Here is a short list of the Best Regenerative Agriculture Books: Our Top 5 which are our own 'go-to top 5' books on the subject of all things regenerative agriculture. 

Each of these great titles is very easy to read and highly relatable to farm producers, home gardeners, or keen consumers looking to delve deeper into a subject that is critical to our future food security and soil health.

 

 

 

What Is Regenerative Agriculture?

Regenerative agriculture refers to grazing and farming practices prioritizing improving and maintaining soil health. Soil is incredibly important as it grows our food, provides us with drinking water, and mitigates greenhouse gas emissions. However, our earth’s topsoil is in danger due to erosion from harsh weather conditions, particularly after the 1930s Dust Bowl, and later through industrial farming. 

Some examples of regenerative agriculture include avoiding harmful chemical-based fertilizers, composting, and permaculture land management. These practices are often found in no-till, no-dig gardens and regenerative organic farms, one of the five primary food farming systems, along with conventional farming, industrial feedlot farming, regenerative farming, and organic farming. 

Thanks to more farmers embracing regenerative agricultural practices and policies like the Soil Conservation Act from decades gone by (even if there’s still room for ALOT of improvement and new action on soil conservation), we have huge hope, that the interest in regenerative agriculture amongst producers and consumers will ultimately mean a significant improvement in soil health and biodiversity over time. 

 

 

Best Books To Read To Learn About Regenerative Agriculture 

Ready to dive in headfirst into the world of regenerative agriculture? Reading one of the terrific and informative books below is a great place to start for keen consumers and food producers looking to make a meaningful change to their current practices.   

1. Dirt To Soil: One Family’s Journey Into Regenerative Agriculture 

Author: Gabe Brown 

 

Summary: When his family’s North Dakota farm experienced major crop disasters due to harsh weather, Brown had to discover innovative ways to improve soil health. This book showcases all that Brown has learned from fellow ranchers and through his own research and regenerative agriculture experiences.

 

What We Like About This Regenerative Agriculture Book:

This book is formatted as an engaging yet practical guidebook to regenerative agriculture, offering a straightforward explanation for beginners paired with his experience from the Brown family ranch.

2. Call Of The Reed Warbler: A New Agriculture, A New Earth 

 

Author: Charles Massy

 

Summary: Charles Massy is a farmer who evolved from using chemical-based fertilizers on dead soil to a full-blown ecologist engaged in the “grassroots revolution.” He provides stories from his own experience on his 2000-hectare farm, along with success stories from other farmers pursuing regenerative organic practices. 

 

What We Like About This Regenerative Agriculture Book:

Despite being so informative, Massy does an excellent job with his storytelling. This book will keep you engaged from start to finish and hopefully inspire you to join the grassroots revolution!

3. Growing A Revolution: Bringing Our Soil Back To Life

 

Author: David R. Montgomery 

Summary: In this book, geologist and author David R. Montgomery interview farmers from across the globe to learn more about regenerative agriculture and restoring soil health. He discovers three principles of conservation agriculture: diversifying crops, avoiding tillage and plows, and planting cover crops is the optimal way to preserve our topsoil.  

 

What We Like About This Regenerative Agriculture Book:

This book was a super intriguing read! As someone who appreciates travel and learning about other cultures (only slightly more than regenerative agriculture, that is), it was great to see how different farmers utilize ethical farming practices worldwide. 

4. For The Love Of Soil: Strategies To Regenerate Our Food Production Systems 

Author: Nicole Masters 

 

Summary: This regenerative agriculture book was written as a land management roadmap for growing nourished soil, improving animal and plant health, and revitalizing our overall food systems. Masters is an acclaimed advocate for topsoil health amidst our current soil crisis, using lessons from industry experts and her own experience to educate the masses. 

 

What We Like About This Regenerative Agriculture Book:

This book does a fantastic job of presenting technical information in an interesting manner. Furthermore, I really enjoyed Masters’ personal anecdotes and comedic relief, which is sometimes hard to come by with topics as serious as regenerative agriculture. 

5. The Regenerative Garden: 80 Practical Projects For Creating A Self-Sustaining Garden Ecosystem 

 

Author: Stephanie Rose

 

Summary: This fascinating non-fiction book explains how regenerative agriculture can improve our gardens, especially via permaculture. Among my favorites of the eighty projects listed in this book is developing a butterfly migration station to support pollinators like butterflies, bees, moths, bats, and certain birds. Pollination is natural fertilization and essential for growing healthy, beautiful flowers. This project not only aids your garden’s health but also attracts gorgeous butterflies! 

 

What We Like About This Regenerative Agriculture Book:
We know that not all our readers own and operate farms, but many of them have a garden or even potted plants! This book is the perfect starting point for implementing regenerative agricultural practices to create a thriving garden and underground ecosystem. It breaks the concepts down while providing step-by-step instructions for projects that can help you achieve just that. 

 

 

How And Where Can I Read These Regenerative Agriculture Books? 

You can purchase these regenerative agriculture books on Amazon.com, including the option to download them onto your Kindle (or mobile / iPad application). In addition, you should also be able to find a copy in the agriculture section at your local bookshop or Barnes and Noble.