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We are delighted to present the EcoGrowers podcast where we discuss practical ways of growing in harmony with nature!
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About Dr Mary Retallack
Mary is the founder and custodian of the award winning EcoVineyards program which champions practical ecological solutions for a broad range of production systems.
As an experienced agricultural scientist, agroecologist, and third-generation viticulturist, Mary brings a wide range of skills and experience from practical, research, teaching, consultancy roles and is recognised internationally as a Chartered Agriculturist (CAg).
These skills have been gathered over more than 30 years along with a PhD in Viticulture and Plant Protection and tertiary qualifications in Conservation and Park Management, Natural Resource Management, Education, Viticulture, and Arbitration. Mary is a recognised leader in the fields of agroecology, functional biodiversity enhancement and native insectary plants and is a sought after speaker on these topics. She is also an adult education extension specialist.
Her PhD studies focused on the role of native insectary plants and measurement of their functional biodiversity benefits by assessing the predatory arthropods found in association.
Mary has published broadly on the topics of agroecology, regenerative production practices, native ground cover species, functional biodiversity enhancement in vineyards and the arthropods found in association.
Mary’s leadership, excellence in science and education have been acknowledged as a Landcare Australia's 2025 General Jeffrey Soil Health Award finalist; Women in Innovation Award winner; Wine Communicator Awards winner; SA Women of Impact Awards finalist, Australia Day Award for Active Citizenship recipient; induction to SA Women’s Honour Roll; SA Environment Awards (innovation) winner; Gourmet Traveller WINE Len Evans Award for Leadership; The Australian inaugural list of 100 Green Power Players; Bob Hawke Landcare Award finalist; AgriFutures Australia Rural Women’s Award national winner; Emerald Grain’s list of 100 Women in Australian Agribusiness; Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame; and as a participant in the National Farmers’ Federation inaugural Diversity in Agriculture Leadership program. Her work has been featured on the ABC’s Gardening Australia program.
She has given numerous presentations and is based in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia and consults internationally.
About Dan Falkenberg
Dan is a third generation Barossa vigneron and has 30 years of experience in all facets of viticulture and ecological land management practices. He has worked for large corporate companies and several family-owned wineries and vineyards.
As active leader in the Barossa viticultural community Dan has been involved with the Barossa Viticultural Technical Group, Creating Resilient landscapes program, Wildlife for Wine, EcoVineyards and has been involved in many Barossa Australia funded projects. He has been the recipient of several federal funded government grants to investigate enhancing vineyard biodiversity and regenerative land management practices using native perennial grasses.
Dan has been the Viticulturist for Eden Hall Wines since 2011, where he has implemented extensive regenerative and biological viticultural practices including, biodiversity programs, mulching, compost production, bio stimulant production, mid-row and under vine native grass establishment and holistic grazing systems.
In 2018 Dan was awarded the Barons of the Barossa Viticulturist of the year and most recently Eden Hall won the prestigious 2022 Young Gun of Wine ‘vineyard of the year’.
Acknowledgements
The National EcoVineyards Program was funded by Wine Australia from 2023 to 2025 with levies from Australia’s grape growers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government.
The program is delivered by Retallack Viticulture and Ecology with significant support from regional communities and wine grape growers.
Disclaimer
The information covered in the podcast is provided for informational purposes only. Retallack Viticulture Pty Ltd gives no representation or warranties in relation to the content provided without limitation that they are without error or are appropriate for any particular purpose. No person should act in reliance on the content of information covered in the podcast without first obtaining specific, independent professional advice having regard to their particular site(s). Retallack Viticulture Pty Ltd accepts no liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage of any nature suffered or incurred in reliance on the content of the information covered in the podcast.