Getting down to earth about carbon farming in South Gippsland
Carbon farming is talked about a lot right now, but what exactly is it?
That’s what 35 South Gippsland farmers came to find out at the ‘Down to Earth Farm Field’ day at Malabar Farm in Tarwin Lower recently. The day was one of a series of workshops on the topic organised by West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (the CMA) in partnership with Agriculture Victoria and Landcare.
The group was shown first hand by fellow farmers how it is possible to farm in a way that is in tune with the environment, creates healthier soils, helps reduce emissions and is financially successful.
“Carbon farming is a hot topic at the moment,” said Sam Shannon, Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator at the CMA. “There’s a lot of great information out there but sometimes having a chat with other local farmers facing similar challenges and conditions is the best way to learn. That’s what these farm field days are all about.”
Hosts Jenny and Paul O’Sullivan opened their farm gates to local beef, sheep, horticulture and hobby farmers from the region, including beef farmer Rob who has been farming for fifty-one years and is ‘keen to become carbon neutral’. Agriculture student Harper was just beginning his farming career and ‘came to learn’ while Jill from Fish Creek wanted to hear about improving soil health.
“There’s a thirst for knowledge about carbon storage and we know farmers like to learn from each other. This event is a way for us to share our philosophy of farming in tune with nature and talk about our experience of being involved in a pilot program to measure on-farm emissions,” said Jenny.
The audience heard about Jenny and Paul’s 34-year farming journey and their efforts to improve grazing management procedures, create healthier soils and reduce greenhouse gases on their 664-hectare beef and sheep property.
“Preserving and improving nature has always been our goal,’ said Paul. “And we’ve proven that you can have a financially successful business while also doing the right thing by the environment.”
Alison Kelly, Agriculture Victoria’s farm emissions specialist, then stepped through the process of calculating a farm’s greenhouse gas emissions using tools such as the Greenhouse Accounting Framework (GAF) calculator.
Alison Kelly, Agriculture Victoria’s farm emissions specialist, then stepped through the process of calculating a farm’s greenhouse gas emissions using tools such as the Greenhouse Accounting Framework (GAF) calculator.
Soil expert Peter Ronalds from Inspired Ag Solutions dug into the science of soil carbon explaining what it is, how it benefits productivity and the varying levels of carbon found in different soil types. He told the group that soil carbon tests help them to understand their carbon stocks and where to focus efforts to improve soil health.
“Every tonne of carbon stored in soil (or trees) can remove 3.67 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,” he said.
A farm tour brought the theory to life. The group visited conservation sites that Jenny and Paul have worked on over the years, including an area of remnant woodland where spectacular 300-year-old grass trees flourish thanks to fences that Jenny and Paul installed to keep cattle out.
“Understanding how to make the most of carbon farming depends on the type of farm, the business needs and the landscape it operates in. By showcasing local examples and providing practical advice, we can cut through the noise so farmers can get on with the job of sustainable farming.”
For beef farmer Don, the reason for coming to the event was simple: “I love my bushland and want to protect it”.
The next farm field days focus on agroforestry, including how farmers can benefit from the Victorian Government’s ‘Trees on Farms’ program. Workshops are happening on Tuesday 17 February 2026 in Darriman and again on 24 February in Torwood. More information on the next Trees on Farms event is available here.
The Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program is delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the National Carbon Farming Outreach Program. The Program is delivered through a partnership between Agriculture Victoria, 10 Catchment Management Authorities and Landcare Victoria and other bodies.
With a focus on rivers and their catchments, the CMA works every day to improve catchment health through a range of programs and projects spanning from working towards self determination for Traditional Owners, partnering with legends like Landcare, Trust for Nature and Greening Australia and building relationships with the amazing landholders and community who are willing to work for river and catchment health.
Trees on Farms event
Planting trees on farms offers opportunities for farmers to diversify their income through revegetation, carbon benefits, increased agricultural productivity, and timber supply.
Learn how trees can benefit your farm and the opportunities for agroforestry in livestock enterprises at this free farm field day event presented by the West Gippsland CMA and Maffra and Districts Landcare Network.
Speakers:
- Forestry expert Tim Fowler from Heartwood Unlimited will talk about plantation management and how his agroforestry company works with landholders to plant and protect trees on farm.
- Callam Reynolds from Maffra and Districts Landcare Network will explain how the Victorian Trees on Farms Program works and the funding opportunities available for landholders.
Date: Tuesday 17 February 2026
Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm
Location: 3310 South Gippsland Highway, Darriman
Cost: Free lunch provided – please register
Second event in Torwood on Tuesday 24 February 2026
A second Trees on Farms workshop will be held on Tuesday 24 February in Torwood. Sheep and wool farmer Bob Gray will share his experiences establishing a hardwood agroforestry system in wet, steep country and what he’s learned after 14 years
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact Sam Shannon on 0409 944 114.
This event is one of a series of workshops offered under our Carbon Farming Outreach Program, which provides free training for farmers across the West Gippsland catchment to better understand their emissions and learn the benefits of carbon farming.
Event partners:
The Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program is delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the National Carbon Farming Outreach Program. The Program is delivered through a partnership between Agriculture Victoria, 10 Catchment Management Authorities and Landcare Victoria and other bodies.
Shelterbelts for livestock – Farm Field Day event
Join us for this farm field day to hear from experts how shelterbelts can increase farm production, improve biodiversity, reduce your carbon footprint and diversify income through agroforestry.
Hear firsthand practical tips from the farmers who have planted extensive shelterbelts across their cattle properties.
Learn about shelterbelt design, tree species selection and funding opportunities including the Victorian Trees on Farm program.
Date: Tuesday 2 December 2025
Time: 10.00am to 12.30pm
Location: Bushy Park
Cost: Free (lunch provided)
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Sam Shannon at sams@wgcma.vic.gov.au or call 0409 944 114.
Partners:
This event is one of a series of workshops offered under our Carbon Farming Outreach Program, which provides free training for farmers across the West Gippsland catchment to better understand their emissions and learn the benefits of carbon farming.
Funders:
The Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program is delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the National Carbon Farming Outreach Program. The Program is delivered through a partnership between Agriculture Victoria, 10 Catchment Management Authorities and Landcare Victoria and other bodies.
Carbon Calculator Events – Carbon Accounting for farmers
Banks, processors and insurance companies are increasingly offering incentives or premiums to farmers who have calculated their farm emissions. Come along to these short, interactive sessions to get a better understanding of carbon farming, carbon accounting, and to estimate your own farm’s emissions footprint.
Presenters
- Local farmer Nick Dudley
- Pragna Prathap from Agriculture Victoria
Day One – An introduction to carbon farming and carbon accounting
Date: Tuesday 28 October, 2025
Time: 10am – 12.30pm (lunch provided)
Location: West Gippsland CMA, 16 Hotham Street, Traralgon
Cost: Free – all welcome but please register
Day Two – Bring your own laptop (or borrow one of ours) to work through an online carbon calculator to estimate your own farm’s emissions footprint.
Date: Tuesday 11 November, 2025
Time: 10am – 1.00pm (lunch provided)
Location: West Gippsland CMA, 16 Hotham Street, Traralgon
Cost: Free – all welcome but please register
Event partners:
This program is delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the National Carbon Farming Outreach Program.
Nature Positive Farming: land, livestock, people, profit
Join us for a field day packed with practical knowledge, local experience, and inspiration on a farm in Tarwin Lower.
Jenny and Paul O’Sullivan invite you to Malabar Farm to share their valuable insights into sustainable farming. Hear how critical decisions have benefited their bottom line and shaped their farming philosophy.
Alison Kelly, Agriculture Victoria will explain the process of estimating your farm greenhouse gas emissions, and the power of ‘knowing your number’.
Peter Ronalds, Inspired Ag Solutions will dive into long-term soil test results and explore how recent dry conditions may have impacted carbon levels.
Date: Thursday 20 November, 2025
Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm (lunch provided)
Location: Tarwin Lower
Cost: Free event – all welcome but please register.
This event is one of a series of workshops offered under our Carbon Farming Outreach Program, which provides free training for farmers across the West Gippsland catchment to better understand their emissions and learn the benefits of carbon farming.
Event partners:
The Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program is delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the National Carbon Farming Outreach Program. The Program is delivered through a partnership between Agriculture Victoria, 10 Catchment Management Authorities and Landcare Victoria and other bodies.
Farm field days coming up
Discover how farmers across the catchment are protecting the environment, boosting productivity and benefiting the bottom line.
During September 2025 and March 2026, West Gippsland CMA is running a series of workshops showcasing the benefits of sustainable agricultural practices and how farmers can tap into local expertise, knowledge and opportunities.
Held in partnership with local Landcare groups, the free workshops will cover a range of topics including soil health, managing biodiversity, effluent management, shelterbelts and biofertilisers.
Led by experts and hosted at local farms, the field days are an opportunity to learn about the benefits of sustainable agriculture and carbon farming while exploring opportunities available for agribusinesses in the West Gippsland catchment.
Upcoming events
We’ll update this list as more details are confirmed.
Enquiries
For more information about any of these events, contact Sam Shannon, Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator at West Gippsland CMA sams@wgcma.vic.gov.au or call 0409 944 114.
These events are offered under our Carbon Farming Outreach Program.
The Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program is delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the National Carbon Farming Outreach Program. The Program is delivered through a partnership between Agriculture Victoria, 10 Catchment Management Authorities, Landcare Victoria and other bodies.
Managing Biodiversity on Farms event
Join us for a farm walk and talk with South Gippsland ecologist Peter Gannon.
Join the West Gippsland CMA and Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network for a discussion and farm walk to hear practical advice about protecting biodiversity on your farm.
Learn about potential opportunities in carbon and biodiversity and grants to support farmers protect biodiversity.
Date: Friday 10 October 2025
Time: 10.30am – 2.00pm (lunch provided)
Location: Flynn (address supplied at registration)
Cost: Free event – all welcome but please register.
This event is one of a series of workshops offered under our Carbon Farming Outreach Program, which provides free training for farmers across the West Gippsland catchment to better understand their emissions and learn the benefits of carbon farming.
Event partners:
The Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program is delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the National Carbon Farming Outreach Program. The Program is delivered through a partnership between Agriculture Victoria, 10 Catchment Management Authorities and Landcare Victoria and other bodies.
