Our Carbon Farm

Our Carbon Farm is a boutique environmental planting project located near the rural localities of Lal Lal and Clarendon, approximately 20 kilometers southeast of the major regional city of Ballarat in Victoria. Registered in November 2023, the project is situated within the Moorabool Shire and covers a very small area of just 0.45 hectares. This compact size suggests the project is likely integrated into a lifestyle property or a small-scale farm rather than a large commercial operation.

The project operates under the "Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings-FullCAM" methodology. This involves establishing permanent plantings of native tree species on land that was previously cleared for agricultural use, in this case, for at least five years prior to commencement. The methodology requires planting at densities sufficient to achieve forest cover (typically reaching over 2 meters in height with at least 20% canopy cover). Carbon sequestration is calculated using the FullCAM computer model rather than direct physical measurement.

The region surrounding Lal Lal is characterized by rolling hills and volcanic plains, historically known for gold mining and now predominantly used for mixed farming, grazing (sheep and cattle), and rural lifestyle living. The environment is cool temperate with reliable rainfall, often exceeding 700mm annually. The soils in this area are largely influenced by the region's volcanic history, consisting of fertile basalts, clays, and clay loams which are generally highly conducive to sustaining native vegetation.

An interesting aspect of this project is its proponent, Hannah Catherine Barbour Woods, who holds the registered business name "Our Carbon Farm." The specific use of a business name for such a small project area (under 1 acre) implies a strong personal branding or perhaps a pilot initiative intended to demonstrate carbon farming principles on a micro-scale.