In 1997, the Koochiching SWCD partnered with Boise and MN Extension to apply wood ash from our local paper mill to local agricultural land as a liming agent.  Almost twelve years and over 150,000 tons of ash later, the program is still running strong! 

Here are some of the benefits…

• Beneficial reuse.  The ash has more than half the acid neutralizing ability of ag lime.  Ag lime has an ENP (Effective Neutralizing Power) of 1000 ENP per ton.  Boise wood ash, from burned tree bark, has ranged from 510 to 966 ENP per ton.
• Reduced landfill costs and improved environmental quality by removing large volumes from concentrated landfill disposal (averaging 22 tons per load up to 4 loads per day produced in Int’l Falls). 
• Cost savings for farmers.  The 2005 value per ton of ash equal to $37.53 of purchased farm lime and fertilizer (we estimate the current value to be over $50).  
• Contribution to environmental quality and soil conservation by improving the economics of perennial forage crops as alternatives to row crops on more sensitive sites.  Koochiching County's soil is often too acid for best production of forages and small grains.  Farmers have reported an average of 100%+ increase in crop yields of fields where wood ash was applied.  Reapplication is approximately 5-6 years.

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