Over
the next 40 years, the farming industry will have to
produce more food than it has in the past 500 years.
This
challenge transcends the massive workload placed on
farmers.
It also speaks to the growing scarcity of our
most crucial resource in farming - a healthy and
thriving soil.
Treat the soil right, and gorgeous crops will follow.
But
the rich biodiversity of our soil - the same elements we
rely on for mass production - has undergone a profound
depletion.
'Living Soil' presents a wealth of information about the
importance of soil, how it functions, and what we need
to do to salvage its functionality for future
generations.
"Soil security is food security," says one
agricultural expert profiled in the film.
The
key to preserving that security is in understanding the
complicated interconnectivity found among the vast
supply of living organisms underground, and in patiently
nurturing our soil back to health.
Whether they're dealing in organic or regular foods,
smaller-scale farmers who sell directly to the public
are working hard to educate consumers on the importance
of cleanly and responsibly grown crops.
By
controlling the amount of carbon and nitrogen in the
soil, farmers are able to conserve on their use of
industrial fertilizers.
Consumers can taste the difference.
They're attracted to the brilliantly colorful and
vital crops that result, and they take piece of mind
in knowing these crops do not contain potentially
harmful chemicals.
It also means that many cash-strapped farmers can
save on waste and the cost of operating their
businesses.
The
film is an exhaustive crash course in the magic of soil.
A
microbiologist explains the wealth of microbials that
exist in a single tablespoon of soil.
We
learn how the planting of an Asian pea among a corn crop
can elevate the levels of nitrogen.
In the face of catastrophic climate change,
overpopulation and a shortage of essential resources,
these farmers are doing their part to help the
environment from the ground up.
It's
an example that can provide great knowledge and
inspiration to the future farmers who will be tasked
with feeding our world.
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