The University of California Cooperative Extension is reaching out to ranchers, forest landowners, farmers, and growers in the Central Sierra region to get input about their needs around woody biomass.

Woody biomass refers to non-merchantable components from trees and plants. Some examples of woody biomass include post-harvesting residuals like branches and bark, small-diameter trees, shrubs, saw dust from lumber manufacturing, and woody chips from thinning practices. Features such as water-holding capacity and carbon sequestration makes wood a natural soil amendment in agriculture, ranching, and gardening.

Common uses of woody biomass include mulching, livestock bedding, landscaping, and biochar production. Studies have shown that using woody biomass helps improve soil nutrients, conserve water, and prevent soil and wind erosion. An abundance of woody biomass and wood wastes is available in the Central Sierra region.

Exploring the value of these resources will encourage hazardous fuel reduction and benefit communities by optimizing the use of local resources.

If you are a rancher, forest landowner, farmer, grower, or someone interested in knowing more about woody biomass applications, please take this opportunity to fill out this very brief survey on the role of woody biomass in improving the agriculture and livestock systems. Your responses will help UCCE provide the most relevant resources and materials that are suitable for your community. For questions, please contact cxnchen@ucanr.edu. Thank you!

Cindy Chen

UCCE, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties

Woody Biomass and Forest Products Advisor

(209) 533-6989

cxnchen@ucanr.edu