Staley Carbon Project

The Staley Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located in the Limestone Coast region of South Australia. Situated approximately 45km southwest of Bordertown and 40km north of Naracoorte, the project area covers 69.32 hectares. This region is a prominent agricultural hub known for its mixed farming systems, including broadacre cropping and livestock grazing (sheep and cattle). The project was registered on April 29, 2024, under the management of AgriProve Solutions, a leading developer in the Australian soil carbon market.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon Methodology (Measurement and Models), which credits landholders for measured increases in Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) stocks. The methodology requires a rigorous baseline measurement followed by ongoing monitoring to verify sequestration. To achieve this, the project employs activities such as transitioning from intensive tillage to reduced or no-tillage practices, retaining stubble after harvest to protect soil structure, and correcting material nutrient deficiencies using synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers. These regenerative practices are designed to boost plant growth and microbial activity, thereby sequestering atmospheric carbon into the soil.

Environmental conditions in this part of the Limestone Coast are generally favorable for dryland agriculture, characterized by a Mediterranean climate with medium reliable rainfall (typically 450mm–550mm annually). The soils in the area are often texture-contrast types, such as sandy loams over clay or calcareous soils ("terra rossa") over a limestone base, which can be highly responsive to improved organic matter management. This specific project likely represents a strategic trial or a specific high-potential paddock within a larger farming enterprise, given its focused size of just under 70 hectares.