You have heard of carbon neutral, but two Swedish farmers are aiming even higher with plans to build an educational “Eco Barn” center and farming operation that is carbon negative. Using a method called pyrolysis the couple will turn organic matter into usable gas to fuel their farm, and biochar to nourish their crops.
Julia and Carl Lindeborg have undertaken a huge project with their property just outside of Stockholm. A hundred year-old, iconic red barn will be the future site of the Eco Barn, part organic farm and part learning center for sustainable agriculture practices. The setting is being renovated with timber harvested from the surrounding forest and will be outfitted with guest lodging, a greenhouse, a classroom, and a farm to table restaurant serving plant-based food grown on the grounds.
The couple has visions of individual and group retreat guests visiting the space for yoga workshops, cooking classes, and sustainability seminars, yet there is a lot of work to do before their vision becomes a reality. There are two Indiegogo campaigns underway for the site – one for the Eco Barn Project and the other for the carbon negative campaign to power it all.
During the dark, Scandinavian winters the farm does not get enough sun to be powered by solar panels alone (yet the farm does feature some). The Lindeborgs are looking for help in financing research and development to use pyrolysis to power the farm. This method uses materials such as wood chips and other organic matter as fuel. Through a special heating process, gas is produced to fuel the sterling engines that will keep the farm running year-round. Mineral-rich biochar is also produced, yet not burned to release its carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The biochar is instead collected and put right back into the soil. This cycle nourishes the soil for future crops, creating a carbon negative effect.
The Lindeborgs’ farm is already off to a great start toward its mission of becoming a beacon of Earth-friendly farming. Both Julia and Carl have incorporated permaculture design into the space and Julia is a trained beekeeper. She says, “Our ultimate ambition is to inspire both producers and consumers to make sustainable choices for the whole ecosystem.” In the years to come, and with the help of crowdfunding, the Eco Barn will soon become a reality.
Images via Julia and Carl Lindeborg