Ever wondered how important soil is?

It turns out soil health is really flipping important, and we should really start giving a damn about it….

6 INCHES OF SOIL is a documentary film which follows 3 farmers on their journey of regeneration. Dedicating their work to restoring soil health and having a positive impact on the natural environment around them, whilst creating food which is benefiting the health of the local community. www.sixinchesofsoil.org 

The film explores how increasing the biomass of the soil increases biodiversity, captures carbon, and also, in the process decreases flooding.

I was lucky enough to attend a viewing of the 6 INCHES OF SOIL hosted by the wonderful HARBOROUGH WOODLAND, THE VILLAGE and OPTIMUM YOGA, in Market Harborough on Sunday night, despite the torrential rain it was a wonderful evening. With an panel at the end to discuss topics covered in the movie.

The main questions it raised were why isn't this supported more by the government as there are so many benefits? And how, as the general public, can we support regenerative farming?

Featured farmers to follow to give you hope:

• www.sweetpeamarketgarden.co.uk - really wish I lived closer to the Cambridgeshire ‘planet first’ producer so i could become a regular at her market stalls. Adrienne's vegetables looked so rich with flavour!

• www.pinkpigfarm.co.uk (@annaracheljackson)- really enjoyed Anna's perspective on farming and how she was working with her dad to build a fam fit for the future. Their brave trials of crop planting not for profit, but for the health of the soil and planet were inspiring to see!

  
  

• www.treveddoe.co.uk - although I don’t eat meat, the quality of life Ben was giving the animals here was impressive. But the most impressive part was the attention he was giving the soil here. The herb mix planting on the grazing fields, which then weathered the heatwave much better than the standard grass fields were impressive to see. Especially the impact the deeper root system had on the condition of and water absorption levels of the soil. It was a real glimmer of hope for the future.

Panel of experts also worth checking out…

Kimberley Durham from Harborough Woodland www.harboroughwoodland.com

Harry Hewetson nutritional therapist www.nutritionwithharry.com

Kirsty from Waterloo Cottage farm (regenerative farm) www.waterloocottagefarm.co.uk