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Regenerative agriculture is a new name for ideas and practices that have been implemented by various cultures for hundreds of years (and in some cases, even longer).

Regenerative agriculture focuses on regenerating soils and ecosystems through biodiversity, and in this way reduce the carbon footprint of farming - and in some cases, even negates it.

It’s important to gain perspective of the historical scope of regenerative agriculture, so that we can honor the Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian progenitors of the principles of sustainable farming which has the potential to change the world for the better if adopted on a global scale.

If you're interested in learning more about the origins of regenerative agriculture, the following regenerative agriculture books are a great place to start.

Each of these regenerative agriculture books offers a unique perspective on regenerative agriculture, from the practical challenges of implementing the practices to the broader social, historical and political implications of this approach to farming.

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Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm's Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land a book by Leah Penniman and Karen Washington

keypoints:

- a comprehensive overview of the ways that people of African and Latinx heritage have contributed to land stewardship and sustainability practices in farming

- learn how issues of food justice, social justice and environmental justice are deeply connected

- a must-read for anyone looking to start a farm or homestead

- shares Penniman’s story in addition to the stories of other BIPOC farmers and what they have learned from farming across the country

- outlines ways for farmers of African heritage to reclaim their ancestral land stewardship techniques, for for farmers of European heritage to take steps to make positive changes towards a more sustainable and equitable future

- examines the science of how soil health supports the environment and how to implement best practices for your food and for the earth

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Indigenous Food Sovereignty in the United States: Restoring Cultural Knowledge, Protecting Environments, and Regaining Health a book by Devon a. Mihesuah, Elizabeth Hoover, and Winona LaDuke

keypoints:

- explores different perspectives of the agricultural legacy of indigenous peoples, from farmers to historians, seed savers to chefs, activists to nutritionists

- looks at the numerous ways indigenous people have supported ecological health, diversity of species, and food sovereignty

- speaks to the importance of native plants and food ways, and how they can be uplifted

- important information for understanding the scope of history of the land of the United States

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The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming a book by Masanobu Fukuoka, Wendell Berry, and Larry Korn

key points:

- inspirational look at how Masanobu Fukuoka found simple but powerful ways to build soil health and fertility on his farm

- advocates for a way to farm without pesticides, tillage, or fertilizer - key points within the regenerative system of agriculture

- is a really wonderful read, full of wisdom and interesting anecdotes

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Farmers of Forty Centuries: Organic Farming in China, Korea, and Japan a book by F. H. King

key points:

- this book was written in 1911 and offers a unique perspective into the farming practices in China, Korea and Japan during that time period and in the last 40,000 years

i- s written at an interesting time in history - right before the Dust Bowl in the United States

- explores many methods commonly found in regenerative farming today - reforestation, land stewardship, crop rotation, and, most importantly, building soil health

- highlights ways farming was and can be practiced without fossil fuels, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, etc.

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Sowing Seeds in the Desert: Natural Farming, Global Restoration, and Ultimate Food Security a book by Masanobu Fukuoka and Larry Korn

key points:

- interesting observations on how Fukuoka’s practices can be applied to areas that seem beyond cultivation today, especially in drought-stricken climates

- follows Fukuoka as he travels through the world, from Africa to Europe to the United States, and shares the advice he gave to the farmers he met on how to grow food sustainably, regenerate the soil, and build soil health

- showcases how plants can thrive in low-water situations

- offers insight to Fukuoka’s philosophies and way of thinking

- an important read for anyone growing food during the anthropocene

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Healing Grounds: Climate, Justice, and the Deep Roots of Regenerative Farming a book by Liz Carlisle and Ricardo Salvador

key points:

- tells the stories of people from different cultural backgrounds in America and Mexico and how they are connecting with their ancestral and regenerative ways of growing food

- focuses on people from Indigenous, African, Latinx, and Asian heritages living in America in present day

- looks at how racial discrimination and inequality throughout history ties into agriculture and environmentalism

- explores ways of tending to the soil and the land and the cultural significance of those ideas for each farmer

- highlights that regenerating a diversity of people and ideas is essential to the regenerative movement

- a call to create change, to foster healing, and to build community and resilience together

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Like these regenerative agriculture books and want to read more?

Have a look at our list for the best books on sustainable gardening, or the 10 best helpful gardening books for beginners.

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