Let me introduce you to a new word – well it is to me.
AGROECOLOGICAL.
It’s an adjective that denotes or relates to the application of ecological principles to agricultural systems and practices. In other words, farmers could stop using chemical fertilizers without reducing yields by adopting agroecological practices.
If you want to see that in action l suggest you pop along to Bath’s Little Theatre on Wednesday April 3rd to watch “Six Inches of Soil.” There is a screening tonight – March 26th – but it is SOLD OUT.
It’s the first full-length campaigning documentary feature film that tells the untold story of the UK’s regenerative and agroecology movement and its benefits to soil.
With the first global screening at COP28 and UK screening at ORFC 2024, the film aims to inspire UK farmers to adopt regenerative agroecological farming practices and encourage consumers and policymakers to support their efforts.
With a compelling narrative, engaging animations and interviews with leading figures, it tells the story of our soils and our food and farming system through the eyes of three new-entrant farmers and examines how we can replace this with a resilient and localised agroecosystem.
Six Inches of Soil has been produced with an independent team including, Director Colin Ramsay, Founder and Director of DragonLight Films and Freelance Producer Claire Mackenzie. See the full team here.
During the post-production process, Claire and Colin set up Springtail Productions to further develop the impact of the film. The aim is to inspire farmers with the confidence to shift to a more regenerative mindset and approach; to give consumers the impetus and information to rethink their food choices; and ultimately create a groundswell of public opinion leading to policy change, support and funding for a British regenerative farming and agroecological revolution.
For the Bath screenings, Six Inches of Soil is partnering with Transition Bath, an organisation working for a climate friendly, ecologically rich and socially just future with resilient communities, more active participation in society and a caring culture focused on supporting each other.
Dr Lyn Barham, Transition Bath Trustee and Convenor of the Food Group will chair panel discussion, which will include Hamish Evans, Head Grower at Middle Ground Growers, a Bath-based CiC using regenerative growing methods to produce local food, which is delivered by e-bike to local veg box customers and other outlets; and Simon Billing who supports the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission with their national Food Conversation, the largest ever national food conversation in the UK.
Green Screen provides a safe space to discuss the issues raised by environmental films, and to meet other interested community members. Flick Beckett, Head of Picturehouse Green Steering Group says, “It’s films like this that make me incredibly proud to programme our Green Screen strand – audiences will feel empowered by the science, inspired by the stories and connected by the humanity.”
Claire Mackenzie, Six Inches of Soil Producer adds, “To have a run of cinema screenings is incredible, we’re very grateful to Flick and the Picturehouse team for this opportunity, which sits so nicely with our community screening programme, now in full flow in villages, towns and cities across the UK.
We’ve been blown away by the feedback from audiences and the demand to screen and see the film. The team has passionately created Six Inches of Soil with a very supportive community and this is growing fast. The time is right for a film that contains realistic solutions, doesn’t overpromise, tells a human story and connects the audience with soil, farming and nature.”
Colin Ramsay, Six Inches of Soil Director concludes, “With the film, we’re creating a personal window into the world of three farmers in different counties across England who are farming regeneratively in arable, livestock and horticulture systems.
We’ve chosen new entrants into agriculture to help inspire the next generation and show viewers the highs and lows of farm life. With environmental documentaries it’s sometimes unclear (or very binary) about what actions people can take.
Hopefully, once they’ve seen the film, they will take away a sense of future possibilities and that change is possible.”
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaJl0yQ7ufQ
