Output 1: By March 2027, deliver a Soil Health Framework for industry to measure, monitor, manage and report soil health and function in Australian agricultural production systems that is reviewed and updated annually, with final delivery in December 2029.

A Soil Health Framework that defines soil health and function and outlines how it is measured, monitored, managed and reported within the context of Australian agricultural production systems, including locally/regionally relevant reference data sets that can be used as a benchmark. Following a review of national and international approaches and extensive consultation with key industry stakeholders across the supply chain (including but not limited to growers, advisors, finance sector/banks, markets/traders/buyers, government, industry bodies/representative organisations), co-design, develop and validate an internationally recognised and accepted standardised framework for quantifying soil health and function appropriate to Australian agricultural production systems. Measurable and interpretable metrics/indicators that are practical, cost-effective and decision-useful are critical to: (1) inform on-farm decision-making to protect and/or enhance soil health and function for improved soil resilience, productivity and profitability; and (2) demonstrate the state of on-farm soil health and function to key stakeholders across the supply chain. The Soil Health Framework must consider and account for a range of grower/farmer motivations. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the Framework, demonstrated via case studies delivered in Output 2, will ensure that it continues to be refined over time as additional data and knowledge become available (i.e., incorporate established and emerging scientific evidence). Commentary regarding the ease of implementation, potential barriers to adoption, and value capture opportunities is expected.

Output 2: By March 2027 (and annually thereafter), case studies that demonstrate the value of adopting a Soil Health Framework and showcase a diversity of value capture opportunities.

The Soil Health Framework delivered in Output 1 will be validated and refined via a series of case studies representing a spectrum of agricultural commodities, spanning a range of conditions (i.e., better/poorer performing sites, high/low starting levels of natural capital), and a diverse range of value capture opportunities. Value capture opportunities include, but are not limited to, maintaining access to existing markets, gaining access to new and emerging markets, access to (cheaper) finance, production/yield increases, improved efficiencies leading to reduced inputs and improved profitability, enhanced environmental/natural capital outcomes. The case studies will identify regional Soil Health Champions to demonstrate and showcase the implementation of a Soil Health Framework, which will form the basis of a comprehensive communications and extension plan to drive wider adoption across Australia’s agricultural sector, as well as an international awareness and acceptance campaign.

Key communications and extension deliverables, tailored to various components of the value chain across industries/commodities, to ensure key messages and findings are delivered in an appropriate and timely manner, including:

• Develop technical resources in a format suitable for grower/farmer/advisor engagement, adoption and implementation, to support on-farm decision making (e.g., factsheets, case study reports). Related extension activities/resources may include but not be limited to field days, fact sheets, case study reports, social media, etc. Early and regular communication with growers / farmers is critical to stimulate awareness and maintain interest in the project and ensure they understand the proposed metrics/framework as soon as possible.
• Develop content to support industry communication and reporting developed for target audience using a range of formats (e.g., GRDC Grains Research Updates paper, GroundCover articles, podcasts, videos, social media assets, etc).
• Identify integrative opportunities both within GRDC and across agricultural commodities to promote the Soil Health Framework. This will be particularly relevant for mixed enterprise operations, given the consistent approach ensuring no mixed messaging.
• Publish technical findings in relevant formats (peer-reviewed scientific publications, conference proceedings, etc) to ensure national and international awareness / acceptance of key messages and findings from the investment, that underpin the scientific credibility and robustness of the approach.
• The Soil Health Framework to be incorporated into relevant commodity sustainability frameworks and/or relevant certification schemes.

Output 3: By March 2030, an industry-wide assessment on the adoption and implementation of the Soil Health Framework across the Australian agricultural sector.

An initial stakeholder analysis will be conducted, outlining the roadmap for what each stakeholder aims to achieve across the term of the project. This roadmap will be the mechanism by which progress is tracked and reported throughput the term of the project, and a final assessment at the completion of the project of its success (e.g., industry adoption and implementation of the Soil Health Framework). This Output will measure, evaluate and report on the adoption and implementation of the Soil Health Framework across the Australian agricultural industry. How has it been used to support growers/farmers capture value, for example, accreditation schemes? Biodiversity credits? Carbon credits (ACCUs)? Market access (existing and/or new and emerging market opportunities)? At the completion of the investment, where did we land? Did we achieve what we set out to achieve? If not, detail why and clearly define what is required to get to where we need to be to secure enduring profitability for Australian growers/farmers.