Episode 18: Regeneration International André Leu DSc - How Can We Create A Regenerative Food System?

André Leu, DSc, is the International Director of Regeneration International.   André Leu, DSc, was named International Director of Regeneration International in 2017. Prior to then, he was president of IFOAM—Organics International, the international umbrella organization for the organic sector. During his tenure as president of IFOAM, Andre served on the Regeneration International steering committee. During 40-plus years of visiting and working in more than 100 countries, Andre acquired an extensive knowledge of farming and environmental systems across Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa and Australasia.   Regeneration International, a project of the Organic Consumers Association, is a nonprofit dedicated to building a global network of farmers, scientists, businesses, activists, educators, journalists, governments and consumers who will promote and put into practice regenerative agriculture and land-use practices that: provide abundant, nutritious food; revive local economies; rebuild soil fertility and biodiversity; and restore climate stability by returning carbon to the soil, through the natural process of photosynthesis. Through its global network, Regeneration International is connected to 4.1 million consumers, farmers, activists, scientists and policymakers in over 100 countries.   TOPICS EXPLORED 0:00 – 1:35 – Introduction 1:35 – 4:41 – What is Regeneration International and what types of work does it do? 4:41 – 6:02 – How did you become interested in food and agriculture? 6:02 – 9:57 – Can you tell me about your time spent as an organic farmer? 9:57 – 15:07 – From 2011 to 2017 you served as the President of the International Federation of Organic Movements (IFOAM). Can you tell me a bit about IFOAM and what your time as President of IFOAM was like? 15:07 – 17:46 – What are your thoughts on certification schemes such as organic and regenerative organic certified? What role can they play in helping people produce and consume environmentally sustainable food? 17:46 – 20:25 – How would you define regenerative agriculture? 20:25 – 23:16 – What are some of your concerns with pesticides and GMOs? 23:16 – 26:0 – What can people do to ensure that products that are genetically modified, made with CRISPR, or in similar ways are labeled transparently? 26:02 – 28:41 – There is concern about climate change and meat consumption. What role can animals play in regenerative agriculture systems? 28:41 – 30:43 – What is the Regeneration International Regeneration Hub? 30:43 – 32:01 – What is the 4 per 1000: Soils for Food Security and Climate Initiative? 32:01 – 36:16 – Your book, The Regenerative Agriculture Solution co-written with Ronnie Cummins and with a forward by Vandana Shiva, will be released on September 12th of this year. What are some of the key topics in the book? 36:16 – 38:16 – What has your experience teaching at universities been like? 38:16 – 38:51 – What are you most proud of so far in your career in food and agriculture?   REGENERATION INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION Regeneration International: https://regenerationinternational.org/   RESOURCES The Regenerative Agriculture Solution: https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/the-regenerative-agriculture-solution/ Regeneration International Learning Center: https://regenerationinternational.org/learning-center   FOOD FOR YOU AND THE PLANET PODCAST INFORMATION Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/food-for-you-and-the-planet/id1739416396 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pkAIuXxl9dzD48b7qMOL1 RSS: https://feeds.libsyn.com/506343/rss Podcast Instagram: @foodforyouandtheplanet   TAGS Food Environment Health Podcast Sustainability André Leu Regeneration International Regenerative Agriculture Regenerative Organic Agriculture Organic Agriculture