Growing Life: Regenerating Farming and Ranching

André Leu

$25.00

" André Leu’s new book is essential reading for farmers, gardeners, and proponents of regenerative and organic food and farming."

As modern farming and ranching evolve away from mass consolidation and industrialization, a new strategy is rapidly emerging: regenerative agriculture. These new systems being implemented across the globe require a shift in the mindset of the land manager and operator, away from being primarily reliant on external inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides, and toward dependence on knowledge, measurement and management. In this first-of-its-kind book, André Leu invites everyone to start moving a positive, regenerative direction where our actions support growing abundant life.

Inside this book, the first in a series, explore the fundamentals of regenerative agriculture, including specific, proven steps designed to grow healthy food, while protecting our natural resources like clean water, soil and air.

Readers will also learn:

  • the role of photosynthesis in a farming system;
  • successful tactics for ground cover and weed management;
  • soil health and nutrition principles;
  • ways to build functional biodiversity; and
  • implementation and execution tactics.

This includes a helpful appendix on vetted, natural inputs. Plus, enjoy inspiring pieces inside by Gary Zimmer, author of The Biological Farmer, and Vandana Shiva, global author and advocate for natural, family farming.

Copyright 2021, softcover, 248 pages.

Advanced Praise:

Regeneration is the essential next stage of organic and agro-ecological agriculture. André Leu’s new book is essential reading for farmers, gardeners, and proponents of regenerative and organic food and farming. When future generations look back on how we managed to reverse global warming and climate change, and avoid climate catastrophe, they will thank organic farmers like André Leu for teaching a new generation of farmers how to maximize soil health and photosynthesis, restore ecosystems, produce healthy nutrient-dense food, and sequester excess atmospheric CO2. — Ronnie Cummins International Director of Organic Consumers Association

In his powerful and well written new book, Growing Life, André Leu introduces us all to the concepts of regenerative organic agriculture, asks provocative questions, then shares answers only decades of experience could possibly hope to inspire, and then finally invites us on a journey to, as André says, “become your own researcher”. Every farmer needs to read, discover, and realign their priorities to focus on the power of basic biological principles to feed us all while regenerating the soil resources we need to survive as a species. André has captured the very essence of the word regenerative by clearly and simply explaining the basic building blocks of healthy soil, showcasing how the science of biology dictates that we can improve the resource we need while using it to grow food. The science of regenerative organic agriculture uncovers how the systems are complex, but the implementation isn’t complicate — Jeff Moyer, Rodale Institute, CEO, author of Roller/Crimper No-Till

I believe it’s a must read. It’s a study and guide book on the road to regeneration of soils and farms so they can have resilience and be sustainable. — Gary Zimmer, farmer, author of The Biological Farmer

André Leu brings the earth’s living processes, farmers’ knowledge and ecological sciences of living systems back to the heart of growing food.— Dr. Vandana Shiva Advocate, researcher, author of Food, Farming & Health

Growing Life is a handbook to save the planet. André Leu offers practical steps and brilliant insights derived from nature herself. Its science-based foundational principles can antidote the widespread damage that our earth has suffered. Thank you André. — Jeffrey Smith, bestselling author, filmmaker, and Executive Director at the Institute for Responsible Technology­­

About André Leu

André Leu is a practicing farmer and the international director of Regeneration International, an organization that promotes food, farming and land-use systems that regenerate and stabilize climate systems, the health of the planet and people. Regeneration International has more than 370 partners in 70 countries and works with numerous agricultural systems such as agroecology, organic, permaculture, ecological agriculture, holistic grazing, biological agriculture, organic agriculture and agroforestry. Besides his two other books titled Poisoning our Children (2018) and The Myths of Safe Pesticides (2014), his work shows up in television, magazines universities, institutions, NGOs and workshops around the world, including the United Nations. André and his wife, Julia, own and manage an organic tropical fruit farm in Daintree, in Australia.

Watch the New Release Discussion

In October of 2021, to celebrate the release of Growing Life, André Leu discussed his motivations behind and process of writing his third book. He was joined in this discussion by scientist and agriculture activist Dr. Vandana Shiva, and author/activist Ronnie Cummins, co-founder and International Director of the Organic Consumers Association.

 

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Filter Reviews:
MF
04/07/2024
Michele F.
United States United States

Great book

Still in the process of reading it. So far, so good. Everything I've ever bought from Acres U.S.A. has educated me.

LH
06/01/2023
Linda H.
United States United States

Growing Life

Interesting read. I learned a lot.

RN
05/16/2023
Richard N.
United States United States

Excellent Book

This book is excellent! I didn't expect AT ALL to read the whole book in one sitting, but I did. I couldn't put it down. Chock-a-block full of useful info. Generally well written with few errors in grammar or usage, so it's readable as well as informative. The reader doesn't have to struggle to slog through a book full of bad writing. The explanations of soil as a complex ecosystem are particularly interesting. The author gives plenty of *practical* info that you can put to immediate use in your own garden or on your own farm. I highly recommend this book to both new gardeners and to experienced gardeners or farmers.

SF
11/09/2022
Steve F.
United States United States

Excellent book on organic and regenerative growing.

Growing life is a great read. A. Comprehensive and well laid out Ok, with lots of how to practices, a nice dive into how to build soil that is rich and full of life. The molecules of life as Andre’ likes to convey. A lot here for those that want to improve their existing practices or are looking for a how to on regenerative organic practices Explains soil in a accessible and understandable way. Every thing from compost to cover crops to biological sprays and a lot more make this a must have book. For everyone who wants to take their organic growing to a higher level. Also a. Brief mention of biodynamic gardening and farming. There is plenty here to put into practice and deepen your understanding of regenerative organic growing,

KH
05/04/2022
Kent H.
United States United States

Grow Life: Regenerating Farming and Ranching

I enjoyed Andre's book very much. Well written and full of wisdom. I also enjoyed his talk at the Acre's conference last December.

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