Cherry Tree Organics Soil Carbon Project

Cherry Tree Organics Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located at Tarwin Lower in the South Gippsland region of Victoria, approximately 165 kilometers southeast of Melbourne. Registered in May 2017, the project covers a 476-hectare area on the property known as "Cherry Tree Downs," which is owned and operated by proponents Shane Blundy and Ann Blundy. The region is characterized by cattle and sheep grazing operations and is renowned for its lush, productive pastures.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models) Methodology Determination 2021. This methodology requires land managers to implement new or materially different activities to increase soil carbon stocks, which are then quantified through physical measurement and modeling. Originally registered under the 2014 soil carbon method, the project transitioned to the 2021 variation in April 2023. Specific activities undertaken on the farm include altering stocking rates to promote vegetation cover, applying organic nutrients to address deficiencies, and rejuvenating pastures to improve soil health.

The South Gippsland environment provides a high-rainfall climate ideal for carbon sequestration, with the proponents reporting annual rainfall exceeding 40 inches (approximately 1,000 mm). The local landscape typically features fertile soil profiles, often consisting of sandy loams and clay, which the project aims to enhance by promoting deeper root structures and microbial diversity. Notably, the project underpins the "Cherry Tree Organics" brand, a direct-to-consumer organic meat business. The Blundy family uses the carbon credits generated to substantiate their carbon-neutral claims, integrating their environmental stewardship directly into their commercial beef and lamb supply chain.