have a valley of charcoal and a Kiln so I am going to make Bamboo Biochar.

Found this on Djanbung Gardens Facebook page.

Charmaster Dolph

P.s if you know any other facts on biochar / charcoal send them to me please.

night cap ranges camp spot

The hill of abundance is an interactive hands on event that I hold periodically at the biochar Industries educational area Kunghur. My aim is to offer a rich educational experience whilst creating real world projects at the same time.

The Van Dam at hill of abundance

The hill of abundance II is not a sequel but merely the second time we have worked on this project. A numbering system if you like.

Visit this post and this post to read what we have so far achieved.

The hill of abundance is open to anyone who meet the following criteria.
Farmers, Gardeners, Students of agriculture, folks with a love for nature.

Hill of abundance I folks after swale

As you can see it is open to pretty much anyone there are no age limits with only a few simple rules.

1. The forest in which the hill of abundance lies is drug and alcohol free.
2. The hill of abundance is a G rated area suitable for children.
3. Common sense is a priority.
4. Be kind to everything.

Looking at the bare hill of abundance

The hill of abundance II  5th – 6th November 2011.

The program. DAY 1
Morning we will create a huglekulture swale and talk about it’s function.
Lunch Hopefully a BBQ.
Afternoon we will plant out some trees and prepare a biodynamic 500 formula.
Dinner
Prepared talks on different subjects or watch a DVD on permaculture.

Day 2 if weather is fine
Load and fire the community biochar kiln.
Talk about and plan Hill of abundance III.

Here are some shots from Hill of abundance I

Here is how to get to us.

we live 5klm in the nightcap forest so i will try and make an accurate text map.
If you are coming from UKI follow the main road Kyogle road west for another 15 klms once you pass through the village of Kunghur you travel for 1.5klms you will see that the road opens up to 4 lanes for a short distance turn right at this section in the road you will see a yellow Interaction sign.

Once through the gate turn at the next right which will be a Small steel bridge follow the signs to the hill of abundance. Or follow this dirt road for 3klms and turn right at the yellow flag that says mebbin plantation then follow that 2klms to the Hill of abundance.

If your coming from NIMBIN
Follow the blue knob road until it connects with kyogle road then turn right into kyogle road. Follow that road for 9 klms until the road widens in both directions turn left into the drive way near the interaction sign then follow the above directions in green.

If it is raining you will need a 4×4 to access the hill of abundance. If unsure wait at the gate and some one with a 4×4 will give you a lift.

Please tell your friends about us everyone who takes the time to come and visit us is welcome.

Someone with a 4x4 will pick you up

Our Vision for the Hill of Abundance is to create enough food for 500 families.
We have for your comfort.
Camp spots with shelters (6 in all)
Satellite WiFi Internet at main shed.
Electricity at main shed.
First Aid at main shed.
Limited refrigeration.

You are welcome to bring.
Tools
Pets that are friendly to other beings
Kids (as above)
Trees / Seeds / Cuttings / Seedlings of beneficial varieties. NO GM.
Camping gear / camping van or trailers.
Fishing gear etc.

Fires are permitted if well supervised.

For more info or special requests email dolph@biocharproject.org

Charmaster Dolph

Learning Biodynamic farming concepts

Biochar as you know is a rock solid foundation on which microbes can build their families and colonies in, it is like offering each family a high rise apartment block for their own use with no conditions. How many people would love something like that ?

Sure I have spent considerable time on researching what is the best ways of populating biochar with microbes. This is why I went to the biodynamic farming field day. In the past I have studied the work of Rudolf Steiner the book is called agriculture. What I took away from these books is the concept of spiritual farming which excites me no end.

Biodynamic farming

biodynamic Compost is a great way to introduce microbes to biochar

It wasn’t until now that I understood that biodynamic farming is all about the microbes. Microbes on mass we are talking about a 35 gram of properly made biodynamic preparation holds as much as 500 million (500,000,000) microbes.

My initial thoughts were wow imagine giving all those microbes a new home that would last a couple of hundred thousand generation. This could be what I am looking for microbes for my biochar.

Here are folks awaiting the lectures by lise

So I asked the question “Is biochar suitable to be used with biodynamic farming preparations”.
The answer was “NO”. Lise went on to explain that 2 weeks ago at a biodynamic field day in Gatton, the father of biodynamic farming in Australia Mr Alex Podolinsky was asked the similar question and his response was “No”.

However once we started to walk to the compost demonstration two ladies both approached me and said they were at the Gatton field day and believe that Mr Alex Podolinsky did not understand what biochar was they said he thought it was coal. So now it is my job to research if in fact biochar can play a significant role in biodynamic farming and of course if biodynamic preperations will work well with biochar.

A biodynamic preparation holding box

Here is my hunch (not very scientific I know). Biochar needs microbes and microbes need a safe haven to grow to their potential. Byodynamic preparation 500 offers lots of microbes but they are only available for 1 hour after activation.

However the other biodynamic preparations  502 ,503 ,504 ,505 ,506 ,507 ,508 all work well in a compost system.
Biochar works extremely well in a compost system. Biochar and biodynamics could well be the missing link.

Lise demonstrates how Biodynamic preperation 501 needs to be applied

So here is my open invitation to anyone let me know what your thoughts are on this subject, weather it be knowledge / wisdom / information / trials / tests / channeled information direct from Rudolph. I would like to start a dialogue on this concept.

I will be commencing test trials at the hill of abundance just as soon as I can. My intuition says Yes their is a role for biochar in biodynamics. Charmaster Dolph Cooke will be the grand daddy of Biodynamic Biochar you read it first right here.

I would like to thank James for hosting the biodynamic farming field day. Jim for organising the day.  Lise for presenting all about biodynamic preparations and farming methods. A big thank you to all the newly initiated biodynamic farmers that attended and thank you for your interactions you all inspire me absolutely

Charmaster Dolph Cooke
On the case for Biochar.
Founder Bioichar Industries
Kunghur NSW Australia.

Biochar Industries

Hill of Abundance update for the weekend of 15th and 16th October 2011.

For those of you just joining us I will try and give you a succinct but short introduction to what we are up to down here in Biochar Industries Kunghur.

A special place has been found where we can come and do what we know best in regards to making our planet a place of joy and of course practice , learn, develop and teach ways to live with nature as a friend not a foe.

We are at the beginning of our practice what we preach phase and are planning what we hope will be a sustainable lifestyle that can serve as an example of what can be done. Who are we? we are people who feel there must be more to life. We are not special this is not exclusive we are people who care enough to do something.

Yes that means you are welcome to come and be apart of this life changing project.

Many hands means access to more knowledge there are exemplary people right throughout history such as Rudolf Steiner, Bill Mollison, Anastasia, Viktor schauberger, Nikola Tesla, who all wanted the betterment of our planet and all its inhabitants without wanting payment.

We are the new wave of exemplary pioneers forging our way towards the light.
I like to collectively call us Bush Mechanics. People who want action, people who seek truth, people who care enough to make it happen, real champions.

Sorry I promised succinct and short… But delivered emotional response. in the words of the great guild leaders “Handle it”  : )

If you want to think outside the box or you would like to learn from outside the box our social innovation of a community collaborative space of love is one solution towards self growth.

Without further delay here are some choice pictures of some of the folks who came and shared with us this 1st special event of many. If your reading this and did attend and have pictures please send them on and I will update.

hugelkultur we learnt a bit about this and we are hoping to implement it in our next event. Basically HugelKultur means “Hill Beds” this is a great reuse plan for waste timber of which we have a lot. Follow the above link and learn all about it.

Permaculture. Another concept in which we try to rehabilitate land in a similar fashion to how nature might do it. By allowing our plants to take care of each other and at the same time live in perfect synergy with the environment providing potentials for vast advances in all aspects of agriculture and sustainability. Our expert Permaculture designers helped draw up our plan have a look here. —>

Our permaculture plan for overall sustainabillity Biochar Industries

Aquaponics. This is the art of using nature to provide abundance whilst sustainably keeping each others environments clean. A Technological breakthrough or did nature always work this way? As a lover of Gaia ,Anastasia and life I find myself extremely excited about this concept. These two kingdoms combined to make sure each kingdom reaches its full potential

Biochar. Although our concept is based around a biochar industries we did not much with creating biochar as the weather was wet. However I did manage to set 2 x 44 galllon drums of biochar into innoculation / conditioning mode with our stockpile of worm wee. Next time we are going to have a big biochar fest I promise.

Bush Mechanics. This is about using what is available and combining it with skill and innovation to provide the very best solution. It is more than head knowledge it is more than hand knowledge it is a complete way of life. When I think Bush Mechanic I think of a league of extraordinary people who can access whatever it is they need to know from past, present and future.

Here is a photo of my 3 little bush mechanic apprentices who passed my carefully crafted MAN TESTS to become fine students of the Bush Mechanics Institute.
They are having a much rewarding feast of Eggy Noodles.
Here’s a toast to the FUTURE.

Biochar Industries Bush mechanic apprentices

Anastasia space of love. The ringing cedars of Russia is a series of 10 Books which outline the way Anastasia sees the world. They touch you deeply and allow you to open up the potential that lays dormant in each and every one of us.
I borrowed these books from the Tweed Library and read them twice now I have my very own collection of books 1 through to 6 as part of my reward for attempting to leave the old paradigm. The hill of abundance is my gift to you.

The new paradigm is awaiting Fear is banished and replaced with Abundance. Love rules supreme and life is pure JOY.

Food Forest. This is part of the permaculture concept where you allow food trees to live together as if they are were forest trees. Phenomenally enough they do far better as a team than any and all forms of man made agriculture will ever do. The hill of abundance will become a food forest in time and so will the edges of this wonderful 3000+ acre forest.

MEN WOMEN CHILDREN and DOGS. Was the order of the weekend we had 9 dogs at one point who integrated fairly well.
We had 5 children who integrated even better but the surprise was how well the adults integrated this was pure magic.

We heard stories of how a whole community can live together blissfully in Japan by having a way that everyone has a say on how its run and everyone finishes the process 100% agreeing with the outcome Incredible.

Organic farming. We were visited by our Certified Organics Body Nasaa’s three top inspectors and we had a most enlightening chat and farm walk here is the photo of these great folks and note Janet’s Cookies gracing their hands and tummies:)

Great Folks from the Organic certifying board. Note the cookies : ) Thanks Janet

Where to from here? I think we are going to do another swale soon and incorporate Huglekulture for the ultimate in water conservation.

Thank you everyone who has had an influence on our project I hope you feel that the hill of abundance is yours because it is.

Charmaster Dolph Cooke
Biochar Industries Australia

Well the 1st biochar action learning circle is now complete and I find myself reflecting on what has transpired during these six sessions over the last three month’s.

My initial thoughts and feelings are. What a great Idea mixing technological innovation with social innovation. I am aware that social innovation is 1 million times slower than technological innovation.

all the folks at biochar action learning circle

In this case, in these circumstances, even in these times and this area it was the right thing to do. It is a really good feeling when you have been working on something for so long, keeping the faith through thick and thin, not really knowing what the end destination will be and to have it blossom into such an extraordinary and use full system to help humanity is just such a wonderful feeling.

Really the biochar action learning circle is a perfect blend of new and old school.

Hey and its not only Charmaster Dolph Cooke that thinks this way . Look what the folks of the United Nations Millennium Project must feel by selecting our project to be the winner of this prestigious award. Another world first, Another new paradigm project.

I wish to thank everyone who attended the very first biochar action learning circle you are now going to be recorded as pioneers of this system. Thank You for the feedback thank you for the millions of interactions throughout this time both with Paul, Gillian and myself and each other. To say something about this process in one word it would have to be – ORGANIC.

Biochar Action Learning Circle

List of champions in no particular order. Nev,Pixie, Scott, Chris, Myles, Jeff, Annettea, Mik and later Wolfgang. All of you have taken this system and molded it in your own unique ways and shown me that this system is flexible enough for the complexities of all people from all walks of life.

The biggest challenge I saw was trying to undue the damage from the closed and bondage system of education that has been spoon fed into everyone in Australia. Once we cut through some of the closed minded brainwashed techniques that had been used our champions sawed to greater heights as evident in the projects they have completed.

biochar action learning circle 2

Where do I think this is going? New paradigm that’s where. I believe in a world where people can use all the faculties bestowed upon them. These people using their own judgment can easily see whats needed for the biggest problems our kind face. This is where the real excitement lays.

Of course there will be much twinking of the system and many more concepts to consider for the next one. This to me is deeply exciting. What did I gain from this that I consider the most important? Friends many new dear close friends who just so happen to have BIOCHAR as something in common.

Now you could not wish for anything more than that.

See you at the 2nd Biochar Action Learning Circle

Charmaster Dolph Cooke