How a Tropical Farmer Helped Build A Global Regeneration Network, with André Leu

André Leu is co-founder and Director of Regeneration International. That’s the world's largest network geared towards the transition to regenerative food, farming and land management, for the purpose of restoring climate stability, ending world hunger and rebuilding social, ecological and economic systems. It includes over 740 organisations across more than 80 countries, and humble individual members like your host, and is in the midst of exponential growth in interest. 

I catch up with André as he sits on the deck at his pioneering tropical fruit farm in the Daintree of far north Queensland. I’m eager to chat about his 50 years as a farmer, educator, author, rock musician and movement builder.

We start with the regenerated farm, now lush, green and productive, and he says, ‘just getting better and better’. How’s that for a narrative we could do with hearing more of right now? We go on to chat about his coming of age in the heart of the Aboriginal land rights movement, and the dawn of rock’n’roll.

We hear stories of legends, and a love story too, with his wife of almost 50 years. More well-known than him too, he says. And why did this pioneering organic farmer who’s led a movement for organics and regeneration for decades ditch his organic certification? And is Gina Rinehart really the world’s biggest organic farmer? 

So much to talk about. So settle in with us, on André’s veranda, with the sound of the trees in the tropical breeze. 

Chapter markers & transcript.

Recorded 6 August 2026.

See more photos on the episode web page, and for more behind the scenes, become a supporting listener below.

Music: 

Rowdy, by The Lonely Ramblers (from Artlist).

Regeneration, by Amelia Barden.

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