Grain Ecosystem

The recording of our recent webinar, Biochar in Bloom: Lessons from Okaw Valley Orchard, is now available. 

Last week’s Biochar in Bloom webinar spotlighted Mike Mitchell, owner of Okaw Valley Orchard and founder of Mike’s Mighty Micros, who shared his firsthand experience with integrating biochar into orchard management. Hosted by Grain Ecosystem co-founder Jason Dodier, the conversation explored how traditional practices and regenerative tools can work together to restore soil health, improve resilience, and strengthen local food systems.  

Okaw Valley Orchard is a fourth-generation family-run orchard in Sullivan, Illinois, home to more than 1,500 fruit trees and 27 varieties of apples, peaches, plums, and pears. Known for its cider, donuts, and “you-pick” experiences, the orchard is also becoming a living laboratory for soil health innovation. 

When Mike and his wife took over the orchard, they inherited both a rich family legacy and some aging trees that weren’t producing as they used to. After replanting, Mike noticed the new trees weren’t growing as expected. Despite consulting universities and other orchards, he couldn’t find a clear answer, until a chance encounter with a customer, a retired farmer, connected him to Brian, a regenerative agronomist who would become his mentor and collaborator.  

The turning point: a micronutrient blend that brought trees back to life 

Brian introduced Mike to the importance of trace minerals and micronutrients, sharing a custom foliar blend he had developed through years of research. The results were immediate: “They burst to life,” Mike recalled. All the trees “put on new growth, turned green, and started blooming. And it wasn’t just a couple of them; it was all the trees that I planted. All 200 trees did the same thing.” 

That experience became the foundation of Mike’s Mighty Micros, a brand and philosophy rooted in the idea that when you feed the soil, the soil feeds the plant. 

The three ingredients for thriving soil 

 When asked what he now considers essential for healthy soil, Mike didn’t hesitate: “Biochar, worm castings, and compost.” 

After learning how decades of tree growth had depleted the orchard’s soil, Mike realized that fertilizer alone couldn’t restore what was missing. By combining biochar with organic matter and microbial life, he began rebuilding soil structure and fertility from the ground up. 

As Mike explained during the webinar: “Biochar keeps the ground less compacted, more aerated, more ideal for worms to be in. So they’re in there doing their thing, digging tunnels, pooping in them, and fertilizing for you for free.”  

Biochar, he explained, acts as a soil amendment, not a replacement. It provides structure, porosity, and habitat for microorganisms. Compost and worm castings supply nutrients and active biology. Together, they create a living soil system that improves water retention, nutrient cycling, and long-term fertility. 

The benefits have been visible and measurable. Even during drought conditions, Mike’s orchard has shown clear improvements in resilience and water retention. “Right now, we’re in a drought here in central Illinois. We’re twelve inches behind on rain,” he said. “The ground is like concrete. But under my trees, where I’ve got biochar and mulch, it’s holding moisture. I haven’t watered this year, and the new trees I planted this spring are still green.” 

He noted that his trees now stay green longer into the season: “My apple trees will stay green until the end of November. The other trees drop their leaves, but the apple trees under this system hold on. They stay alive longer.” 

Beyond resilience, Mike highlighted something less often measured but instantly recognizable: flavor. “Once you’ve had a fruit or vegetable that’s fully genetically expressed — with every mineral it needs — the flavor is second to none. When you bite into one of my apples, the flavor hits you. It’s juicy. It’s all there.”  

Biochar In Bloom Photos

Lessons for farmers and biochar producers 

Beyond the orchard, Mike’s experience offers valuable guidance for both farmers using biochar and producers supplying it:  

A family legacy, rooted in regeneration 

Today, Okaw Valley Orchard continues to be a thriving family business, with Mike’s children and grandchildren all involved. What started as an effort to save a few struggling trees has grown into a model for how small farms can embrace circular, regenerative systems, proving that soil innovation can strengthen both local economies and community connections. 

 “Healthy soil, healthy plants, healthy people. That’s the cycle we’re working to protect,” Mike shared. 

Mark your calendars! Our next webinar is coming up on November 6 with a new topic and guest. Stay tuned. 

How a fourth-generation orchardist is using biochar, compost, and worm castings to rebuild his soil, and grow stronger, more resilient trees. 

carbon_partner_plus

origination

internal

member

free

<p></p><p>The recording of our recent webinar, Biochar in Bloom: Lessons from Okaw Valley Orchard, is now available. </p><p><iframe width="1905" height="748" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0Ioxo8W65ww" title="Biochar in Bloom: Lessons from Okaw Valley Orchard | Webinar with Mike Mitchell" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/0Ioxo8W65ww" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>If you can’t see the video above, click here to watch the full recording directly on YouTube. </em></a></p><p>Last week’s Biochar in Bloom webinar spotlighted Mike Mitchell, owner of Okaw Valley Orchard and founder of Mike’s Mighty Micros, who shared his firsthand experience with integrating biochar into orchard management. Hosted by Grain Ecosystem co-founder Jason Dodier, the conversation explored how traditional practices and regenerative tools can work together to restore soil health, improve resilience, and strengthen local food systems.  </p><h2>From family legacy to soil innovation </h2><p>Okaw Valley Orchard is a fourth-generation family-run orchard in Sullivan, Illinois, home to more than 1,500 fruit trees and 27 varieties of apples, peaches, plums, and pears. Known for its cider, donuts, and “you-pick” experiences, the orchard is also becoming a living laboratory for soil health innovation. </p><p>When Mike and his wife took over the orchard, they inherited both a rich family legacy and some aging trees that weren’t producing as they used to. After replanting, Mike noticed the new trees weren’t growing as expected. Despite consulting universities and other orchards, he couldn’t find a clear answer, until a chance encounter with a customer, a retired farmer, connected him to Brian, a regenerative agronomist who would become his mentor and collaborator.  </p><h2>The turning point: a micronutrient blend that brought trees back to life </h2><p>Brian introduced Mike to the importance of trace minerals and micronutrients, sharing a custom foliar blend he had developed through years of research. The results were immediate: “They burst to life,” Mike recalled. All the trees “put on new growth, turned green, and started blooming. And it wasn’t just a couple of them; it was all the trees that I planted. All 200 trees did the same thing.” </p><p>That experience became the foundation of Mike’s Mighty Micros, a brand and philosophy rooted in the idea that when you feed the soil, the soil feeds the plant. </p><h2>The three ingredients for thriving soil </h2><p> When asked what he now considers essential for healthy soil, Mike didn’t hesitate: “Biochar, worm castings, and compost.” </p><p>After learning how decades of tree growth had depleted the orchard’s soil, Mike realized that fertilizer alone couldn’t restore what was missing. By combining biochar with organic matter and microbial life, he began rebuilding soil structure and fertility from the ground up. </p><p>As Mike explained during the webinar: “Biochar keeps the ground less compacted, more aerated, more ideal for worms to be in. So they’re in there doing their thing, digging tunnels, pooping in them, and fertilizing for you for free.”  </p><p>Biochar, he explained, acts as a soil amendment, not a replacement. It provides structure, porosity, and habitat for microorganisms. Compost and worm castings supply nutrients and active biology. Together, they create a living soil system that improves water retention, nutrient cycling, and long-term fertility. </p><h2>Real results in the orchard </h2><p>The benefits have been visible and measurable. Even during drought conditions, Mike’s orchard has shown clear improvements in resilience and water retention. “Right now, we’re in a drought here in central Illinois. We’re twelve inches behind on rain,” he said. “The ground is like concrete. But under my trees, where I’ve got biochar and mulch, it’s holding moisture. I haven’t watered this year, and the new trees I planted this spring are still green.” </p><p>He noted that his trees now stay green longer into the season: “My apple trees will stay green until the end of November. The other trees drop their leaves, but the apple trees under this system hold on. They stay alive longer.” </p><p>Beyond resilience, Mike highlighted something less often measured but instantly recognizable: flavor. “Once you’ve had a fruit or vegetable that’s fully genetically expressed — with every mineral it needs — the flavor is second to none. When you bite into one of my apples, the flavor hits you. It’s juicy. It’s all there.”  </p><img src="/media/BiocharInBloomPhotos.jpg" alt="BiocharInBloomPhotos.jpg" width="900"  height="506"/><p></p><h2>Lessons for farmers and biochar producers </h2><p>Beyond the orchard, Mike’s experience offers valuable guidance for both farmers using biochar and producers supplying it:  </p><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Not all biochar is created equal. Feedstock matters. Manure-based biochar tends to offer higher nutrient content and better results than wood-only char.  </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Mix, don’t mound. Biochar must be incorporated into the soil, not concentrated in planting holes. </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Start small but consistent. Mike recommends 1,000–2,000 lbs per acre depending on soil type, integrated with compost and organic material. </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Think long term. “You get about three years of nutrient value from manure-based biochar alone,” he explained. “But when you combine it with microbial life, that benefit extends much further.” </li></ul><h2>A family legacy, rooted in regeneration </h2><p>Today, Okaw Valley Orchard continues to be a thriving family business, with Mike’s children and grandchildren all involved. What started as an effort to save a few struggling trees has grown into a model for how small farms can embrace circular, regenerative systems, proving that soil innovation can strengthen both local economies and community connections. </p><p> “Healthy soil, healthy plants, healthy people. That’s the cycle we’re working to protect,” Mike shared. </p><p>--- </p><p>Mark your calendars! Our next webinar is coming up on November 6 with a new topic and guest. Stay tuned. </p><h2>Related content: Grain Webinars </h2><ul class="bullet"><li value=1><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/6883a7802492b585355e77ee" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Green Bridge: Non-Traditional Finance for Biochar</a></li><li value=2><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/67b75ae223e6759660f119ad" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Advancing CDR: From Start-Up to Scale-Up</a></li><li value=3><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/6751f73e593a512d338ee036" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Building Biochar Markets for Value & Scale: Webinar Recap</a></li><li value=4><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/67092f5e79685344119a953f" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dirt to Dollars. Unearthing the Science of Sustainable Investment</a></li></ul>

Biochar in Bloom: Lessons from Okaw Valley Orchard 

ProjectSupplyChainStageDesc

ProjectTechnologyStageDesc

ProjectBiocharOfftakeStageeDesc

ProjectOffsetPurchaseStageDesc

ProjectCarbonPartnerStageDesc

Internal High Impact

Internal Scan and/or Medium Impact

External - Low impact

External - DNS Query Only

Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)

Unsafe Cross-Origin Resource Sharing

HTTP Request Smuggling

Path Traversal

Sensitive Data Exposure

Non-Sensitive Data Exposure

Directory Listing Enabled

Same-Site Scripting

SSL Attack (BREACH, POODLE etc.)

Using Default Credentials

Basic Subdomain Takeover

High Impact Subdomain Takeover

Zone Transfer

Missing Certification Authority Authorization (CAA) Record

Misconfigured DNS

No Spoofing Protection on Email Domain

Email Spoofing to Inbox due to Missing or Misconfigured DMARC on Email Domain

Email Spoofing to Spam Folder

Missing or Misconfigured SPF and/or DKIM

Email Spoofing on Non-Email Domain

Mail Server Misconfiguration

Excessively Privileged User / DBA

Database Management System (DBMS) Misconfiguration

Change Email Address

Change Password

Delete Account

Manage 2FA

Lack of Password Confirmation

Registration

Login

Email-Triggering

SMS-Triggering

No Rate Limiting on Form

No Antivirus

No Size Limit

File Extension Filter Bypass

Unsafe File Upload

Cookie Scoped to Parent Domain

Session Token

Non-Session Cookie

Missing Secure or HTTPOnly Cookie Flag

Sensitive Click-Based Action

Form Input

Non-Sensitive Action

Clickjacking

Account Takeover

Account Squatting

Missing/Broken State Parameter

Insecure Redirect URI

OAuth Misconfiguration

Implementation Vulnerability

Brute Force

Missing

CAPTCHA

To Internet

Exposed Admin Portal

Missing DNSSEC

Fingerprinting/Banner Disclosure

Username/Email Enumeration

OPTIONS

TRACE

Potentially Unsafe HTTP Method Enabled

Lack of Forward Secrecy

Insecure Cipher Suite

Certificate Error

Insecure SSL

Reflected File Download (RFD)

X-Frame-Options

Cache-Control for a Non-Sensitive Page

X-XSS-Protection

Strict-Transport-Security

X-Content-Type-Options

Content-Security-Policy

Public-Key-Pins

X-Content-Security-Policy

X-Webkit-CSP

Content-Security-Policy-Report-Only

Cache-Control for a Sensitive Page

Lack of Security Headers

Direct Server Access

Web Application Firewall (WAF) Bypass

Race Condition

Cache Poisoning

Bitsquatting

Server Security Misconfiguration

Local

File Inclusion

Social Media Sharing Buttons

Parameter Pollution

Remote Code Execution (RCE)

LDAP Injection

SQL Injection

XML External Entity Injection (XXE)

Response Splitting (CRLF)

HTTP Response Manipulation

iframe Injection

Impersonation via Broken Link Hijacking

External Authentication Injection

Flash Based External Authentication Injection

HTML Content Injection

Email HTML Injection

Email Hyperlink Injection Based on Email Provider

Text Injection

Homograph/IDN-Based

Right-to-Left Override (RTLO)

Content Spoofing

Basic

Custom

Server-Side Template Injection (SSTI)

Server-Side Injection

Authentication Bypass

Second Factor Authentication (2FA) Bypass

Privilege Escalation

Cleartext Transmission of Session Token

Not Operational or Intended Public Access

Other Plaintext Protocol with no Secure Alternative

Over HTTP

Weak Login Function

Remote Attack Vector

Local Attack Vector

Session Fixation

On Logout (Client and Server-Side)

On Permission Change

On Logout (Server-Side Only)

On Password Reset and/or Change

Concurrent Sessions On Logout

On Email Change

On 2FA Activation/Change

Long Timeout

Failure to Invalidate Session

Concurrent Logins

Weak Registration Implementation

Broken Authentication and Session Management

For Publicly Accessible Asset

PII Leakage/Exposure

For Internal Asset

Pay-Per-Use Abuse

Intentionally Public, Sample or Invalid

Data/Traffic Spam

Non-Corporate User

Disclosure of Secrets

Automatic User Enumeration

Manual User Enumeration

EXIF Geolocation Data Not Stripped From Uploaded Images

Detailed Server Configuration

Full Path Disclosure

Descriptive Stack Trace

Visible Detailed Error/Debug Page

Disclosure of Known Public Information

Trusted 3rd Party

Untrusted 3rd Party

Token Leakage via Referer

User Facing

In the Background

On Password Reset

Sensitive Token in URL

Non-Sensitive Token in URL

Password Reset Token Sent Over HTTP

Token Leakage via Host Header Poisoning

Weak Password Reset Implementation