Kiss the Ground - A Film That Changed the Conversation About Soil

Kiss the Ground is one of the most influential agricultural and environmental documentaries released in recent years. Narrated by Woody Harrelson and released in 2020, the film brought the concepts of regenerative agriculture and soil health into mainstream public discussion. The documentary argues that one of the biggest solutions to climate change, environmental degradation and declining human health may be lying directly beneath our feet - the soil.

Produced by filmmakers Josh Tickell and Rebecca Harrell Tickell, the film combines science, farming, environmental activism and celebrity influence to present a hopeful message about the future of agriculture. It became widely known through Netflix and later Amazon Prime, reaching millions of viewers worldwide.

The Central Message of the Film

The core idea behind Kiss the Ground is simple: healthy soil has the ability to rebuild ecosystems, improve food production and potentially help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The film argues that modern industrial agriculture has damaged soil through:

• Excessive tillage
• Overuse of synthetic fertilisers
• Heavy pesticide use
• Monoculture farming
• Overgrazing
• Soil erosion

According to the documentary, these practices reduce soil organic matter and damage microbial life that is essential for healthy ecosystems. The film contrasts this with regenerative agriculture systems that aim to rebuild soil biology and carbon levels. The documentary promotes farming methods such as:

• Reduced tillage or no-till farming
• Cover crops
• Diverse pasture species
• Composting
• Rotational grazing
• Increased soil biology
• Reduced synthetic inputs

The film presents these systems not only as better for the environment, but also as potentially more resilient and profitable for farmers.

Soil as a Climate Solution

One of the film’s strongest themes is carbon sequestration. This is the idea that soils can absorb and store atmospheric carbon. The documentary suggests that if regenerative farming practices were adopted widely enough, soils could become a major tool in helping stabilise the climate. Healthy soils rich in organic matter can hold more water, resist erosion and support greater microbial activity.

The film uses dramatic imagery of degraded soils, dust storms and desertification alongside examples of regenerated farms with improved biodiversity and water retention. It presents soil not simply as dirt, but as a living ecosystem.

This message resonated strongly with many people because it offered hope at a time when climate discussions often focused only on crisis and sacrifice.

Why the Film Became So Popular

Kiss the Ground succeeded because it translated complex soil science into language that ordinary people could understand. It featured scientists, ranchers, farmers, and environmental advocates, as well celebrities. The film was also released at a time when public interest in regenerative farming and food system resilience was growing rapidly worldwide.

For many viewers, the film created a new appreciation for the importance of soil biology and how farming practices influence ecosystems. Online discussions show many people saying the documentary changed the way they think about farming and food production.

The Film’s Influence on Farming Discussions

The documentary helped move regenerative agriculture from a niche farming topic into mainstream public conversation. The film release led to greater discussion globally about regenerative farming methods and how agriculture can be done in a climate-smart way.

The film also influenced many younger consumers who previously had little connection with agriculture. It helped urban audiences understand that farming systems can either degrade or regenerate ecosystems depending on how land is managed. In countries such as New Zealand, Australia, the United States and parts of Europe, the film added momentum to regenerative farming movements already underway.

Criticism and Scientific Debate

While Kiss the Ground received praise for raising awareness about soil health, it also attracted criticism from some scientists and agricultural commentators. Critics argued that the film sometimes oversimplified complex agricultural and climate science. Some researchers questioned claims that regenerative agriculture alone could fully offset global carbon emissions. Others believed the documentary presented conventional agriculture too negatively while not fully discussing trade-offs or production challenges.

A number of scientists support regenerative farming practices but caution that:

• Soil carbon storage has limits
• Carbon measurement is difficult
• Climate change requires multiple solutions
• Productivity challenges can occur in some systems
• Transitioning farming systems is complex

Even many supporters of regenerative agriculture acknowledge that it is not a “magic solution” to every environmental issue. However, even critics generally agree that improving soil health, reducing erosion and increasing biodiversity are positive goals.

Relevance to New Zealand Farming

The themes in Kiss the Ground strongly connect with many current discussions in New Zealand agriculture. New Zealand farmers are increasingly facing pressure around:

• Nitrogen losses
• Water quality
• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Soil degradation
• Farm resilience
• Consumer expectations

As a result, many farmers are exploring systems that improve nutrient efficiency and soil biology while reducing reliance on synthetic nitrogen inputs.

Practices promoted in the film - such as multispecies pastures, improved grazing management, reduced tillage and biological soil systems - are already being trialled or adopted on farms across New Zealand. The documentary also aligns with growing interest in soil microbial activity and the role fungi and bacteria play in nutrient cycling and pasture performance.

 A Film About Hope

Perhaps the biggest reason Kiss the Ground became influential is because it presented agriculture as part of the solution rather than simply part of the problem. The film’s message is ultimately optimistic; that farmers, healthy soils and biological systems may help rebuild ecosystems while still producing food.

Whether every claim in the documentary proves scientifically correct over time is still debated. But few would deny that the film succeeded in bringing global attention back to one of the world’s most overlooked resources, living soil. Kiss the Ground helped remind people that beneath every pasture, crop and ecosystem is an underground biological world that may hold an important key to the future of farming and environmental sustainability.