This is the first of a two part interview with David Marsh, a stalwart of the Australian regenerative movement and good friend of Charlie's. In what is an enlightening and philosophical dialogue David takes us on his regenerative journey and steps us through the course of events that triggered David's change in approach. In Part 1 we learn about how Landcare Australia came to be and David provides a valuable insight into Australian agriculture over the last 50 years.

To start a dialogue and converse more about topics raised in this podcast, please visit The Regenerative Journey Podcast Facebook Group.

Episode Takeaways :

What was growing in the paddocks early 1970? I didn't know...compared to now, when I am absolutely obsessed with it | It was the time of showing that we had mastery over nature...a lot to do with subsidies given after the war...there was a Super Phosphate bounty...you were paid to put Super out | The mantra out West was sell and repent but sell | In Boorowa the mantra was hang on and hope you get lucky | We noticed trees dying. Mary and I went out and did some counts in a few paddocks where there were quite a few trees. We calculated that at the rate they were dying that in 70 years there wouldn't be many alive. That was the embryo and the awakening of an ecological conscience | We had no idea what we were doing to be honest and thought we were forming a group because there were a lot of trees dying in Boorowa…but the trees were actually an indication of a whole lot of other things that were going on...we were ecologically blind | Corona 19 has made people reconsider how they have been living and how dependent they are on so many things that are high energy products | I used to see myself as an agent responsible for healing the land...there is nothing wrong with this but now I see myself as someone who is observing the landscape that is healing itself.

Episode #8 Links

The Cattle Crash - 1974

Ian Armstrong - Rural Action Movement

1982 drought NSW

Joan Kirner - Conservation Minister ( 1985 - 88 ) instrumental in formation of first Landcare Groups.

Andrew Campbell - Formerly manager of the Potter Farm Plan initiative, first Landcare Coordinator and now CEO of the ACIAR ( Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research)

ACF - Australian Conservation Foundation

NFF - National Farmers Federation

Bob Hawke - Landcare involvement

Boorowa Community Landcare Group - History

Bertigan ( QLD) Catchment Landcare Group / Gympie Landcare - History

An Agricultural Testament - Author Arthur Howard

A Silent Spring - Author Rachel Carsons