Sombroek came across Terra preta in the 1950s and it reminded him of the soil from his childhood , inspiring him to study it further .
Sombroek 's father , in turn , improved the land by sowing it with the ash and cinders from their home .
Sombroek came across Terra preta in the 1950s and it reminded Sombroek of the soil from Sombroek 's childhood , inspiring him to study it further .
Sombroek 's father , in turn , improved the land by sowing it with the ash and cinders from their home .