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A Cleaner Way to Manage Farm Waste in Florida

Updated: Jul 20, 2025

Providing Alternatives to Open-Air Burning, a Solution that Profits


Open-air burning is still one of the most common ways Florida farmers get rid of citrus waste. But it’s also one of the most damaging — to the environment, to public health, and to future generations of farmers. At Biotech Applied Research (BAR), we’ve worked directly with growers across Florida to bring a better solution to life: on-site biochar production that turns dead groves into valuable resources.

This guide is for farmers, landowners, regenerative agriculture advocates, and anyone concerned with rural Florida’s future. We’ve seen firsthand how quickly open-air burning can turn a citrus grove crisis into an environmental one. But we also know the road to cleaner, more profitable farm practices doesn’t have to be hard.


In this ultimate guide, you’ll learn:

  • Why open-air burning is harmful

  • How mobile biochar machines work

  • What makes biochar a better alternative

  • How BAR is partnering with Florida’s farmers to restore land and protect the climate


Let’s dig in.


Some Quick Navigation


The Cost of Open-Air Burning in Florida

Biotech Applied Research (BAR)'s On-Site Biochar Production System


Each day, over 100 acres of citrus groves are lost in Florida — leaving behind massive piles of dead trees, brush, and organic waste. Most farmers still rely on open-air burning to clear this material. But this outdated method has serious consequences:


  • It releases toxic smoke and CO₂ into the air

  • It worsens air quality in rural areas

  • It misses the opportunity to recycle biomass into valuable soil amendments

  • It works against climate-smart agriculture goals


Instead of helping rebuild soil and reduce emissions, open-air burning wastes materials that could restore farmland and sequester carbon. Florida farmers deserve better options.



BAR has developed mobile pyrolysis machines that offer a direct replacement for open-air burning. Here’s how they work and why they matter.


1. What Is Biochar and How Is It Made?

Biochar is a black, carbon-rich material that looks like charcoal. It’s made by heating organic material (like citrus waste) in a low-oxygen chamber — a process called pyrolysis.

Unlike open-air burning:

  • Carbon stays in the material, not the atmosphere

  • Smoke is eliminated, thanks to controlled heat

  • The final product is useful, not ash

These machines are fully mobile and can be driven directly into groves, turning farm waste into something profitable on-site.


2. Biochar Benefits for Farmers

Biochar is more than a clean way to get rid of waste. It actively improves the land. Here's how:

  • Increases soil fertility

  • Helps soil hold water

  • Supports healthy microbes

  • Reduces need for fertilizers

  • Provides long-term carbon storage

It’s a perfect match for regenerative agriculture and climate-smart farming.


3. Why Open-Air Burning Doesn’t Cut It

Let’s compare the old way to the new:

Feature

Open-Air Burning

BAR Biochar System

Waste Volume

Unchanged

Reduced by ~90%

Carbon Emissions

Released into air

Stored in soil

Soil Benefit

None

Improves fertility

Air Quality

Damaging

Clean

Permits Needed

Yes

No


4. Where We Work

BAR partners with growers across Florida, especially in regions hit hardest by citrus decline:

  • Highlands County

  • Polk County

  • DeSoto County

  • Hardee County

  • Okeechobee County


Our goal is to make biochar accessible, affordable, and profitable for every Florida farm.



5. Frequently Asked Questions

What is biochar made from?

Biochar can be sourced from wood waste and other organic materials. BAR Biochar is specifically sourced from citrus wood waste within Florida.

How is biochar different from ash?

Ash is the result of full combustion. Biochar is created through pyrolysis, which preserves carbon.

Will it help my crops grow?

Yes — biochar improves water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial life in soil.

Where can I get BAR Biochar?

Visit our shop to place an order and support Biotech Applied Research (BAR)'s mission of restoring Florida's Land, Water, and Economy.


Florida’s farmers have been asked to bear the cost of citrus loss, land cleanup, and climate impacts. BAR believes they shouldn’t have to do it alone — and they shouldn’t have to sacrifice sustainability for efficiency.

Here’s what you can do today:

  • Stop applying for burn permits and start turning waste into wealth

  • Contact BAR to bring mobile biochar to your land

  • Purchase BAR Biochar to improve your soil and reduce your carbon footprint

We’re already working with local governments, researchers, and nonprofits to scale our solution across the state. With your support, we can reach every farmer who needs an alternative to open-air burning.


 
 
 

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