Carbon farming workshops increase farmer confidence
Farmers have learnt the basics of carbon farming through a series of 7 workshops held by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board.
Presented by the Board’s Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator Molly O’Dea, the Beginner’s Guide to Carbon Farming was a free workshop to help farmers better understand the benefits and risks of this emerging agricultural opportunity.
More than 90 people attended the workshop, a 2.5-hour session funded by the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water under the Carbon Farming Outreach Program. Workshops were held in Robertstown, Balaklava, Jamestown, Angaston and Maitland, with more planned for other locations in the region.
“Participants shared why they care about carbon farming, including concerns about market access and reporting requirements, and a desire to improve the environment for the next generation,” said Molly.
“It was great to see their confidence increase regarding making informed decisions relating to implementing carbon farming and emissions management.”
Attendees learnt some of the key concepts of carbon farming and discussed ways it can be applied locally, in both cropping and mixed farming enterprises.
Molly explained how farmers can reduce their carbon footprint, which is the annual amount of greenhouse gases emitted minus the amount of carbon stored by a farm. She also covered the emissions types, called scopes that are part of a farm’s carbon footprint and the concepts of insetting and offsetting. Farmers were also introduced to greenhouse gas accounts and calculators, which allows the calculation of emissions and carbon stored.
The Board plans to offer more carbon farming workshops across the region, with the next scheduled for Wednesday, 30 October at the Barossa Cellar. Find out more. Suggestions for other locations are also welcome. Please email molly.o’dea@sa.gov.au or call 8841 3444.
