Emergency film recommendations!
Two excellent documentaries about regenerative agriculture and soil health
If you’ve taken any interest in my previous rants about the wonders of permaculture, composting, and/or “growing the revolution,” then I HIGHLY recommend you watch both Kiss the Ground (2020) and Common Ground (2023) immediately.
I finally watched these documentaries this past weekend and was bowled over by how well they communicate the importance (and simplicity!) of regenerative agriculture. They do a great job of explaining the hideous colonialism, corruption, and chemicals that got us into this dusty mess, and then follow that up with an array of clear and simple solutions for a better future.
“Regenerative agriculture is just indigenous principles.”
-Common Ground
As I learn more and more about “working in climate,” I’ve become pretty disillusioned by what I consider an over-emphasis (and therefore over-funding) on climate tech—e.g., engineered carbon removal, ultra-processed plant-based meats, etc. To me, it just makes more sense to focus on the “green technology” that’s been naturally sequestering carbon really well and producing food for eons: PLANTS IN HEALTHY SOIL!
“We need to stop wondering how we can green this planet. We’re already doing it at a scale that can be done worldwide.”
-Common Ground
Even if you don’t care about niche things like climate change, factory farms, corporate greed, or the impending extinction of life on Earth… you should still watch these films if you care about food and/or health at all. :)
“The way we are growing food is threatening our future ability to grow food.”
-Common Ground
I could go on, but Kiss the Ground and Common Ground do a far better job of explaining everything I’m so fired up about—so I’ll stop here and let you watch the trailers (which, in my opinion, don’t even do their films justice).
Kiss the Ground - Streaming now on Netflix!
Common Ground - Streaming May 3-12 via this link (register and they’ll send you a link to watch!) I’ll update this page once it’s on Netflix or something.
Hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think once you’ve watched them :)