AFIC Soil Carbon Project

AFIC Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located across multiple properties in the Grampians and Southern Wimmera region of Western Victoria. The project area spans approximately 632 hectares, with sites situated near Balmoral, Wartook, and the Victoria Valley, roughly 50 kilometers south of the major regional center of Horsham. It was registered in May 2025 by Grampians Wildflowers Pty Ltd, acting as the trustee for the Australian Flower Investment Company.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Measurement and Models), which credits landholders for increasing soil organic carbon levels through specific management activities. For this project, the primary activity involves applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address material soil deficiencies. This approach aims to boost plant growth and root biomass, thereby sequestering more carbon into the soil profile. The project engages Precision Pastures as the service provider to manage soil sampling and compliance.

The region typically experiences a temperate climate with a strong Mediterranean influence, characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Rainfall in the area generally ranges between 500mm and 700mm annually, often higher near the Grampians ranges. The soil composition in this locality is varied but frequently includes sandy loams and duplex soils derived from the surrounding sandstone geology. These acidic, sandy soils are particularly well-suited for floriculture, which aligns with the proponent's primary business of growing Australian wildflowers such as Proteaceae for commercial sale.