The National Carbon Farming Conference & Expo will be held in Albury in November, and its founder Louisa Kiely says it comes at a pivotal moment for the agricultural sector.
“Producers are hungry for clarity, certainty and practical strategies that deliver results on-farm,” Ms Kiely said.
“This conference is about moving from conversation to action by showcasing what works, sharing lessons from those already in the field, and ensuring farmers are equipped to be central players in Australia’s net zero future.”
The conference is the only one of its kind in Australia and returns in a new form this year after a two-year hiatus. Ms Kiely said she was motivated to revive the event in response to strong demand from industry.
“There has been a lull in the carbon sector, but it’s time to get things moving,” she said.
“There’s some paralysis around projects and this conference will help producers find a way forward.”
A major feature of this year’s event will be discussion of how to unlock the untapped value of data generated by the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) process.
Thousands of soil samples are taken under carbon projects, creating a dataset with major commercial and research potential.
“That data is gold,” Ms Kiely said.
“Handled the right way, it can unlock incredible insights for industry, with commercial value flowing back to producers while ensuring farmers retain ownership and control.
“It’s about creating a transparent, trusted system that rewards the people on the ground.”
The conference and expo program brings together a diverse line-up of farmers, scientists, policymakers and industry experts.
Confirmed speakers include Professor Karen Hussey, chair of the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee; Duncan Farquhar, CEO of the Soil Carbon Industry Group; and Michael Crowley, managing director of Meat & Livestock Australia.
They will be joined by producers with first-hand experience running soil carbon projects.
The three-and-a-half-day program kicks off with a field trip to Bibbaringa, a regenerative farm near Albury.
A dedicated Soil Carbon Day, delivered in partnership with the Soil Carbon Industry Group, will focus specifically on soil carbon science, methods and on-farm projects, while the following two days will cover the full spectrum of carbon farming and emissions reduction opportunities, from vegetation and soil carbon and livestock emissions to biological inputs and new technologies.
Ms Kiely said this year’s conference was not about more talk, but about demonstrating practical action.
“We will hear from farmers who are already running projects and from scientists who are advancing the methods, but most importantly, people will leave with confidence and a clear view of the opportunities available to them,” she said.
The National Carbon Farming Conference & Expo runs from November 3 to 6 at the Albury Entertainment Centre.
For program details and registration, visit: www.nationalcarbonfarmingconference.com
