The Regenerative Agriculture Solution by Ronnie Cummins and Andre Leu makes a compelling case for regenerative agriculture as a pathway to improving food production, sequestering carbon, and restoring soil health. The book focuses heavily on the Agave model used in Mexico and other arid regions. Written in 2024, it opens with the story of how this approach began in Mexico, narrated by Ronnie Cummins, who also contributes the closing section. The remainder, authored by Andre Leu, broadens the scope by presenting examples beyond the Agave system and analyzing how different regenerative models enhance carbon sequestration, soil vitality, and agricultural productivity. The Vía Orgánica Agroecology Center in the drylands of Mexico includes olive trees, pomegranates, mulberry trees, and other cover crops that thrive via precise cistern-fed drip irrigation.
Historically, livestock have been scarce in this region due to the difficulty of maintaining feed supplies in such dry conditions. This changed when Dr. Juan Frías of the agroecology center began experimenting with agave as livestock feed. Traditionally, agave leaves have been inputs to alcoholic beverages. In the regenerative system, however, the leaves (pencas) are chopped using a tractor’s power takeoff and fermented anaerobically in sealed containers to produce silage. This provides a sustainable feed source in arid regions where forage is scarce.
One case study highlighted is Hacienda Zamarripa Ranch, a sheep and goat operation where agave is interplanted with nitrogen-fixing acacia trees. These trees are planted along contour lines to prevent erosion, stimulate pasture growth, and capture rainwater in the soil. Their deep roots also make them naturally drought resistant, creating a complete regenerative system.
The book places these practices in the wider context of climate change, arguing that many conventional adaptation strategies are inadequate. It defines regenerative agriculture, provides historical context, and outlines its diverse applications. While the Agave model is discussed in depth, the book also touches on a broader set of regenerative strategies, including long rotations, cover crops, green manures, legumes, composting, and organic fertilizers. Though covered more briefly, these approaches share a common philosophy: replacing monocultures with diverse, perennial plant-and-animal systems that restore soils and build resilient agroecosystems.
Among the agroforestry and land management practices described are:
- Adaptive Multi-Paddock (AMP) grazing – rotating livestock to prevent overgrazing.
- Pasture cropping – planting crops directly into perennial pasture rather than bare soil.
- Holistic planned grazing – managing livestock movement to regenerate biodiversity.
- Alley cropping – growing crops between rows of leguminous trees.
- No-kill/no-till systems – using mulch and, compost, with crop rotations to build soil health and break pest cycles without tillage or chemical inputs.
The authors highlight successful examples from around the world where regenerative approaches have boosted biodiversity and improved livelihoods. Still, as with many books on regenerative agriculture, this one would be strengthened by more direct comparisons—both ecological and economic—between regenerative systems and conventional industrial monocultures. For instance, side-by-side data on soil organic matter or profitability would help readers better grasp the tangible advantages of regenerative farming.
for further reading about regenerative agriculture see an earlier Hunger Notes article, https://www.worldhunger.org/regenerative-agriculture-to-mitigate-hunger-thurows-latest-book
Regenerative Agriculture to Mitigate Hunger: Thurow’s Latest Book
