Turning Waste into Smarter Soil Solutions

In 2025, AgroNet ZERO partnered with Purdue University through the Applied Research Institute (ARI) to explore how agricultural and food waste can be transformed into high-value soil solutions.

Our project focused on two abundant materials:

• Poultry manure (from farms like Minnich Eggs)

• Spent coffee grounds (SCG) (from food and beverage sources)

Using controlled thermal processing (pyrolysis), we converted these materials into biochar—a carbon-rich soil amendment that can improve soil health, nutrient retention, and water efficiency.

What We Did

Over the course of the project, we:

• Analyzed raw feedstocks to understand nutrient content, moisture, and variability

• Produced multiple biochar samples from manure, coffee grounds, and blended combinations

• Tested key properties such as pH, nutrients, carbon stability, and structure

• Developed a predictive model that estimates biochar properties based on feedstock mix and production conditions

What We Learned

• Poultry manure produces nutrient-rich, high-pH biochar

• Coffee grounds contribute structure and balance, helping improve consistency and physical properties

• Blending these materials creates more balanced and potentially higher-performing biochar products

• Biochar performance depends not just on one metric (like surface area), but on a combination of structure, chemistry, and processing conditions

This research helps us move toward a future where:

• Waste streams are converted into valuable agricultural inputs

• Farmers can apply targeted, data-driven soil solutions

• Biochar products are designed for specific soil needs and performance outcomes

Ultimately, this work supports AgroNet ZERO’s mission to build a decision-driven marketplace for regenerative inputs, where science, data, and real-world application come together.