Cherry Tree Organics Soil Carbon Project

Cherry Tree Organics Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located at the "Cherry Tree Downs" property in Tarwin Lower, approximately 165km southeast of Melbourne in the South Gippsland region of Victoria. It was registered in May 2017 and covers a project area of 476.41 hectares.

The project operates under the Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models (2021) methodology, having varied its method from the older 2014 grazing systems determination in April 2023. Soil carbon projects of this type involve implementing new agricultural management practices and using direct soil sampling combined with laboratory analysis to estimate the increase in soil organic carbon. For this project, activities include altering the stocking rate, duration, or intensity of grazing to promote vegetation cover and improve soil health. Additional activities involve applying nutrients to address material deficiencies and rejuvenating pasture through seeding or pasture cropping.

The South Gippsland area is historically renowned for beef, lamb, and dairy farming due to its highly favorable environmental conditions. The region experiences a temperate climate with plentiful, high annual rainfall. It features diverse and fertile soil types, ranging from deep clay loams to sandy Podosols and grey Dermosols, providing an excellent foundation for building organic matter.

The project proponent, Shane Blundy, is a pioneer in organic farming who operates Cherry Tree Organics. The decision to undertake soil carbon sequestration was inspired by a "light bulb" moment when Shane noticed a significant decline in soil biodiversity and birdlife while ploughing, compared to his childhood in the 1960s. By incorporating rotational grazing and resting the soil to allow microbial diversity to flourish, the project not only sequesters carbon but also supports the production of premium certified organic grass-fed beef and lamb, helping the farm on its path toward carbon neutrality.