The RegenNarration 67. Behind the Greatest Regen Ag Movement: Dr Terry McCosker on life, death & learning true power
Terry McCosker is a formidable store of experience and wisdom, born of a love of the land and an acute sense of humanity, and forged through suffering unimaginable tragedy. And that’s alongside the trials and tribulations that come from simply being at the vanguard of significant change.
Terry is a farmer, self-described transient part-owner of the National Estate, and co-founder of RCS Australia. Charles Massy has called RCS this country’s leading broad-scale grazing and farming education company. And he says, “When I look back over the rise of regenerative agriculture in Australia, I see at the forefront Terry and Pam McCosker and their RCS organisation. Today it remains a world leader in the field.”
Terry is credited with bringing holistic grazing to Australia, having connected with global pioneers Stan Parsons and Allan Savory. But let it be known, he thought it was “the greatest pile of shit he’d ever seen”. He ended up embarking on extensive research testing the theories and practices for himself. When he became convinced of Parsons' and Savory’s work, “Thus began”, Massy says, “arguably the single greatest broad-acre regenerative agriculture movement to turn around land degradation and profitability in farming in this country.” Now there are almost 10,000 producers around Australia, and the world, that have been involved in RCS’ programs.
Whatever your walk of life, and whatever angle you’re taking, or thinking of taking, in the regenerative movement, this conversation resonates on a deeply human level. It was recorded last Thursday, 30 July 2020.
Title slide: Terry McCosker (supplied).
Music:
By Jeremiah Johnson.
Find more:
Tune into the extra to this episode, ‘Recarbonising the Economy, Regenerative Education & the Fire in the Belly of Reconciliation, with Terry McCosker'.
RCS Australia’s International Conference – Convergence: Agriculture | Human and Planetary Health, featuring Zach Bush MD and many more, with Anthony James as MC.
RCS Australia’s website.
Project Pioneer, RCS' brilliant work on improving the health of the Great Barrier Reef.
Listen to current RCS Chairman, David McLean, in conversation for episode 39 ‘Stop Riding the Unicorn: Empowering the regenerative agriculture movement’.
The RegenNarration is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you.
Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the show on the road - and gain access to a great community and some exclusive benefits - on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find my writing).
You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.
I hope to see you at an event, and even The RegenNarration shop. And thanks for sharing with friends!