Julie Major

Julie Major, Ph.D. Candidate
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University

"There is always more misery among the lower classes than there is humanity among the higher."

-Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

I am presently completing a Ph.D. degree at Cornell University. My dissertation work involves better understanding how biochar can help us improve the way we grow crops while sequestering carbon in soils. I also enjoy getting involved with the Latin community.

For more information about my academic background, work, and interests, please use the links at the top of the page to read more.

Interests

My career interests include working for the improvement of the quality of life of small farmers in developing countries. I intend on working for a non-profit organization or a research institution on projects that can directly make a difference in the lives of small farmers. I am particularly interested in promoting the use of biochar as a soil amendment. Beyond environmental benefits which include long term C sequestration in soil and a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases, direct benefits for small farmers include higher crop productivity and potentially increased income from C sequestration.

Recent Work

Book chapter in preparation: Major J, Lehmann C, Steiner C, Downie A. Biochar effects on nutrient leaching. In: Lehmann C and Joseph S (Eds). Biochar for Environmental Management: Science and Technology (tentative).
Biochar and its use in the managed landscape: talk given to the Ecological Lanscaping Association in Springfield, MA (March 2008).
Biochar use in agriculture: workshop given to field staff of NGO Sustainable Harvest International in Honduras (January 2008). See page 4 of SHI's newsletter.
Radio interview on biochar: listen to an MP3 version of a May 2007 live interview on WVBR (93.5 FM Ithaca) where I explain the benefits of biochar. Click on the first blue "MP3" button. The file is for the whole radio show, my interview starts at 15:10 minutes.
Major J, DiTommaso A, Lehmann J, Falcão, NPS. 2005.
"Weed seedbanks, flora and dynamics on Amazonian Dark Earth and adjacent soils in the central Brazilian Amazon."
Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 111: 1-12.

Recent Awards

January 2008: NSF-IGERT Small Grant , Program in Biogeochemistry and Environmental Biocomplexity, Cornell University

September 2005-May 2008: Canada Graduate Scholarship, Government of Canada (stipend, prestigious award for top-ranking applicants to the wider program)