Hear emerging findings from the UK’s largest farmer-led soil carbon research project, alongside cutting-edge insight on our understanding of soil carbon and the best protocols for measuring it. With discussion on why this is increasingly relevant for farmers and the associated opportunities and challenges.

Interest in soil health and its capacity to sequester carbon has risen dramatically in recent years. In some countries, farmers receive payments for soil carbon sequestration. However, uncertainties still exist in our understanding of soil carbon and the best ways to measure it.

In this session, we hear from different initiatives that are furthering our understanding about soil carbon. We find out about the pioneering work of the UK Soil Carbon Project, a partnership between the Farm Carbon Toolkit, Duchy College, Rothamsted Research, the University of Plymouth and 100 farms. The project is leading the way in developing protocols for measuring and valuing soil health and carbon sequestration, ensuring they are scientifically robust and practical at a field level. By tracking soil carbon over multiple years, the project is generating valuable data that helps us understand how different practices effect soil carbon.

We hear from soil carbon experts Louisa Kiely and Jenni Dungait about cutting-edge initiatives internationally, as well as thoughts from Tim Mead, Yeo Valley Organic owner, on why soil health is part of thier new strategy for farmer and consumer engagement. We finish with a conversation about why it will be increasingly important for farmers to understand and navigate issues relating to soil carbon, looking at opportunities and potential challenges and pitfalls in future policy, supply chains and when engaging with carbon offset marketplaces.