KISS THE GROUND

Kiss the Ground makes a serious, accessible case for regenerative farming. Its experts, farmers, and ranchers argue that excessive pesticide use and tilling have depleted soil and contributed to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The film then presents alternatives such as reduced-till farming, crop rotation, composting, unused cropland, and more frequent movement of grass-fed livestock.

This is one of the more convincing environmentalist documentaries because it avoids the typically hysterical presentation of climate change. It also shows concern for farmers’ ability to make money while using regenerative methods. The film’s claims about reducing or reversing atmospheric carbon dioxide are disputed by some scientists, and the second half becomes repetitive and drawn out.

For an all-ages documentary with a thoughtful environmental argument, this is worth watching.

Narrated by Woody Harrelson, this documentary begins with a question about the health of the soil beneath farms and ranches. Experts, farmers, and ranchers explain what they believe has damaged that soil and then present regenerative farming as a possible way forward.

The film explores no-till and reduced-till planting, crop rotation, composting, unused cropland, and more frequent movement of grass-fed livestock. Along the way, it considers whether these practices can nourish the soil, stop desertification, and affect climate change.

Three stars means this is a solid, worthwhile documentary with noticeable weaknesses. Kiss the Ground is well made, and its experts, farmers, and ranchers offer more convincing arguments than most other movies supporting an environmentalist view. Its discussion of climate change and carbon dioxide is measured rather than hysterical.

The film’s second half becomes somewhat repetitive and drawn out, especially when it turns to composting. Some scientists also dispute its claims that regenerative agriculture can greatly reduce or reverse the buildup of carbon dioxide. Even so, the documentary makes a case that deserves serious consideration.

Kiss the Ground presents a strong moral worldview centered on solving environmental problems through better farming and ranching. It argues that soil should be protected and nourished, while individual farmers and ranchers should be respected and helped rather than economically harmed. Its proposed solutions include reduced-till farming, crop rotation, composting, leaving some cropland unused for a year, and moving grass-fed livestock more frequently.

The film’s environmental concerns align with the biblical idea that people are responsible for caring for the world God has made. Its emphasis on farmers’ livelihoods also resists treating economic concerns as irrelevant. The documentary does, however, frame climate change and atmospheric carbon dioxide through its own disputed scientific claims, and it does not present these issues primarily through a biblical account of creation, sin, or redemption.

The film’s concern for cultivating and protecting the earth connects with Scripture’s calling to responsible work: “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15).

Kiss the Ground is a thoughtful, well-made documentary with a measured environmental argument. Its proposed farming practices deserve serious consideration, even though some of its climate claims are disputed and its second half drags. For an all-ages documentary night, this is WORTH THE TRIP.