Key Takeaways
- US Agrichar has achieved USDA organic certification for its biochar product, marking the first organic-certified biochar produced in the state of Colorado, certified by Where Food Comes From Organic, an accredited USDA organic certification body and unit of Where Food Comes From, Inc. (Nasdaq: WFCF).
- The certified biochar is produced from sustainably sourced wood feedstocks and is suitable for use in organic growing systems, soil blends, potting mixes, and agricultural applications, available in both bagged cubic-foot formats and bulk volumes.
- US Agrichar labels its products in batches tied to specific geographic locations, enabling buyers to trace the origin of feedstock; a recent batch represents 128 tons of beetle kill lumber from the Roosevelt National Forest in Colorado, yielding 32 tons of biochar after processing.
- The production of biochar from high-wildfire-risk lumber directly reduces wildfire risk by removing woody biomass from fire-prone areas during current drought conditions, alongside delivering soil health benefits including improved water retention, nutrient efficiency, and long-term carbon storage.
- Where Food Comes From Organic verifies US Agrichar's production processes, feedstock sourcing, and compliance with USDA organic requirements; the product is also Product of the USA Certified.
US Agrichar, a Colorado-based biochar producer, has announced that its biochar has achieved USDA organic certification, making it the first organic-certified biochar produced in the state of Colorado. The certification was issued by Where Food Comes From Organic, an accredited USDA organic certification body and a unit of Where Food Comes From, Inc. (Nasdaq: WFCF), which verified US Agrichar's production processes, feedstock sourcing, and compliance with USDA organic requirements.
US Agrichar Organic-Certified Biochar: Product and Applications
US Agrichar's biochar is produced from sustainably sourced wood feedstocks using a pyrolysis process — heating organic biomass in a low-oxygen environment — that creates a stable, carbon-rich material. When applied to soil, biochar can improve water retention, nutrient efficiency, and microbial habitat while storing carbon over the long term. The certified product is suitable for use in organic growing systems, soil blends, potting mixes, and broader agricultural applications. It is available in bagged cubic-foot formats and bulk volumes and carries both USDA organic certification and Product of the USA certification.
“Achieving USDA organic certification is a major step forward for US Agrichar and for the biochar industry. This certification validates the integrity of our production process and reinforces our commitment to providing high-quality, responsibly produced biochar that meets the needs of organic growers and nurseries with the added benefit of promoting forest fire mitigation,” said David Sechler, CEO of US Agrichar.
Wildfire Risk Reduction Through Batch-Traced Feedstock
A distinctive feature of US Agrichar's model is its batch-labelling system, which links each product batch to a specific geographic feedstock source. The company produces biochar from lumber harvested in areas at high risk of forest fire, directly reducing the volume of combustible woody biomass in fire-prone landscapes. A recent batch represents 128 tons of beetle kill lumber from the Roosevelt National Forest in Colorado, which yielded 32 tons of biochar after processing. The approach allows buyers to trace the wildfire risk reduction impact of their purchase to a specific location.
“Woody biomass utilization in the Colorado Front Range represents a substantial bottleneck for addressing forest health, source water protection, and wildfire risk reduction in the wildland urban interface. For this project, the landowner's willingness to work with US Agrichar provided a unique opportunity for wood utilization that will provide further downstream benefit to soil health through the use of organic biochar products. Further, this market utilization has reduced the overall project cost, allowing for an expansion in watershed health work within Larimer County,” said Matt Mueller, Forestry Project Manager of the Larimer Conservation District.
US Agrichar and the Growing Market for Certified Biochar
The USDA organic certification reflects growing demand among specialty growers for verified, transparent, and sustainably produced agricultural inputs that align with organic standards and environmental stewardship goals. Where Food Comes From Organic, the certifying body, is a unit of Where Food Comes From, Inc., the leading provider of third-party verification and certification services for agricultural and food production practices in the United States. US Agrichar states the milestone is intended to reinforce the integrity of its production process and broaden access to certified biochar for organic growers and nurseries.
