Edible Michiana

Michiana Growers Group works to transform the local food economy

• Photo by Levon Kotanko

  Mishawaka farmer John Martens smothers a fire that he is using to create biochar. Biochar is charcoal made by burning biomass at low temperatures and low oxygen conditions. Biochar retains a lot of carbon. Farmers use it to amend the soil because it holds nutrients and moisture like a sponge.

• Photo by Levon Kotanko

  Growers Group members and their families gather to make bio-char, an ancient method for amending soil to permanently improve its fertility. (From left) Joel Parker, John Martens, Jonah Storer and Matthew Insley add wood to a fire pit.

• Photo by Levon Kotanko