About Dr Mary Retallack
Dr Mary Retallack has dedicated over 30 years to help improve Australian soil health by teaching the practical skills needed to employ agroecological restoration to degraded landscapes. As an experienced agroecologist, scientist and third-generation viticulturist, she brings a wide range of skills and experience from practical, research, and teaching roles.
Mary founded and leads the award-winning national EcoVineyards program, a science-based initiative promoting soil health. EcoVineyards supports 6,251 wine growers and 2,361 winemakers in Australia, managing a combined 146,244 hectares of vineyards, in their shift towards ecological practices.
EcoVineyards provides an excellent mechanism to assist the agricultural sector to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, become ‘climate positive’ by 2050, and achieve associated ESG goals. Mary recently published a series of best practice management guides on soil health, ground covers and functional biodiversity to assist growers to embrace and accelerate meaningful practice change, along with the ‘Soil health indicators for Australian vineyards’ booklet, the great Aussie EcoVineyards earthworm count and educational videos.
Mary has worked closely with school children and growers across Australia in a range of teaching and extension roles over the past three decades to help promote soil health. Mary is empowering growers throughout Australia to heal degraded agricultural soils, helping grow the fabric of individuals and rural communities – a win for farmers and the environment.
