Local Org Teaches Solution for Hurricane Helene Waste, Boosting Soil Health

Workshop shows how to create and apply biochar to rehabilitate flood-damaged soil

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Farmers and gardeners in Erwin, Tennessee gathered to learn how to create and apply biochar, a charcoal-like substance made from charring wood with little oxygen, to improve soil health in areas affected by Hurricane Helene. The workshop was hosted by the Appalachian Resource Conservation and Development Council, the Nolichucky Outdoor Recreation Association, and Circleworks, a firm that develops technology to make use of waste.

Why it matters

The Nolichucky River area was left with sandy or silty soil after Hurricane Helene's flooding, and local organizations have been researching ways to rehabilitate the damaged soil. Biochar can be used to manage organic waste, generate heat, and enhance soil fertility, while also sequestering carbon.

The details

The workshop taught more than a dozen gardeners, farmers, landowners, and conservationists how to create and apply biochar. Biochar differs from regular charcoal in that it is cooked at higher temperatures, removing volatile compounds and giving it different properties. The workshop used a kiln on loan from other organizations in North Carolina to demonstrate the biochar-making process.

  • The workshop took place on Saturday, February 10, 2026.
  • Another biochar workshop is planned for later in 2026, either in late spring or early fall.

The players

Appalachian Resource Conservation and Development Council

A local organization that hosted the biochar workshop in collaboration with other groups.

Nolichucky Outdoor Recreation Association

A local organization that collaborated with ARCD and Circleworks on the biochar workshop.

Circleworks

A firm that develops technology to make use of waste, and was involved in the biochar workshop.

Rachel Kinard

The agricultural lands and business director at ARCD who organized the biochar workshop.

Dan Hettinger

The biochar instructor who led the workshop and explained the differences between biochar and regular charcoal.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“With all the downed wood from Helene, we can turn that into biochar. It improves the structure of the soil.”

— Rachel Kinard, agricultural lands and business director at ARCD

“It's going to seem like a little bit of a snake oil show because it's saying 'Oh, it's good for that, oh, it's good for that.' It's like, wait a minute, how can it be good for that?”

— Dan Hettinger, biochar instructor

“If we want to make good biochar, we're paying really close attention to making sure it's fully cooked. And what that means in your wood stove is that there's no flame at all. It just looks like a glowing red rock...so we're going to cook it all the way to where there's no flame at all.”

— Dan Hettinger, biochar instructor

“I'm trying to bridge the gap. Sometimes there's a big divide between the state line... we were all affected by Helene. A state line is just a made up line. The more that we can share resources and share ideas, the better off we'll be.”

— Rachel Kinard, agricultural lands and business director at ARCD

“There's so many different ways you can make [biochar], and you don't need a big fancy kiln. [I hope people learn] the best way to utilize it and all the different applications.”

— Rachel Kinard, agricultural lands and business director at ARCD

What’s next

Another biochar workshop will take place this year, either late spring or early fall.

The takeaway

This workshop demonstrates how local organizations are working together across state lines to find innovative solutions for rehabilitating soil damaged by natural disasters like Hurricane Helene, using biochar to improve soil health and sequester carbon.