Will Harris | The Future of White Oak Pastures

At nearly 70 years old, Will Harris has built a thriving, regenerative farm that employs more than 170 people and feeds communities with nutrient-dense food. In this episode, Will opens up about his resilience—personally, agriculturally, and economically. He explains why efficiency and resilience are opposites, why mistakes are opportunities, and how farms must think in terms of decades, not quarters. With reflections on the pandemic, food security, and decentralisation, Will shows why regenerative agriculture is the path forward for both farmers and consumers alike.

Episode Sponsors:

This episode of The Regenerative Journey is brought to you by Optiweigh. Trusted by regenerative farmers and land stewards, an Optiweigh Unit in your paddock makes precision livestock a reality. It's Australian-made for tough Australian conditions and puts more profit back in your pocket. Visit optweigh.com.au/charlie875 to save $875 on the purchase of a sheep or cattle unit.

This episode of The Regenerative Journey is brought to you by Tarwyn Park Training. For over 40 years, we've been teaching Natural Sequence Farming because understanding how your landscape works is the key to restoration. Our core belief? Plants managed water to build our landscapes - and they still can. We empower people to read their land and restore its natural processes. Our upcoming online course 'Learning Landscapes' launches later this year. Head to tarwynparktraining.com.au/charliearnott to register your interest and receive 10% off when the course goes live.

Episode Credits:

• Thank you to all who've made this show possible. Our host Charlie Arnott and, of course, we are grateful for our sponsors, subscribers and listeners. https://charliearnott.com.au/podcast/ to support my work.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene
• 02:21 Family Legacy and Farm Evolution
• 14:06 Challenges and Changes in Agriculture
• 41:08 Economic Impact of White Oak Pastures
• 42:21 Resilience During the Pandemic
• 45:03 Challenges and Changes in Agriculture
• 01:24:07 Replicating Success in Different States
• 01:26:59 Business Principles and Challenges
• 01:31:59 Innovative Agricultural Practices and Future Plans