The Journey
Imagine losing half your garden’s soil in your lifetime. Sadly, that’s the reality for our planet. A staggering 52% of the world’s topsoil has vanished in the last 150 years, and every year, we lose a staggering 23-36 billion tons more. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s fertile ground disappearing right beneath our feet, jeopardizing food security and the very foundation of life.
Fortunately, Ancient Wisdom inspires hope, read our story to find out how…
Preta Carbon
: Where Ancient Wisdom meets Modern Innovation
Rooted in Tradition, Reaching for the Future:
The story of Preta Carbon begins 1000’s of years ago with the wisdom of the ancient Amazonians. Situated amongst some of the poorest soil in the world, they faced their challenge head on by innovating refined integration with nature. Through the art of combusting organic matter into a life-giving process that ultimately sustained them. They then went to grow in numbers amassing to a huge Civilization, that would congregate in their hundreds and revel in celebration of harmony with nature.
From Ashes to Action:
Over 2000 years later, exploring Europeans carried a plague that wiped the Amazonians out, and they were almost forgotten. Hundreds of years later however, the remarkable properties of Terra Preta were rediscovered in the 1960’s. The ancient settlers’ biochar practices, passed down through generations, stood as a beacon of ecological harmony. This simple act of enriching the soil with biochar created a long legacy echoing through the millennia… Their “Terra Preta,” or “Black Earth,” became a testament to their ingenuity, boasting unmatched fertility. This rediscovery sparked a fire of inspiration in our founder, who, captivated by the potential of biochar, embarked on a personal journey.
Learning from the Masters:
Drawn to the innovative pyrolysis technology of one passionate organic farmer, our founder succumbed to the world of biochar production and regenerative agriculture. Seeing the benefit BioChar had on the crops, first hand, crystallized the understanding of a harmonious relationship with nature as the guiding principle. This hands-on experience, fuelled by a shared passion for ecological solutions, laid the foundation for Preta Carbon’s future.
From Humble Beginnings to Growing Impact:
Over the years, our founder has tirelessly developed and showcased biochar stoves and gasification systems, spreading knowledge through workshops and demonstrations. To date, the founder has built 7 working gasification and heat exchanging prototypes, which have been showcased and utilised at event’s and for communities. Through these demonstrations and workshops at “Off Grid” and sustainability festivals, they have inspired many others to adopt BioChar and Micro Gasifiers into their own projects over the UK. In 2023, with a passionate purpose for local sustainability, Preta Carbon was christened after capturing approx. 9,000 kg of CO2. This is a testament to the ongoing support we wish to offer you with your challenges and complexities of implementing lasting fertile soil and resilient ecosystems.
Our Commitment to You:
Today, we stand at the forefront of a regenerative revolution, drawing inspiration from the past and harnessing modern innovation. We offer high-quality biochar produced from locally sustainable sources, spreading empowerment to local horticultural projects. And our journey is far from over. Later this year, we intend to expand our offer enabling you to make your own biochar, making this powerful tool even more accessible.
Join us on this exciting journey as we rewrite the future of agriculture. Inspired by the wisdom of those who came before us, hand in hand with nature, let’s grow thriving gardens everywhere. Explore our website to learn more and for ways you can get involved.