019 | 100 Charles Massy: Future-proofing our farms

Date: Friday 1 July 2022

Time: 9:30am - 10:30am

Location: 100 Climate Conversations Exhibition, Level 1, Powerhouse Museum

Price: FREE - Bookings Essential as places are limited

When a drought devastated Charles Massy’s farm, he looked to regenerative agriculture to help the land recover. After decades of research into how the holistic agricultural approach can capture carbon in soil and help mitigate drought and climate change effects, the fifth-generation farmer is now advocating these techniques to farmers nation-wide.

See Massy in conversation with investigative journalist Gabrielle Chan, recorded live at the Powerhouse as part of 100 Climate Conversations. Entry is free, but bookings are essential as places are limited. Doors open at 9.15am for a 9.30am start. No late admittance.

100 Climate Conversations is a two-year survey of visionary Australians who are accelerating the net zero carbon revolution. To find out more and subscribe to the podcast visit 100climateconversations.com.

Fifth-generation farmer Charles Massy turned to regenerative agriculture after the drought of the 1980s almost sent him broke. The results saw his overgrazed land recover and inspired the then 50-something to embark on a PhD, for which he interviewed 80 other regenerative farmers. Today he is a leading researcher and advocate for regenerative agriculture: a holistic movement that restores farmland health, increasing storage of carbon in soil and biodiversity while drought and climate change-proofing farms. Massy is the author of Call of the Reed Warbler (2018) and a 2011 recipient of the Order of Australia Medal in recognition of his service to the Australian wool industry.

Gabrielle Chan is Guardian Australia’s rural and regional editor. She has been a journalist for more than 30 years previously writing for The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, Meanjin and Griffith Review. She also has personal experience of family farming. Chan’s first book, Rusted Off: Why Country Australia is Fed Up was shortlisted for the 2019 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and the 2020 Walkley Awards. Her latest book, Why You Should Give a F**k About Farming was released in August 2021.