Charles Massy

type: #person
organisation / role: Farmer, Author
location: #australia

About

Charles Massy gained a Bachelor of Science (Zoology, Human Ecology) at ANU (1976), before going farming and developing the prominent Merino sheep stud 'Severn Park'. Charles  managed an 1820 ha. (4,500 acre) sheep and cattle property (running an average 8,000 to 10,000 stock units) for 40 years. In addition he has managed other properties totalling 7,000 ha for city business interests.

Concern at ongoing land degradation and humanity's sustainability challenge led him to return to ANU in 2009 to undertake a PhD in Human Ecology.

Massey’s work extends beyond farming into policy advocacy, education, and authoring books that explain the importance of soil health, biodiversity, and holistic management practices. He has been instrumental in promoting regenerative agriculture, working with a variety of stakeholders, including farmers, environmentalists, and policy-makers, to ensure a viable future for Australian agriculture.

Through his leadership, Massey continues to inspire both farmers and communities to engage in practices that restore ecosystems, reduce carbon emissions, and contribute to healthier landscapes. His insights have been published in numerous articles, and he has presented at key industry events, advocating for a systemic approach to land and water management.

Charles was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his service as Chair and Director of a number of research organisations and statutory wool boards. He has also served on national and international review panels in sheep and wool research and development and genomics.

He talks openly about the state of his mental health, before and after changing his farming practices.

Videos

From the Ground Up 13m
TEDx Charlie Massy 18m
Regenerative Agriculture: a Solution to our Global Crisis? 23m
Charles Massy Regen Farm Tour - 30m

Books

Breaking The Sheeps Back (2011)
The events that led to Australia's biggest industry disaster, the once great nation-building icon, the wool business.

Call of the Reed Warbler: A New Agriculture – A New Earth (2017)
Exploration of the principles of regenerative agriculture, blending personal stories, science, and social insights.