The biochar conference, co-hosted by American Biochar Institute and U.S. Biochar Coalition, will gather the industry in New Orleans this November.
PORTLAND, Ore., Apr. 15, 2026 — The American Biochar Institute (ABI), an organization focused on developing end-use markets and standards for biochar, has partnered with the U.S. Biochar Coalition (USBC), a trade association, to co-host the 2026 North American Biochar Conference (NABC) in New Orleans, November 16–18.
In late March, ABI and USBC participated in dozens of meetings with House and Senate offices and federal agencies in Washington, D.C., where talks confirmed a shift from awareness to implementation in federal policy and programs. Policy dialogues centered on NRCS and U.S. Forest Service grant and incentive programs, as well as the EPA’s evolving regulatory framework for biochar production and application. While USBC focused on policy, ABI engaged with government agencies about standards and biochar end use markets.
These conversations will carry forward into the 2026 North American Biochar Conference where policy advocates, producers, end users, and other stakeholders across the industry will shape the next phase for the biochar ecosystem.
“We’re proud to partner with USBC on the upcoming conference. We see this as an opportunity to bring our organizations closer together and accelerate the growth of the biochar sector in North America,” said Myles Gray, Executive Director of ABI. “In this collaboration our work complements each other — ABI will focus on standards and markets and USBC will keep pulling on policy levers.”
The 2026 North American Biochar Conference will take place in New Orleans over three days to convene leaders from across the biochar ecosystem, including policymakers, farmers, engineers, researchers, and corporate stakeholders. The agenda will reflect biochar’s growing role in markets and policy, with sessions focused on end-use applications, standards, and pathways for scaling adoption through public and private investment. Hosted annually since 2009, NABC is the largest biochar conference in the US and is expected to draw approximately 1,000 professionals this year.
“We are thrilled to partner on the North American Biochar Conference. This collaboration comes at a time of incredible synergy between our organizations as we work to build a unified industry and to break down those silos,” said Maureen Walsh, Executive Director of USBC. “The NABC serves as the essential hub for biochar innovation and cross-sector collaboration. By fostering this environment, we are capturing the true momentum of our industry and providing the structured, collaborative roadmap necessary for professionals to scale their impact.”
More information about the North American Biochar Conference is available at: biocharconference.com
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American Biochar Institute (ABI) is a not-for-profit organization focused on developing end-use markets for biochar in the United States. ABI works to advance the production and use of biochar in industrial, agricultural and infrastructure markets to reduce biomass waste, develop economic circularity, and support rural communities. ABI has a mission to deliver independent, science-based information, technical assistance, and standards on biochar.
