Johnniefelds Soil Carbon Project

Johnniefelds Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located on the "Johnniefelds" property near Marulan, approximately 25 kilometers northeast of Goulburn in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. Registered on June 4, 2024, the project covers a 445-hectare area within a region traditionally renowned for fine wool and beef cattle grazing. The property itself has been historically marketed as high-quality grazing country featuring rich rolling agricultural lands.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology, which credits landholders for measurable increases in soil organic carbon. To achieve this, the project proponent, Twynam Investments, has implemented a suite of regenerative activities designed to boost soil health and plant growth. These activities include applying ameliorants like lime and gypsum to correct soil acidity or sodicity, using synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address nutrient deficiencies, and rejuvenating pastures by seeding legumes. Additionally, the project involves altering grazing intensity and duration to maintain ground cover and encourage root mass accumulation, which is critical for sequestering carbon deep in the soil profile.

The surrounding Goulburn Mulwaree region typically experiences a temperate climate with an average annual rainfall of around 620mm. The soils in this area are generally a mix of loams and clays derived from sedimentary and granitic landscapes, often requiring management interventions like those proposed in this project to maximize productivity. An interesting note is the proponent, Twynam Investments; led by the Kahlbetzer family, Twynam is a major historic player in Australian agriculture that has pivoted significantly toward "climate tech" and regenerative farming in recent years, viewing projects like this as part of a broader strategy to decarbonize their portfolio.