Orchard Carbon Project

The Orchard Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located in the locality of Green Hill, approximately 15 kilometers north of the town of Kyneton in central Victoria. Registered in February 2021, the project covers a land area of 191.72 hectares within the Macedon Ranges Shire. This region is predominantly utilized for agricultural grazing, particularly for sheep and cattle, owing to its rolling hills and reliable pastures.

Operated by Agriprove Solutions, the project functions under the Measurement of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Systems methodology. This method credits farmers for measurable increases in soil organic carbon stocks. To achieve this, the project proponent alters land management practices, specifically targeting the stocking rate, duration, and intensity of grazing. By optimizing these factors, the project aims to improve ground cover and root mass, which in turn draws more carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in the soil profile.

The environment in this part of the Macedon Ranges and North Central Victoria is characterized by a temperate climate with distinct seasonal rainfall, typically averaging between 600mm and 750mm annually. The soils in the area north of Kyneton generally transition from the rich volcanic basalts found further south to a mix of sedimentary clay loams and granitic sandy loams. These soil types usually respond well to regenerative grazing practices, offering good potential for carbon sequestration when pasture cover is maintained year-round.