State Government gives green light for Mid West carbon farming project near Perenjori

A Mid West farm has received a share of $3.3 million in State Government funding to support its sustainable farming projects. Under the Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program, Weelhamby Farm has received a $738,600 grant to conduct an integrated biodiversity revegetation project and a pasture rejuvenation initiative at its site near Perenjori. The project will see the adoption of new management practices, including a three-year pasture to one-year cropping rotation, with pulse grazing of pastures by sheep. These practices are expected to increase soil microbial and fungal activity, minimise water run-off and reduce loss of topsoil to boost carbon in the soil. The property will become a public demonstration farm, hosting field days and sharing updates and economic results to examine how best to integrate carbon farming with conventional farming practices. Weelhamby Farm was one of 10 carbon farming projects to receive funding under the first round of the State Government program, with other recipients located in the Wheatbelt, Great Southern and South West regions. Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the program aimed to help farmers “future-proof” their businesses by diversifying enterprises and providing new income streams. “Our farmers have a huge opportunity to play an important role in the global fight against climate change, while at the same time boosting their business profitability,” she said. “We will see real landscape and business transformations from this first round of funding, helping to pave the way for other farmers to trial these opportunities.” Regional workshops for farmers and rural businesses to better understand carbon farming opportunities and prepare submissions for the second round of the program will be held in coming months.