EOI’s for free environmental assessments open to southern NSW farmers

Low-carbon farming is rapidly gaining momentum across Australian agriculture, and Riverine Plains is supporting southern NSW producers to get ahead of the curve with free practical, farm-focused assessments designed to turn carbon and environmental opportunities into real business outcomes. 

Expressions of interest are now open to farmers managing 500 hectares or more in Greater Hume, Lockhart, Federation, Berrigan and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Fringe, as part of the Riverine Plains’ project, supported by the NSW Government through a Low Carbon Landscapes grant. 

Eligible farmers will receive a free environmental assessment valued at approximately $1,000, with a tailored report outlining their current baseline and identifying potential opportunities to suit their property, such as carbon projects, environmental plantings and other natural capital options. 

Riverine Plains’ Sustainable Practices & Farmer Engagement Manager, Sayra Samudio, said the project was focused on assisting mixed farming businesses to cut through the noise. 

“This project is about working with producers to identify opportunities that not only improve environmental outcomes and reduce emissions, but also support stronger, more productive, profitable and resilient farm businesses,” she said. 

“There’s a huge amount of interest in carbon and sustainability right now, but farmers want practical information they can actually use and that are grounded in real farming systems,” Ms. Samudio said. 

Participating farms will also have the opportunity to work alongside soil specialist Ed Scott, from Field Systems to design projects tailored to their own farms. These projects will serve as practical examples for other producers exploring and navigating low-carbon opportunities.

Potential activities may include building soil organic carbon through improved rotations and groundcover, targeted revegetation and shelter plantings, improving grazing and livestock management, and increasing fertiliser and input efficiency. 

“We know producers are looking for examples that are locally relevant, commercially realistic and backed by good farm business analysis,” Ms. Samudio said. 

“By working with farmers across the region, we can build practical knowledge and confidence around what low-carbon farming and environmental opportunities can actually look like on the ground.” 

To be eligible, farms must: 
•    be located within Greater Hume, Lockhart, Federation, Berrigan or the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Fringe  
•    be at least 500 hectares in size 
•    have an interest in exploring practical low-carbon and environmental opportunities within the farm business. 

Places are limited, and Riverine Plains is encouraging interested farmers to submit an expression of interest early or contact Sayra Samudio, sayra@riverineplains.org.au.

The Integrated Carbon Project Design for Farm Profitability and Landscape Co-benefits project is supported by the NSW Government through a Low Carbon Landscapes grant, delivered under the Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program within the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.