From the Woods Today - Biochar

From the Woods Today - Biochar

Author: Renee Williams, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension August 21, 2026 Duration: 1:00:52
Discover the many benefits and uses of biochar, a stable, carbon-rich material produced by heating organic matter in a low-oxygen environment. Join Dr. Manisha Parajuli of Kentucky State University's School of Agriculture & Natural Resources as she explains what biochar is, its many applications, the feedstocks used to produce it, and common production methods.
Kentucky has an abundant supply of materials that can be converted into biochar, including invasive species such as Callery pear. Lori Bell, owner of Blue Turtle Permaculture, LLC and a 2025 graduate of the Kentucky Master Naturalist Program, shares her experience and provides a step-by-step look at creating biochar using a custom-built Kon-Tiki style kiln.
 
Also on tap: Dr. Ellen Crocker with the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, discusses laurel wilt, a destructive tree disease spread by the redbay ambrosia beetle that threatens members of the laurel family. Learn how the disease spreads, the symptoms to watch for, and what this emerging threat could mean for Kentucky's forests and landscapes.

Every Wednesday, the digital airwaves fill with the sounds of rustling leaves, insightful conversation, and practical knowledge straight from the heart of Kentucky's landscapes. From the Woods Today is your weekly companion for exploring the intricate, often overlooked world of forests and natural resources. Co-hosted by Renee Williams and Billy Thomas with the UK Forestry and Natural Resources Extension, this live podcast serves as a direct line to experts, bringing the latest science, management tips, and ecological stories right to your ears. The discussions are grounded and accessible, moving beyond theory to focus on the tangible aspects of woodland stewardship, wildlife habitats, and the quiet wonders found just off the trail. You'll hear interviews with researchers, deep dives into seasonal changes affecting your local environment, and straightforward answers to the complex questions that landowners and nature enthusiasts face. Tuning in feels less like a lecture and more like a thoughtful conversation with a knowledgeable neighbor who has spent a lifetime observing the rhythms of the natural world. This is a podcast for anyone curious about the life cycle of a tree, the management of a healthy watershed, or simply the latest news from the field of environmental science. It’s where professional insight meets personal passion, all dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the resources that sustain us. Join the live broadcast to be part of the conversation, or catch the episode on-demand to connect with the woods on your own time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

From the Woods Today
Podcast Episodes
From the Woods Today - Watering Landscape Trees [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:50
Today on From the Woods Today we celebrate Tree Week! Join us as Dr. Ellen Crocker, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, talks about how to properly water landscape trees. Make sure to watch as she and Kelly Ja…
From the Woods Today - Why Do Bears Hibernate? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:38
Join us as Tristian Curry, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, helps us learn all about bears and why they hibernate. Also on tap... Chad Niman, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, speaks about…
From the Woods Today - Prescribed Fire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:48
Join us for an engaging discussion with Jacob Stewart from the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, as he explores the advantages of prescribed fire. Learn what you, as a woodland owner, need to do to implement thi…
From the Woods Today - Fall Mushrooms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:54
Join us as Dr. Ellen Crocker, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, talks about several of the most hunted fall mushrooms. Also on tap...Dr. Amanda Gumbert, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, talks a…
From the Woods Today - KY Wood Expo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:25
Join us as James Wright, Kentucky Forest Industries Association (KFIA), talks about the upcoming Kentucky Wood Expo. Also on tap... join Chad Niman, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, as he joins us to discus…
From the Woods Today - Wings of Kentucky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:28
Join us as Dr. D.J. McNeil, UK Forestry and Natural Resources, talks about our feathered friends in another edition of Wings of Kentucky. Also on tap...join Chris Wiedamann, Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinat…
From the Woods Today - Hickories of Kentucky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:38
This week's From The Woods Today consists of Hickories in Kentucky, hosted by Laurie Thomas, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, who will talk about the many traits, what to look out for, and other different f…