The Victorian Carbon Farming Program plants timber across the state’s farms, bringing a host of environmental and agricultural benefits. Photo: Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
Victoria’s Government is helping the state’s farmers improve their soil health, aid biodiversity and provide shelter for livestock by planting more trees on their land.
Agriculture Minister Ros Spence announced that Rock House Farm in Kyneton had already begun planting timber, thanks to help from the Victorian Carbon Farming Program in the form of a $94,350 investment.
“We’re helping farmers improve productivity on their farms through tree planting, which creates healthier soils and helps them lower their emissions,” Ms Spence said.
Phase one of the program was recently completed, representing 10 per cent of the total area set to be planted next year. The scheme helps farmers to diversify their income streams by growing timber for agricultural, economic and environmental purposes.
Planting more trees provides shade for livestock, produces valuable timber, controls soil erosion and helps to offset farm emissions.
Member for Macedon Mary Anne-Thomas described the program as ”amazing”.
“[It is] supporting our local farmers and communities in practical ways that make a real difference on the ground,” she said.
Rock House Farm, a heritage property, has established a 19-hectare mixed-species timber plantation in partnership with wood4good, a forestry service provider.
The method of planting, termed regenerative forestry, helps to restore the land’s condition. The project is expected to sequester about 7000 tonnes of carbon over the next 25 years.
Wood4good has supported Rock House Farm in designing its plantation using a mix of hardwood timber. The plantation will be managed for timber production, but will generate a range of soil and water benefits.
“We are looking forward to the prospect of producing forest products in a way that complements our grazing operation,” a spokesperson for Rock House Farm said.
More information on the program is available on the Agriculture Victoria website.
