Andre Leu

Is it possible to solve the global climate emergency utilising “waste” agricultural product? The Regenerative Agriculture Solution tells the story of how two brothers – Jose and Gilberto Flores – are at the cutting edge of this approach, pioneering the use of the previously discarded leaves of the agave plant to regenerate agricultural soils, reduce erosion and improve water capture. Amazingly, these innovative, ecologically minded methods also benefit their local economy in Mexico, creating jobs by producing an inexpensive livestock feed supplement that has potential to grow into a multi-billion-dollar industry and change the face of agriculture, animal husbandry, ecosystem restoration and climate change. When Ronnie Cummins, the cofounder of Organic Consumer Association (OCA), met the Flores brothers and saw their agave agroforestry system, he knew they were onto something revolutionary. Having spent decades studying regenerative agriculture, Cummins knew best practice when he saw it, and the scientific data was equally impressive, suggesting projects like this could revolutionise the way we understand and help arrest the climate catastrophe. Sadly, Cummins passed away in April 2023, in the midst of working on this very book telling the Flores brothers’ extraordinary story. Not to leave this work unfinished, Ronnie’s widow and OCA cofounder, Rose, called on their friend, colleague, and Regeneration International’s co-founder André Leu, to complete Ronnie’s work and share the Flores brothers’ breakthroughs in the broader context of global regenerative agriculture. The Regenerative Agriculture Solution is more than a good news story; it’s an agricultural, agroforestry and public policy blueprint, as well as a call to action for organic and regenerative farmers and consumers alike to address the climate, health and environmental crises as well as rural poverty.

The chemical-based conventional agriculture industry claims that the synthesized concoctions they sell as pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides are safe when used as directed, but does the scientific evidence truly support their assertions? Organic agriculturist and lecturer Andre Leu delves into a wealth of respected scientific journals to present the peer-reviewed evidence that proves the claims of chemical companies and pesticide regulators are not all they seem. Leu translates technical jargon into layman s terms to break down the five most-repeated myths about pesticide safety, refuting them using scientific data. The pesticide industry argues that agriculture, and the global population itself, cannot survive without its products, but Leu warns that we are at risk unless we break free of their toxic hold and turn to more natural methods of pest and weed regulation.