Roots So Deep Docu-Series Release

HOW LIVESTOCK AND SOIL CAN HELP CLIMATE CHANGE

If you have had an opportunity to chat with me, or seen me on social media, you know that what I’m doing on the ranch is different than what most of my neighbors are doing! Not only am I using rotational grazing to produce nutrient dense food that can heal our bodies of many symptoms, but I’m also using the livestock to improve ecosystem processes that also helps mitigate climate change. As an example, this spring has been extremely wet! In the last 20 days, I’ve received almost 27 inches of rain. As a result of my practice of not returning back to the pasture until the grasses have recovered, and thereby increasing the grass roots underground, my water infiltration rate has been effective enough that the only places I have standing water are the ditches that feed the tanks (ponds), the tanks themselves and the few bare spots of ground due to the herd crowding for shade or protection against the 70mph winds!

Full ditches flowing into tank (pond)

Standing water underneath shade tree and tank spillway water flowing downstream

This is why I’m SO excited to share the release of the four-part docu-series called Roots So Deep, which is about creative farmers AND “maverick” scientists who are working on solving climate change with livestock and soil.

About Roots So Deep

Produced by Peter Byck of Arizona State University, Roots So Deep is a remarkable documentary series that weaves together the stories of regenerative grazing farmers and their neighbors, while seamlessly integrating the expertise of scientists who measure and analyze the impact of these generational farming practices.

After watching the first episode, I found myself eagerly anticipating the rest of the series. What sets Roots So Deep apart is its comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to research. It's a collaborative project that brings together universities, researchers, government agencies, and more, creating a rich tapestry of perspectives.

But it's the storytelling aspect that truly shines. Rather than presenting academic research in an inaccessible manner, Roots So Deep uses the power of film to make these concepts easy to understand. It's a solutions-focused series, avoiding the trap of negative hype and instead highlighting the positive changes that can be achieved through regenerative practices.

I first became acquainted with Peter Byck's work when I watched his groundbreaking docu-series Soil Carbon Cowboys (available on YouTube) four years ago. This series featured ranchers who have been using rotational grazing with incredible results, including my HMI educator colleague Deborah Clark and her husband, Emery Birdwell, at their 14,200-acre Birdwell & Clark Ranch in North Texas. Soil Carbon Cowboys served as a precursor of sorts to Roots So Deep, providing a glimpse into Byck's engaging storytelling style and his deep understanding of farming, grazing concepts, and related research.

Roots So Deep promises to be a captivating and informative journey, shining a light on the potential of regenerative agriculture to create a more sustainable future for our planet."

Documentary series poster used with permission from Roots So Deep team.

WATCH THE TRAILER

WATCH THE SERIES HERE

You can rent the Roots So Deep series by clicking on button below:

Why is the documentary only available for rent or not on a major streaming service?

It’s a way to directly support the project and continued research. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORK BEHIND ROOTS SO DEEP

Learn more about the docu-series, the research and more https://rootssodeep.org/

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