The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) is set to host a screening of new documentary, Six Inches of Soil, which is putting the “spotlight” on soil health and regenerative farming.
Six Inches of Soil will be screened at the university’s Boutflour Hall on Friday, April 19 at 7.10p.m and will be followed by a question and answer session with a panel that will include the film’s producer.
The documentary follows three new farmers on the first year of their journey, and as they stand up against the industrial food system and “transform” the way they produce food.
The screening has been organised by second year RAU students, Immie Jones and Laura Finch, who are both studying for a BSc in Environment, Food and Society at the Cirencester-based university.
Finch explained how they wanted to organise the film event at RAU, as they are “passionate” about the potential of agroecology and wish to “inspire change”.
Farming documentary
“We are so proud to share the messages in the film to help shift food and farming towards more nature friendly practices within a more resilient system, told through the next generation of farmers,” Jones said.
The RAU event starts at 5.30p.m with an introduction from producer, Claire Mackenzie, followed by a talk from RAU professor of agriculture, Nicola Cannon.
The question and answer discussion panellists will be:
- Farmer and Research Group Coordinator at Pasture for Life, Nikki Yoxall;
- The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, Jenny Phelps MBE;
- Local farmer, RAU alumnus and Farmers Guardian 2023 Arable Farmer of the Year, Ed Horton;
- Six Inches of Soil producer, Claire Mackenzie;
- The Long Table & Hobbs House Bakery, Tom Herbert.
The RAU’s screening also coincides with the University’s ‘Go Green week’, which is taking place between April 15 to April 20.
Senior lecturer in Sustainable Land Management, Jonathan Code said:
“At the intersection of environment, food, and society is the soil. We will struggle to make any progress in moderating the impact of climate extremes, or developing resilient food ecosystems, if we don’t take care of our soils.”
He also added that he is sure that the film screening and panel discussion will provide a “timely” focus on this resource.
Tickets for the RAU screening of “Six Inches of Soil” are available on Eventbrite and will cost £10.
