Program

CARBON FARMING 101 WORKSHOP

 Tony Hill, Land to Market Australia and Louisa Kiely, Carbon Farmers of Australia

Want to get up to speed before the Conference? Get a handle on the language?
This is a great Plain English Introduction… EG: what is a Method? – what is a Project? – what is a Carbon Farm Plan? How do I increase the carbon flows and biodiversity measurements on farm? What markets are there?

Land to Market Australia delivers Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) in Australia as a designated Hub of the worldwide Savory Network. EOV is a breakthrough approach to monitoring and verifying whether the ecological health of farmland is improving or not. The robust verification data then gives businesses and consumers the opportunity to support healthy agricultural production through their spending choices, with the branding of Land to Market Australia. EOV data also provides farmers will robust information to support their management decisions, and understand the way that healthy ecosystems support soil carbon and biodiversity.

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WELCOME EVENT

Mingle with Conference Speakers, Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Delegates. Enjoy delicious nibbles and wine whilst catching up with old friends and making new ones.

We also welcome Samantha Jewel as she introduces her brand new app for Carbon Farming: urth.io. Come and hear how it will contribute to the industry.

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Expo (now 39 trade displays!) and registration opens at 7:30am. Network with speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and other delegates. Great coffee carts sponsored by South Pole and FarmLab, settle in. Ask exhibitors what they can do for your bottom line.

We develop and finance projects around the world that reduce carbon emissions, protect biodiversity, and bring real benefits to local communities.

FarmLab was started in 2016 with the aim of digitising the earth’s soil. Since then, we’ve created a platform to help agronomists, consultants and farmers better map, sample, and analyse soil using the latest in soil science and digital soil mapping techniques.

THE ‘FARM OF THE FUTURE’ IS HERE

The ‘farm of the future’ is here. Prepare to be inspired at how farmers are being rewarded now in the Carbon and Biodiversity Markets. Expert Speakers, New Methods, International Markets. Learn what the future demand for Carbon Credits will be. Has COP26 improved market access for Farmers?

INTRODUCTION

Be inspired as we start our program with an uplifting beginning. We will set the scene for the conference by demonstrating the connection of all things.

This session will include introductions to Session Moderators including Louisa Kiely (Director & CEO, Carbon Farmers of Australia), Lorraine Gordon (Southern Cross University), and Matthew Warnken (Managing Director, AgriProve: Soil Carbon Solutions). It will also include the Welcome to Country, and explain how the sessions will run.

Louisa Kiely

Lorraine Gordon

Matthew Warnken

DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE POLICY SETTINGS AND MECHANISMS, AND THE ROAD AHEAD

Moderator: Matthew Warnken, Agriprove

International and domestic climate change policy mechanisms and trading options update

Brad Kerin, Carbon Market Institute

Brad Kerin

Update on the domestic Emissions Reduction Fund and the Climate Solutions Fund – the mechanism which allows Farmers to earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).

• What is the role of the Paris Agreement – and COP26? Australia already has a $2 billion Carbon Farming and Trading industry. What difference has COP26 made? Where to from here?
• What are the mechanisms?
• What opportunities does this mean for Australian Farmers?
• What is the role of the CMI?

Pioneering solutions supporting the circular economy and transitioning farmers and industry to net carbon zero

Jennifer Lauber Patterson, Frontier Impact Group

Jennifer Lauber Patterson

Jennifer has a 30-year track record in climate solutions. Jen facilitated some of Australia’s first carbon trades more than 20 years ago. Today she is working on integrating a whole of farm regenerative approach to carbon projects with her vision for regional bioenergy hubs and aims to produce zero-carbon fuels to boost regional fuel security. The first regional biorefinery will enter construction in Narrogin, WA, in early 2023 and will aim to regenerate a minimum of 50,000 hectares of land in the local region.

Working together to solve complex environmental challenges

🎙️ Lorraine Gordon, Founder Regenerative Agriculture Alliance, and Farming Together Project Director at Southern Cross University

Lorraine Gordon

The Regenerative Ag. Alliance believes collaboration is the key to the Regenerative Agriculture movement. The Alliance is bringing together the leading practitioners and researchers to address the issues facing Agriculture and the World today. Lorraine will update us on the importance of the Alliance and their current projects.

Meat & Livestock Australia

Margaret Jewell, Carbon Neutral 2030 (CN30) Manager at Meat & Livestock Australia

Margaret Jewell

MLA has a Target of being Carbon Neutral by 2030. We have invited them to present on how this will be achieved. The speaker will cover pathways MLA have identified and what this means for landholders. Will landholders supply Credits to the MLA?

Raphael Wood, Market Advisory Group

Raphael Wood

The world’s carbon markets are a rapidly growing and dynamic space. The speaker will outline the basics of the demand side of the Australian carbon market that farmers may want to engage in. We will look at the various market drivers, pricing, the current scale of demand, and emerging demands.

Session 1 Q & A

We’ll be using Sli-do for questions, so get familiar if you haven’t used it yet: sli.do. We will set you up at the conference as well.

Morning Tea in the Expo Area (great tea and coffee and now 39 trade displays!) These exhibitors are keen to answer all your carbon farming questions. Take your cuppa with you and ask all the hard ones! 😊

SOIL CARBON: THE WORLD’S LARGEST CARBON SINK OVER WHICH WE HAVE CONTROL – HARNESSING ITS POTENTIAL

EVOLUTION IN METHODS/MEASUREMENT/TRADING REVEALED

MODERATOR: Louisa Kiely, Carbon Farmers of Australia

CSIRO Carbon Farming Discovery Tools update

Cara Stitzlein, CSIRO

Cara Stitzlein

To help people explore possibilities for carbon abatement and biodiversity assessment, two CSIRO built tools will be presented. Designed to provide quick and useful estimates, these tools provide clarity around the available options and likely changes for different land management practices. Come try the tools (LOOC-C and LOOC-B) at the CSIRO booth.

Mainstreaming the Soil Carbon Trade – an update from Australia’s premier Soil Carbon Project Developer

🎙️ Matthew Warnken, AgriProve

Matthew Warnken

Matthew has made it his business to understand what the election will mean (from a change of government, to re-election of the current government) for the Carbon Farming Industry. So, he will be following the results very carefully (as maybe many of us will be).
 
Matthew will be able to explain what the results mean matter who wins. Just days after the election, he will analyse known results for their importance in the Soil Carbon and Carbon Farming Space.

Lunch in the Expo Area (great tea and coffee and now 39 trade displays!)

Have you made any deals yet?

Alternate opportunities for the agriculture sector

🎙️ Cathy Waters, NSW DPI

Cathy Waters

Cathy is a Principal Research Scientist and Leader of Climate Research in NSW DPI. Cathy’s current research aims to increase carbon farming opportunities for primary industries by identifying where carbon farming can be integrated into current agricultural production, and towards Carbon Trading.

This research has culminated in March 2022, Treasurer Kean announced the NSW Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program (PIPAP) which will invest some $125 million to grow primary industries and support the transition to a low carbon future.

Carbon and Cropping from a farmer’s perspective

Tegan Nock, Loam Bio

Tegan Nock

So, what of those who give us crops? Can they increase Soil C?

Microbial soil sequestration promises to be one of the most elegant carbon removal solutions, as it is quick, globally scalable, and provides huge benefits for growers. A farmer coats their seeds with the microbial inoculum before sowing and the plants and the microbes work together to build carbon in the soil and keep it there. Building soil carbon in this way has additional benefits, such as increased soil health, nutrient-rich crops, and higher yields, which boost the bottom line for growers and provide a path for generating high-quality carbon offsets.

What is the Farmers Mutual and is it for me?

Andrew ‘Wardy’ Ward, Regen Farmers Mutual

Andrew Ward

A farmer-owned mutual enables farmers to aggregate their market power to better engage in Environmental Goods & Services (EG&S) markets. Shared ownership of the infrastructure also enables greater efficiencies in training, execution, and compliance, and broadens the types of transactions and the value captured from data and provenance. Most importantly, it creates a mechanism to attract private sector capital to invest in credible, and appropriately structured transactions.

Afternoon Tea in the Expo Area (great tea and coffee and now 39 trade displays!) Continue your questions/discussions with the Exhibitors in the Expo area.

To go carbon neutral, or to sell a carbon credit

Louisa Kiely, Director, Carbon Farmers of Australia

Louisa Kiely

To go Carbon Neutral is a cost. A carbon credit represents an income stream. Louisa will explore the benefits of each, the discussion about potential mandatory carbon neutrality or an international carbon tariff, and how to turn the situation around to favour farmers.

 Samantha Jewel, URTH

Sam Jewel

Sam will introduce her brand new app for Carbon Farming: urth.io. Come and hear how it will contribute to the industry.

Session Q & A

We’ll be using Sli-do for questions, so get familiar if you haven’t used it yet: sli.do. We will set you up at the conference as well.

SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY PRESENTS THE

2022 NATIONAL CARBON FARMING CONFERENCE GALA DINNER

The hugely popular social event of the Carbon Farming Conference and Expo … great food and company!

Heather Swan

Heather Swan

Heather Swan, world record-setting wingsuit pilot, and still the only woman to base-jump a Himalayan Mountain, will give some insights into the ability to overcome irrational fear and build physical and emotional strength.

Heather will inspire us as to how an attitude of ‘no fear’ can assist us as we navigate the new, choppy waters of allowing Farmers to take their natural leadership role in climate adaptation and mitigation.

Stand by for more information on the evening’s entertainment.

Our musical entertainment for the evening is Southern Cross Universities Contemporary Music Graduate, Henry Dean, who has been playing music professionally since the age of 15.

Henry has grown up all over NSW, from as south-west as Orange, to as north as Lismore where he completed his Music degree. Living in so many different places has influenced his sound and repertoire. His alternative/folky sound is smooth and easy on the ears. His debut single ‘Down To the Rhythm’ has been aired on The Central Western ABC radio and can be found on all streaming platforms.

CARBON FARMING, CARBON TRADING & THE CARBON MARKETS

On this day, we talk TRADING. But not just the ERF. And not even just CO2e. There are many opportunities opening up for groups and others who have a system for Measure/Monitor/Verification (MMV). Different methods. AND let’s not forget – DEMAND. From where will the demand for your Carbon Credits arise?

CALL TO ACTION: What is the younger generation looking for us to do which will ensure a safe environment for them? 

PART 1 – BEEF HERD METHANE REDUCTION

PART 2 – TREE CARBON, TREE PLANTINGS, PLANTATIONS, AND BEYOND

Moderator: Louisa Kiely, Carbon Farmers of Australia

Reduction of methane in the beef herd

Julien Gastaldi, Corporate Carbon

Julien Gastaldi

The ‘Beef Herd Improvement” ERF method allows landholders to earn Carbon Credits from a reduction in methane in the Beef Herd. How accessible is this method and who is using it?

Beyond Beef Cattle Herd – different opportunities for cattle managers and dairy farmers to generate carbon credits from reducing livestock emissions

Thomas Schroeder, Head of Climate Action, South Pole

Thomas Schroder

This presentation will discuss alternatives and complements to the ERF Beef Cattle Herd method, which is already firmly established. These alternatives include reducing livestock emissions through livestock feed additives, such as essential oils or seaweed. In addition, South Pole will discuss the potential to register such projects under international voluntary carbon standards and how credits from these projects can be sold to domestic or overseas buyers.

Plantation and Forestry ERF methods: Trees – one crop, generational benefits

 Wendy Perdon, South West Timber Hub

Wendy Perdon

The speaker will explain how under the Farm of the Future model, there may be more opportunities for farm forestry or plantation projects.

Wendy will show how farmers can integrate commercial trees into their farms allowing them to participate in Carbon mitigation strategies while having commercial activities on their land.

A win for the planet, a win for the land owner, and a win for the timber industry facing future timber shortages.

Department of Agriculture Water & Environment

Maya Stuart-Fox, Climate Adaptation & Resilience

Maya Stuart-Fox

We have invited a representative from the Department of Agriculture, Water & Environment. The department has several pilots running. Maya will bring us up to date on the potential for an “ACCU plus”, remnant vegetation protection, and stewardship payments.

Morning Tea in the Expo Area (great tea and coffee and now 39 trade displays!) 

Your in-depth discussions continue…

Establishing market-based facilities and associated instruments to support the development of Carbon Markets internationally

Alastair Handley, Founder, Radicle (Alberta, Canada)

Alastair Handley

Alastair’s vision is that emission reduction markets can build wealth, generate jobs, create export opportunities, and protect the environment for future generations at once.

Contracting for Carbon Projects

Sophie Whitehead, Norton Rose Fulbright

Sophie Whitehead

This well-known speaker will cover different contracting models, standard requirements, and risk allocation type issues, as farmers weigh up offerings from project developers.

Session 2 Q & A

We’ll be using Sli-do for questions, so get familiar if you haven’t used it yet: sli.do. We will set you up at the conference as well.

CLIMATE POLICY AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Moderator: Matthew Warnken, AgriProve

New Soil Sampling protocol for horticulture and viticulture

Oli Madgett, Cloud Agronomics

Oli Madgett

From a farming systems perspective, in permanent alley crops (vines and tree crops) growers typically manage the under-canopy zone differently from the mid-row zone.

This will lead to different options being available for management practice changes, and differing rates at which SOC can potentially be built in the mid-row Vs under-canopy zone.

The proposal of both the Wine and Horticulture industry is to make an addition to the soil sampling protocol for permanent alley crops, so that the area of land is stratified based on whether it’s a mid-row or under-canopy zone.

How Blockchain, Crypto & NFTs can be used in the Agriculture space & how to ask better questions

 Ray Milidoni, Farming Secrets and MetaTrees NFT

Ray Milidoni

When it comes to Blockchain, Crypto & NFTs the better questions you ask the better decisions you will make. In this quick into Blockchain, I will take you through the amazing world of Blockchain and how they will be used in the Ag & carbon market space. While the future can be scary, understanding it early will help you navigate it better. As one of the co-founders of MetaTrees NFT I have seen first-hand how the digital space can meet the real farming world.

Session 3 Q & A

We’ll be using Sli-do for questions, so get familiar if you haven’t used it yet: sli.do. We will set you up at the conference as well.

Afternoon Tea in the Expo Area (great tea and coffee and 39 exhibitors!

Now’s the time to close those deals!

SUN AND THE WIND: How Can Farmers take advantage of these Opportunities
in developing their ‘whole of farm’ carbon farm plan?

Moderators: Louisa Kiely, Director, Carbon Farmers of Australia,
Lorraine Gordon

What of the sun?

 Stephen Todd, Volt Farmer

Stephen Todd

Volt Farmer is developing a number of showcase ‘Climate Smart Farm Projects’ which aim to inspire sustainable and regenerative development of farmland, landfill sites and communities.

These showcase projects combine local renewable energy production with carbon farming as well as providing local economic and educational development opportunities.

Wrap up and Close – Louisa Kiely

ADVANCED CARBON FARMING WORKSHOP – STEPS TO A PROJECT

From Project Implementation to Credit Creation…
Take your knowledge to the next level at this in-depth post-conference workshop. Learn how to take part in a Carbon Farming Project for productivity and profit. Project Aggregation opportunities for NRM & OTHER GROUPS, FARMERS, and ADVISORS explained.