Those attending the recent private screening of the ‘Six Inches of Soil’ at the Everyman Cinema in Stratford-upon-Avon were given an exclusive insight into the world of the farmers, communities, small businesses, chefs, and entrepreneurs who are leading the way to transform how food is produced and consumed.
The film tells the inspiring story of young British farmers standing up against the industrial food system and transforming the way they produce food and explores the methods of regenerative agriculture that restore soil and ecosystem health, address inequity, and leave our land, waters, and climate in better shape for the future.
Given that approximately 178,000 farmers work in the UK to manage 71% of the UK's land, this provides only half of the food we eat, making it so that as a nation we are importing the rest. Current farming practices significantly contribute to soil degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change. Regenerative farming practices, within an agroecological system, promote healthier soils, provide healthier, affordable food, restore biodiversity, and sequester carbon.
‘Six Inches of Soil’ is a story of three new farmers on the first year of their regenerative journey to heal the soil and help transform the food system. Anna Jackson, a Lincolnshire 11th-generation arable and sheep farmer; Adrienne Gordon, a Cambridgeshire small-scale vegetable farmer; and Ben Thomas, who rears pasture-fed beef cattle in Cornwall.
The trio of young farmers strive to adopt regenerative practices and create viable businesses as they meet various mentors who help them on their journey. They are joined by other experts providing wisdom and solutions from a growing movement of people who are dedicated to changing the trajectory for food, farming, and the planet. The farmers navigate a broken food system, farming in a landscape degraded by industrial agriculture and learn how to reconnect people with the soil, where their food comes from and how it is produced. They explore the connection between food and health, food poverty and affordability, and the role animals play in the farming system,
Euan McKenzie-Rhodes, Principal Surveyor and Property Manager at Severn Trent attended the private screening, he said: “The film was very enlightening and provided valuable insights into regenerative farming practices and underscored the critical role of soil health in sustainable agriculture. It’s great to see businesses like Fisher German championing conversations around sustainable food production and cultivating awareness.”
Helen Hunt, Executive Assistant to the CEO of the Alscot Estate said: “The film was very engaging and thought-provoking and although it was made for farmers it should be watched by everyone especially when it seems that the nation has become disconnected from where our food comes from.”
Kerry Murray, Co-Director of Murray Environmental said: “The film illustrated the impact that the power of soil has on our environment, from supporting biodiversity to mitigating climate change and provided a useful reminder of the innovative regenerative agricultural practices to improve soil health and climate resilience. Whatever your role, landowners, agents, farmers, keen gardeners, education professionals, contractors, scientists, architects, drainage designers, policymaker or in my role as an environmental consultant to name a few, we all have a role to play in promoting sustainable soil management. Thank you to Fisher German for supporting the soil conversation and raising awareness.
Our Head of Agribusiness, David Kinnersley added: “The film is a great illustration of the challenges and opportunities facing farmers at the moment. We are fortunate to be advising a range of clients pioneering new farming methods some of whom have been on this journey for over a decade now. Six Inches of Soil will help to spread the word and I hope to educate those who have little interaction with those who grow their food.”
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