Ogden Carbon Project

The Ogden Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located in the historic Hartley Valley of New South Wales, approximately 12 kilometers southeast of Lithgow and 5 kilometers west of the Blue Mountains town of Mount Victoria. Registered in January 2021, the project covers 103.86 hectares of agricultural land within the Lithgow City Council local government area.

The project operates under the 2018 "Measurement of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Systems" methodology. This method awards carbon credits (ACCUs) to farmers who can demonstrate a measurable increase in soil organic carbon over time compared to a baseline. To achieve this, the project involves altering the stocking rate, duration, or intensity of grazing. This typically implies a shift toward regenerative grazing practices, such as time-controlled or rotational grazing, designed to improve ground cover, stimulate root growth, and naturally build soil carbon stocks.

Situated in the Central Tablelands region, the project area experiences a cool temperate climate with reliable annual rainfall, generally averaging between 800mm and 900mm. The Hartley Valley is geologically distinct, characterized by a fertile valley floor containing alluvial and colluvial soils derived from the surrounding sandstone escarpments and granite intrusions. These soil types, often sandy loams or clay loams, are well-suited to grazing but can be acidic; improving their carbon content is a key strategy for enhancing water retention and pasture productivity.

The project is managed by AgriProve Solutions, a prominent soil carbon project developer in Australia. While specific details on the landowner's operations are private, the project is part of a broader wave of "carbon farming" in the region, where landholders integrate carbon revenue with traditional cattle or sheep grazing. The "Ogden" name likely refers to the participating landholder family or the property title.