Denmark cattle farmers Michael and Laura Sinclair will make their operations more sustainable and profitable through carbon farming.

They are among 43 landowners, including three Aboriginal enterprise properties, seeking Carbon for Farmers Vouchers of up to $15,000 so they can gain advice and develop carbon-farming plans.

These plans will support the alignment of any potential carbon farming with broader farm management plans.

The Sinclair property, Hallowell Springs, is seeking a small-scale voucher of $5000 to investigate the revegetation of unproductive areas to improve soil, water and biodiversity.

Through the voucher, the Sinclairs will take their first steps towards integrating carbon farming through multi-species tree planting, improved soil health, water retention and biodiversity.

The State Government is providing more than $500,000 in funding to WA farmers to help transform their businesses through carbon farming.

This refers to activities that help offset emissions by storing carbon in trees and soil.

Carbon farming advice includes soil monitoring, implementing revegetation strategies and undertaking a farm business analysis.

In WA, carbon farming is an emerging industry, which aims to make a significant difference to Australia’s climate crisis.

Carbon farming can also have major economic benefits through the generation of tradeable carbon credits, which can be sold to secondary markets looking to offset emissions.

More than 100 vouchers have been distributed over the past 18 months.

Gingin farmer and Silverstream Wines owner Tony Ruse used his 2022 voucher to examine how planting diverse shelter belts increases biodiversity, capture carbon, reduce wind erosion and improve soil carbon levels.

Those who embark on carbon farming may be eligible for future funding through the WA Government’s $15 million Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program.

This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 21 December 2023.