Image: R-L Josiah Meldrum, Co-founder Hodmedods, AF Member James Bucher, AF Member Richard Evans

The stars of Six Inches of Soil are three new entrants to farming. The movie charts their progress, using regenerative techniques, over a year that includes the driest summer since 1935.

The young farmers and growers were selected, admits producer Colin Ramsay, for “being under 30 years of age, for illustrating different productions systems (horticulture, livestock & arable) in different regions of England:

• Anna Jackson – rejoins the family arable & sheep farm in Lincolnshire “No offence Dad, but nothing you were doing inspired me.” But who shared with him an ambition to “work with nature, be resilient (to climate change and more) and make a profit”.
• Adrienne Gordon – sets up a market garden on rented land in Cambridgeshire “because growing food for local people seemed the best way I could do something good”.
• Ben Thomas – takes on a small farm in Cornwall to “use mob grazing to regenerate worn out soils and produce nutrient-dense meat to direct sell”.

Hopes and hurdles

Their hopes, hurdles and who they turn to for advice are all beautifully illustrated. More so because the three farmers were chosen for being, says the producer, “a bit innocent, naïve, and without all the answers. We see them tested as they find their way.”

Serious financial hits on alternative crops and conventional (OSR) from pest damage are shown. Frustration at failed crops due to drought is felt. Worries about cattle weight gain during out-wintering and whether the farm generates enough of an income weigh on the audience’s mind.

The commercial counterbalance to these harsh realities were equally stark and seriously impressive.  Ben did get great success at returns from direct meat sales and woodland grazing and branches out into other livestock. Adrienne enjoyed terrific community engagement through local sales and makes enough to employ help. Anna joyfully harvested high margin cereals thanks to much reduced inputs’ use and her relationship with her father is clearly close and deeply mutually respectful.

Thought-provoking

The film is made to raise questions.

At this Norfolk screening, the farmers and others on the panel had to plenty to respond to. How and what challenges to make to government policies? How to break dominance over diets of supermarkets and manufacturers? How come so many are farming in such destructive ways? How many farmers are willing and able to adopt regenerative approaches?  What will local food produced to higher environmental standards need to cost and where can I find it for sale?

AF Member Richard Evans pitched in his experience of changing his systems over time with these points:

• “Since WW2 UK agriculture has become incredibly efficient and costs of production, particularly for vegetables, have been driven lower and lower.
• We can’t say that everything farmers are doing now is wrong, it’s just that we have to adjust.
• As a livestock farmer, I reduce my stocking density but that means my costs of production per hectare or per animal go up. We must recognise that affordability of food is essential as well as how we fulfil all our environmental responsibilities.”

AF Member James Bucher described why and how he is changing his system of farming:

• “For those deep into industrialised farming and just dealing with supermarkets and commodity markets, I don’t know how much longer they can carry on.
• I’ve heard reports that 50% of fruit and veg farmers say they will be out of business in a year.
• I’m in my third year of my regenerative farming journey and measurements say my soil health is better, I’m finding buyers (including Wildfarmed and Hodmedods) who pay a premium for what I grow and I have the incentives with SFI.”

Fresh to farming but not going it alone

Film Six Inches of Soil cannot be accused of being ageist, or saying that only the younger generation have all the answers and enthusiasm.

All three young farmers featured in the film were shown clearly benefitting, even relying on, the guidance, encouragement and support of elders – whether family, respected peer, landlord or specialist advisor.

“Farming is hard. Farming differently, and better, can be even harder.”, admits Professor Mike Berners-Lee in one point in the film. “It will require a more thoughtful approach and a tonne more skill.”

Six Inches of Soil is a thoughtfully made film. The young farmers are brave to be so open about their reasons for farming, and so honest about what goes wrong as well as what goes right.

There will not be many AF Members who watch this film without seeing something of their own story – past and future – in what is on screen.

To see a screening of Six Inches of Soil near you check this map & calendar.

Josiah Meldrum (Hodmedods) – https://www.instagram.com/josiah.meldrum/

Richard Evans (Stone House Farm) – https://www.instagram.com/stonehousefarm.norfolk/

James Bucher (Hall Farm Knettishall) – https://www.instagram.com/hall_farm_knettishall/