Southern Cross University is inviting farmers to register for free carbon soil tests on Valentine’s Day.
The university’s Environmental Analysis Laboratory is offering 200 farms across Australia free soil tests to celebrate not only the day for romantics, but also for regenerative agriculture. February 14 has been declared Australia’s first National Regenerative Agriculture Day.
The university, home to the national Regenerative Agriculture Alliance, said it would be offering the free tests in conjunction with a new project called Carbon8, to be launched on the same day.
The subscription-based platform asks for people – both city and country-dwellers – to invest $8 a month to help lift farm soil carbon levels.
RAA director, Lorraine Gordon said farmers would receive a financial incentive to increase their soil carbon from the average on per cent to a healthy eight per cent, receiving $8 a hectare for every percentage point increase.
“Carbon is the sponge we need to protect our soils from drought,” Ms Gordon said.
“The more carbon in the soil, the more water storage available.
“While one per cent carbon would hold one-quarter of a swimming pool, five per cent would almost hold two swimming pools and eight per cent would equate to three pools.
“Increasing soil carbon is a way to tackle drought from the ground-up. This is a real drought strategy.”
Register for two free soil tests from 8am to 5pm on February 14 at info@farmingtogether.com.au.
Registrations will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis and the offer is limited to 200 farms. Participants will be required to pay postage.
