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For more than 60 years, the Clarke family has partnered with RSM to navigate the challenges and opportunities of farming.
Today, that partnership is helping Ian and his son Callum embrace carbon farming, a forward-thinking approach that not only improves soil health but creates new revenue streams.
Learn how RSM helped a fourth-generation farming family unlock new value through carbon farming.
READ TRANSCRIPT
We've been farming, here, for quite some time, the families. We're fourth generation, I am. Well I was sort of born into RSM. Pretty well, my father used RSM as his accountant, years ago. So, I mean we're talking probably, 60 - 70 years ago now. What I liked about RSM was the people themselves. They've always been very cheery people and basically, how can I say, accommodating and basically probably good to be around.
We've been very fortunate that over a number of years and over a number of generations we've been able to work with Ian and the Clark family. We've been able to help them with their succession planning and allow that farm to change through generations and we're very fortunate now that we've been able to work with Ian and his son, Callum, and help grow and develop and support what they're doing here now.
Carbon farming is ⁓ realising the value of the soil itself. ⁓ Carbon obviously makes up a big part of the soil. It's basically quite simply procuring the jolly carbon dioxide from the air, putting it into the plant, and that's photosynthesising and that's sequestering it into the soil. We never were paid for this before. It was done with goodwill and probably just the feel that you're doing some good for the soil and trying to make your soil more resilient, reversing the problem we have with climate change.
One of the great privileges in my role is I get to meet people like Ian, who are passionate about agri. It serves two purposes. I'm fascinated with agri myself; I have a background in agri and I love being involved. But I also learn so much from interacting with people like Ian. That knowledge that they impart to us is so important. It means that we can talk to other clients experiencing similar issues, and we can talkcan talk to them about where they might get some assistance or help from.
Obviously RSM has been with us with the journey. They have dedicated people in that area ⁓ with the carbon story, the footprint and such like.
Part of what I find passionate about working with clients like Ian is the fact that they're innovators and they're willing to put themselves out there and try new things to expand and grow their business. And that's important for us as their advisers and their accountants because that allows us to help them. Help them grow, help them develop in their business and allows us to show our expertise and where we can support them and help them grow and develop. And we like supporting people who like to change the world and leave it in a better place.
An agricultural legacy: Four generations of collaboration with RSM
When Ian Clarke talks about farming, his passion for this family legacy is evident. As a fourth-generation farmer, Ian has spent his life on the land, continuing a tradition that has passed down from father to son, over decades.
And for almost as long, the Clarke family has trusted RSM as their adviser.
“I was sort of born into RSM,” Ian says with a smile. “My father used RSM as his accountant years ago—probably 60 or 70 years ago now. What I liked about RSM was the people themselves. They’ve always been very cheery, accommodating and good to be around.”
From Roy and Norman in 1956 to Ian and Callum today, RSM have helped the Clarke family adapt, innovate, and thrive.
A partnership built on trust and innovation
Over the decades, RSM has supported the Clarke family through succession planning and the challenges of a changing agricultural landscape. Today, that partnership is helping Ian and his son Callum embrace a new opportunity: carbon farming.
“Carbon farming is realising the value of the soil,” Ian explains.
“It’s about procuring carbon dioxide from the air, putting it into the plant, and sequestering it into the soil. We never were paid for this before. It was done with goodwill and the feeling that you’re doing some good for the soil and trying to make it more resilient, reversing the problem we have with climate change.”
Roy and Norman Clarke, 1956
Shared passion for progress
For RSM, working with clients like Ian is a pleasure and a privilege. We love supporting people who want to change the world and leave it in a better place.
“One of the great privileges in my role is meeting people like Ian, who are passionate about agri,” says Ross Paterson, RSM National Leader – Agribusiness . “I learn so much from interacting with people like Ian. That knowledge means we can help other clients experiencing similar issues.”
Clients like Ian are innovators, willing to try new things to expand and grow their business. That allows us to help them develop and show where we can support them
Why carbon farming matters
The Clarke family’s story is one of continuity and change. Through their partnership with RSM, they are adapting to new challenges and taking full advantage of our expertise to explore new opportunities.
After all, carbon farming isn’t just good for the planet; it’s good for business. By capturing carbon in the soil, farmers can improve resilience, contribute to climate solutions and access new income streams through carbon credits. We are proud to help clients like Ian navigate this evolving landscape with confidence.
