Big conversations, pragmatic approaches, real experiences

The 2025 National Carbon Farming Conference and Expo is drawing near from 3-6 November, with a packed program of farm walks, deep dives, case studies and practical advice.

The full program is now locked in. Check it out here.

Farmer Spotlight: Michael Gooden, Old Man Creek

Cattle producer Michael Gooden will join the National Carbon Farming Conference to speak candidly about what it’s really like to start a carbon project from the ground up. He’ll share what’s worked, what hasn’t and what he’s learning along the way.

Michael runs Old Man Creek near Holbrook, where he has been trialling legumes, nutrient management and fertiliser strategies through a Carbon Link project supported by a CBA green loan and AgriFutures. Early results show around 600 extra grazing days a year on treated paddocks compared to the baseline. He believes good management, not just rainfall, drives results and that soil carbon is something every farmer can influence.

He's joining the conference because he knows how confusing the carbon space can be, with mixed messages, changing rules and too much theory. His own experience has been that learning directly from other producers is most valuable part of the process.

His approach is simple: test, measure and share results.

Michael will join other producers sharing firsthand experiences of starting and running carbon projects. Together they’ll answer questions, compare lessons and offer an honest view of what it really takes to make it work.

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Sponsor Spotlight: Forsyths

Forsyths will be on hand to show the simple moves that help ‘audit-proof’ a project: what to record, how to structure evidence and the common pitfalls that slow or derail issuance. If you’re scoping vegetation, methane or soil in 2025–26, grab them on site. Bring your project sketch and your questions!

Engaging early with your auditor means:

• Methods, baselines, sampling and monitoring plans set up for verification, not theory.

• A clean data trail from the paddock: maps, invoices, soil tests, photos, grazing logs.

• Faster issuance to bring ACCUs to market sooner.

• Lower compliance risk and clear advice so you don’t get caught out mid-project.

• Bank-grade assurance that turns your results into a credible, finance-ready story.