Episode #214 - Charlie Arnott

Charlie Arnott is a regenerative farmer in Boorowa, Australia. Charlie’s farm, Hanaminno, started as a conventional farm over 35 years ago with traditional methods that relied heavily on chemicals and fertilizers.

About 15 years ago, Charlie experienced several of what he refers to as “small tension events” that led him to seek out alternatives to his current practices. His journey started with a one-day course called “Profiting from Drought,” which, at the time, almost sounded like a joke.

His biggest takeaway was realizing that he wasn’t happy and mental fatigue and financial strain were taking a toll. Charlie began simplifying his business and taking steps toward regenerative farming. And most importantly, working on the “paddock between his ears.”

Charlie and I recently got to hang out at the RCS Convergence Conference, a fantastic gathering of over 600 people all talking about agriculture, human, and planetary health. In our conversation today, Charlie and I talk about:

• Charlie’s background in conventional farming

• Finding your tribe

• Changes Charlie has made on his farm

• Charlie’s new business model

• The emerging cattle diseases threatening Australia

• Managing wildfires with livestock

• Carbon-tunnel vision and reactive government policies