Washington State University Launches $5M Study on the Effects of Hemp and Biochar on Soil Health

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In a March 13, 2025, news release, Washington State University (WSU) announced plans for a long-term study on the effects of biochar—partly burned timber or agricultural matter—and hemp rotations on crops, including corn, chickpeas, and wheat (1). The six-year-long study is supported by $5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy. Biochar, which can help improve soil quality, will be applied to fields in spring. More than a dozen biochar applications and two hemp rotations will be studied.

“Hemp and biochar are both potentially powerful tools for invigorating agricultural soils,” stated project leader David Gang, a fellow at WSU’s Institute of Biological Chemistry and director of the Center for Cannabis Policy, Research and Outreach (CCPRO), in the news release. “Together, they might amplify each other’s effects. We want to see how different combinations of hemp and biochar affect the entire cropping system over time and how beneficial these practices are for soil health.”

The CCPRO is comprised of more than 70 researchers and identifies four main themes for the center’s impact: the impact of cannabis on human and animal health and well-being, agricultural research on industrial hemp, impacts on public safety and policy, and research on economics and cannabis (2). Dr. Gang currently hold the university’s producer license for all hemp-related research on WSU property.

Several communities will be involved in the study, including farmers with the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, farmers with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and a private farmer in Tekoa, Washington, near the Idaho border. The effects of the crops on these farms, plus the emissions, soil health and ecosystem, will be measured and modeled through a collaboration with WSU, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and the University of Connecticut.

Additionally, soil measurement technology company Yard Stick PBC will assist with measuring carbon in the soil through the development of a spectrometer probe, real-time soil analysis, and learning models.

“Biochar’s role in the rapid, durable decarbonization of agricultural supply chains is very promising,” said Chris Tolles, Yard Stick CEO. “Our mission is to activate soils for climate and agricultural impact. We are thrilled to provide soil carbon measurement expertise to this innovative project and are grateful to the Department of Energy for their leadership.”

Complementing the effects of biochar, hemp plants will help future crops with access to water and looser soil while also removing dangerous chemicals. “By putting hemp and biochar together in the soil, we can use less fertilizer,” Gang added. “This combination of treatments will give plants better access to nutrients, save huge costs in energy and labor and decrease environmental impact.”

References

1. Truscott, S. New study takes long-term look at how biochar and hemp improve yields, crops https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2025/03/13/new-study-takes-long-term-look-at-how-biochar-and-hemp-improve-yields-crops/ (accessed March 18, 2025).
2. Washington State University. Center for Cannabis Policy, Research, and Outreach https://ccpro.wsu.edu/ (accessed March 18, 2025).