Chatsworth House Carbon Pty Ltd ATF Chatsworth House Carbon Trust

Chatsworth House Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located at the historic Chatsworth House property in the Western District of Victoria, approximately 45km east of Hamilton and 20km north of Mortlake. The project was registered in February 2021 and covers a substantial area of 2,339 hectares. The property is currently operated by Chatsworth House Pastoral Co, led by Tom and Sarah Whinney, who manage a mixed sheep and cattle operation with a strong focus on regenerative agriculture.

The project operates under the Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models methodology. This method credits carbon stored in agricultural soils by measuring baseline levels and implementing new management activities, such as the application of nutrients (fertilizers) to address deficiencies, that increase biomass production and soil organic matter. The project originally operated under the 2018 measurement-only method before transitioning to the 2021 hybrid method, which allows for a combination of physical soil sampling and modeling to determine carbon abatement.

The region is characterized by the fertile Victorian Volcanic Plains, known for their productive basalt-derived clay and loam soils. The environment typically experiences a high rainfall classification, supporting intensive grazing and cropping systems. Chatsworth House itself is a property of significant local history, established in 1859 by John Moffat, and the current owners utilize the carbon project to underpin their holistic management philosophy, viewing livestock as a tool to regenerate the landscape.