|
|
|
|
Jump to: Featured Articles | Events Calendar | Translate Newsletter Online
Beyond “Eco-Friendly”: Travel That Heals
A new wave of travel goes beyond "eco-friendly," actively restoring ecosystems rather than just minimizing damage. The idea behind “regenerative tourism” is simple but radical: a destination should be more alive, more biodiverse, and more fertile because you visited.
Finca Luna Nueva Lodge in Costa Rica is one of the most compelling examples. Built on 130 acres beside the largest private rainforest reserve in Costa Rica, the farm grows cacao, vanilla, spices, and medicinal plants using syntropic agriculture — a method that mimics forest succession to rebuild soil, sequester carbon, and increase biodiversity over time. Guests don't just stay there; they tour the farm, harvest ingredients, make herbal medicines, and eat meals whose story begins steps from the table.
The lodge has also helped fund wildlife corridors now used by jaguars and ocelots, and served as the founding site of Regeneration International, today the world's largest regenerative agriculture network.
The question regenerative tourism asks every traveler: Will the land be better because I was there? At places like Finca Luna Nueva, the answer is yes.
Integrity in Regenerative: RI Responds to the IFOAM North America Synthetic Inputs Session
by Danielle Enblom, Regeneration International
What does "regenerative" actually mean on a product label, and can synthetic inputs ever be part of a genuine regenerative system? IFOAM North America recently brought farmers, scientists, retailers, and advocates together to work toward answers. Panelists Dr. Jon Lundgren, Dr. Linley Dixon, and Carrie Balkcom joined food system leaders in a candid discussion about greenwashing, transition models, and what it actually takes to protect the integrity of the term.
A stakeholder survey conducted alongside the session showed consensus: soil health, no synthetic inputs, no GMOs, and third-party verification as the pillars of any credible standard. RI's André Leu has been writing about these questions for years, and our position is clear:
“Degenerative practices, which are, by definition, the opposite of regenerative, cannot be deemed regenerative.”
Conversations like this one are an important step toward the shared standards the movement needs. Read our full response to the session and what it means for the movement here.
New Report Finds “Regenerative” Food Labels Are a Confusing Patchwork
by Friends of the Earth
"A new analysis of regenerative food labels reveals a rapidly expanding — but inconsistent — marketplace that risks causing consumer confusion. As interest in sustainably grown food grows, the Friends of the Earth report finds that products can bear similar claims but may represent vastly different farming practices on the ground. Consumers trying to make healthier and more environmentally responsible food choices face a grab bag of labels.
'While consumers might reasonably assume that 'regenerative' food is grown without toxic pesticides, that's not always the case,' said Sarah Starman, senior campaigner at Friends of the Earth U.S. 'Some regenerative labeling programs allow the use of synthetic pesticides, including substances linked to cancer, hormone disruption, infertility, and neurological harm. Consumers may not always be getting what they believe they're paying for.'
The report evaluates 10 prominent food labeling programs, finding that certifications using the term 'regenerative' vary dramatically in what they actually require—and some of the most rigorous standards meeting regenerative principles don't use the term at all."
The Battle for African Agriculture Podcast – How the World Lost Control of Seeds with Pat Mooney
by Battle For African Agriculture Podcast
"In this episode of The Battle for African Agriculture, the first part of a three part series, Dr. Million Belay speaks with Pat Mooney, a member of the IPES-Food, co founder and former director of ETC Group, IFOAM Ambassador, and chair of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. He is a recipient of the Right Livelihood Award, often known as the Alternative Nobel Prize, the Pearson Peace Prize from Canada's Governor General, and the American Giraffe Award for 'sticking his neck out,' and has also received honorary doctoral degrees from the University of Waterloo in Canada and the 17 Advanced Research Institutes in Mexico.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in global civil society struggles for seed sovereignty, biodiversity, and food justice, Pat reflects on a journey that began in the 1960s, when early exposure to global hunger debates and international food politics pushed him beyond a simple belief in development assistance and toward a deeper understanding of power, inequality, and control in food systems.
The conversation traces Pat Mooney's central role in exposing the rise of corporate control over seeds and agricultural research. He explains how, from the 1970s onward, large oil, chemical, and pharmaceutical companies began buying seed companies and pushing intellectual property regimes that would give them monopoly power over agriculture. He discusses the founding of RAFI, later ETC Group, and the long political battles around plant breeders' rights, farmers' rights, biopiracy, and the creation of international mechanisms on plant genetic resources."
Join the Regeneration Movement!
Transform the way we grow food, heal our planet, and create a sustainable future. Your donation empowers and educates farmers, scientists, and changemakers to implement regenerative practices that:
-Rebuild soil health and boost biodiversity
-Cool our planet by returning carbon to the soil
-Ensure nutritious food for communities worldwide
-Revitalize local economies and create sustainable livelihoods
Every dollar counts. Your support drives positive change across the globe.
Donate today and be part of a powerful worldwide movement restoring our planet's health. Your gift makes a difference. Donate now!
Make a tax-deductible donation to Regeneration International
How Hidden Soil Fungi ‘Steal’ Bacterial DNA to Control the Rain
by Diana R. Andrade-Linares
"Tiny organisms on the ground – bacteria and fungi – have a 'superpower' that allows them to reach up into the atmosphere and pull down the rain, according to a recent study.
To understand how a microbe can control a storm, we first have to look at how clouds become rain. High up in the atmosphere, water doesn't always freeze at 0°C. Temperatures are normally much lower at cloud level but pure water can stay liquid down to a bone-chilling -40°C.
Most rain starts as ice. In the atmosphere, clouds are full of 'supercooled' water – liquid that is colder than freezing but hasn't turned to ice yet because it has nothing to hold onto.
For a cloud to turn into rain or snow, it needs a 'seed' – a tiny particle for water molecules to grab onto so they can crystallise into ice, then fall from the clouds as rain. Dust, soot and salt – swept into the clouds by wind – can do this, but they aren't very good at it. They usually require the temperature to drop significantly before they start working. This is where biology enters the frame."
Voices of Regeneration
This newsletter reaches more than 750 partner organizations across 80+ countries, each one advancing regenerative food, farming, and land stewardship in their own region, in their own way. This section is dedicated to the people and organizations behind that work. Each issue we'll feature a farmer, researcher, advocate, or partner doing something worth knowing about.
Asian Rural Institute: Rooted in Community, Growing Global Leaders
For more than 50 years, the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) has been quietly doing transformational work — training grassroots rural leaders from across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific to build self-reliant, thriving communities back home.
Each year, participants from roughly 15 countries gather at ARI's residential campus in Japan, where organic farming isn't just a curriculum subject — it's the daily rhythm of life. Guided by the motto "That We May Live Together," ARI brings together people of different nationalities, religions, and cultures to learn practical leadership and sustainable agriculture side by side.
ARI’s vision is simple but powerful: lasting change in rural communities starts with the people already rooted in them. By equipping local leaders with the skills and confidence to drive their own development, ARI is helping to build a more just and peaceful world — one community at a time.
Learn more at their website
Stay up to date on their work by following their Facebook page.
Are you an RI partner? We want to hear from you.
Every month, we feature partner profiles, stories, and initiatives right here and across RI's social media channels. Whether you have an update about your work, a video highlighting a regenerative solution, or a story from your community, we'd love to share it. Send your content to [email protected] — and if your organization is hosting classes, workshops, trainings, or events, we can help amplify those too.
Not yet part of the network? RI's partner community spans more than 740 organizations in over 80 countries, united by a shared commitment to regenerative food, farming, and land stewardship. Join us here.
Distribute the Capacity to Grow Food, Not the Food Itself
by Re-Generation
"We often hear that only intensive, industrial agriculture can produce enough to feed a growing global population.
'Let's start with a reality check. Is intensive agriculture feeding the world today? In 2024, over 800 million people are still hungry. Two billion people experience food insecurity, and in 2020, three billion people could not afford a healthy diet. Despite high-yield intensive agriculture, we still fail to feed the world, and we are destroying our ecosystems in the process. These are the facts.'
Why can't intensive agriculture feed the world?
'Who will transport the food to where the poorest people live? There's no attractive market there, and infrastructure is lacking. We know the idea of food distribution from famine relief, but it's not a structural solution. Ultimately, you must distribute the capacity to grow food, not the food itself.'"
The Regeneration International Academy – Certificate Course on Agroecological, Regenerative and Organic Agriculture (AROA)
We are excited to announce that another Certificate Course on Agroecological, Regenerative, and Organic Agriculture is starting soon.
Discover how to grow food in ways that restore ecosystems, build healthier soil, and support long-term resilience.
Regeneration International's certificate course, offered in conjunction with South Seas University and taught by André Leu, blends regenerative agriculture, organic farming, and agroecology into a practical, science-based program that empowers you to design productive, climate-resilient farming systems.
Whether you're a grower, student, or sustainability advocate, this course provides the tools, global perspective, and credibility to make real impact. Join a worldwide network of practitioners and learn how to shift agriculture from extractive to regenerative, creating healthier farms, communities, and landscapes.
You'll leave the course with practical strategies you can apply immediately, whether you're improving an existing farm, launching a new project, or contributing to policy and community initiatives. Grounded in essential regenerative principles, the program strengthens your confidence and skills to advance meaningful change in food and farming systems. More than a training, this certificate connects you to a global movement and equips you with the science-based tools and knowledge you've been seeking.
A reduced price is available for anyone with limited income who wants to participate. Please join us!
What Happens When Doctors Start Prescribing Food Instead of Pills?
by Stacey Leasca
"One day, the Rockefeller Foundation hopes you can leave a doctor's office with a new kind of prescription. Not for another pill, but for a bushel of apples, a head of lettuce, some organic meat, and maybe a piece of dark chocolate, all tailored to your specific health needs. While it may sound like a wellness fantasy, this is happening in small pockets across the U.S., where Food Is Medicine initiatives are taking shape. And it turns out these initiatives are more than just delicious — they could have the power to seriously boost the American economy.
In early March, the foundation released a new report, From Farm to FIM: The Economic Impact of Local Food is Medicine, which analyzed what would happen if Food Is Medicine (FIM) programs—offering produce prescriptions and medically tailored meals to people with diet-related conditions—were expanded to reach the 43 million Americans who need them most."
Urgent Appeal: Stand with the Guarani
by Survival International
"Survival International has been standing alongside the Guarani's fight for their lands for decades. Please, donate to our campaigns today to help support their resistance.
What We Do
We work with Indigenous peoples who want our support in their most urgent struggles. We stop loggers, miners, and oil companies from destroying Indigenous lands, lives and livelihoods.
We lobby governments to recognize Indigenous land rights. We document and expose the atrocities committed against Indigenous people and take direct action to stop them. Survival works in partnership with Indigenous peoples. Join us in fighting alongside them."
|
|
Why Organic Farming Feels Slower — but Works Deeper
Understanding the long-term thinking behind sustainable agriculture.
Regen Nutrition Project Measures Real Food Nutrient Density
The Nutrient Density Initiative (NDI) and Edacious are leading the Regen Nutrition Project to explore how food production practices influence the nutritional quality of foods.
Regulating Bees Beyond Property and Pristine Nature: Ecological Thinking and Biocultural Landscapes in Mexico
In 2024, a landmark judicial ruling in Mexico formally recognized the ecological value of bees, setting a precedent for eco-centric legal interpretations of biodiversity. This decision responded to a long-standing struggle led by Indigenous and peasant beekeepers from the Yucatán Peninsula, who opposed the expansion of the agro-industrial model into established agroecological landscape.
Honoring Native Mothers: Our First Teachers
This Mother's Day, Native News Online honors Native mothers — the life-givers, the culture-keepers, the women whose strength holds our nations together. For Native peoples, motherhood is more than a role. It is a sacred calling that connects past to present and breathes life into seven future generations.
New Report Finds “Regenerative” Food Labels Are a Confusing Patchwork
While consumers think “regenerative” means no pesticides, they're often wrong—organic stands out as most rigorous, reliable standard for reducing pesticide exposure.
Critical Minerals, Fertilisers, Agrochemicals, Digital Power, And The Erosion of Food Sovereignty
This paper was conceived by ACB's director, Mariam Mayet, and produced as a collective output of the ACB, drawing on the organisation's long-standing research, analysis, and engagement across networks and food systems, spanning extractivism, agroecology, and democratic control over resources.
The Harsh Reality of Farming
Why I'm considering quitting after 10 years of sustainable farming.
Earth Day 2026: Agroecology and Micronutrient Supplements Power Food Sovereignty
For Earth Day 2026, we explore the importance of agroecological practices that drive enhanced nutrition through diverse diets while uplifting local and indigenous staples. With the theme of “Our Power, Our Planet,” we also examine the links between micronutrient supplementation in agriculture programs for healthy child growth and development.
Ditch Power Tools, Build a Hedgehog Highway: How to Create a Nature-Friendly Garden
Inspired by David Attenborough's Secret Garden? Try these easy, enjoyable tips to turn your outdoor space into a sanctuary for wildlife.
One in Five Assessed Soil Species at Risk of Extinction, Data Needed for Thousands More – Study
New research finds that one in five assessed soil-dependent species is threatened with extinction on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. Researchers call for more soil-dependent species to be assessed on the IUCN Red List.
Are Southeast Asia's Organic Farmers More Resilient to Fertiliser Price Spikes?
Organic farmers in Malaysia and Indonesia have built small-scale models of food security and fairer trade for local communities. However, there are challenges to widespread adoption, including the time needed to improve soil health and expertise required to implement organic practices, experts say.
‘Miracle Tree’ Removes 98% of Microplastics From Drinking Water, Outperforming Chemical Alternatives
Moringa is thought to have been used by Ancient Egyptians to sterilise water.
|
Upcoming Events |
In Person:
06/02 - Organic Cotton Summit, Istanbul, Türkiye.
06/02 - Rooted in Water: Agroforestry for Resilient Farms and Rivers. Maple Cross, England.
06/07 - Terra Madre Europe. Bruxelles, Belgium.
06/07 - Just Transformations: Reimagining Sustainable Food Systems and Cultures. Vermont, USA.
06/09 - Taste & Talk Agroecology in Action. Brussels, Belgium.
06/17 - 7th Global Summit on Agriculture & Organic Farming, Paris, France.
Online:
06/02 - Webinar – The Impact of Cover Crops on Carbon Emissions.
06/04 - Webinar – Regenerative Minimum Standards: Work Group on Soil Health and Fertility.
06/11 - Webinar – Catalysts and Facilitators of The Agroecological Transition.
06/16 - Webinar - Let’s Discuss Organic 2026 – Session 6: Organic Farm Knowledge and Organic Eprints.
06/17 - Webinar – Désertif’actions.
06/18 - Webinar – Diplomado Agricultura Regenerativa.
*Click here to view full events calendar and submit your own
|
|
|
Regeneration International is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, dedicated to building a global network of farmers, scientists, businesses, activists, educators, journalists, policymakers and consumers who will promote and put into practice regenerative agriculture and land-use practices that: provide abundant, nutritious food; revitalize local economies; regenerate soil fertility and water-retention capacity; nurture biodiversity; and restore climate stability by reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions while at the same time drawing down excess atmospheric carbon and sequestering it in the soil.
This email was sent to
Click Here to Unsubscribe