Grade: A-/A

Recommended Audience: All Ages

Political Bias: Moderately Liberal

Potentially Controversial Topics: Climate Change, Genetically Modified Organisms, Corporate Farming, Coal Mining

Review Information Delivered:
Positive: This was a fantastic, educational, and entertaining documentary that interviewed individuals involved in the soil sciences, as both founders of international organizations and top research scientists. The information was delivered in such a way that it is capable of keeping the attention of adults, teenagers, tweens, and young children. Any inappropriate jokes for adults were craftily applied in such a way as to go over the heads of children and possibly tweens.

Using historical, scientific, and anthropologic evidence, this film showcases problems with clear-cutting, urban heat island effect, monoculture farming, mineral mining, watershed destruction, and waste disposal. It also shows current solutions in use that involve communities of people and the positive social impacts that sustainable/environmental programs have in the long run. Clearly showed the benefits of sustainable farming techniques on multiple types of agriculture.

This film educated individuals on community actions that are available in almost every major city to allow for even minimal involvement through participating in a CSA or by shopping at Farmers Markets. 

Negative: This film tried very hard not to be, but was mainly focused on the United States. The other countries of India, Brazil, and briefly Argentina were used as examples, with India as the main focus. The general continent of Africa was also given focus.

GMO crop use was only shown in combination with traditional, non-sustainable mono-culture farming techniques. Did not provide any information in regards to GMO in combination with sustainable growing techniques.

Had a *very* brief anti-control burning message that goes against ecological studies that show, time and time again, how important natural burning cycles are to nutrient recycling, germination, and prevention of fire disasters in the forests of the United States.

This film did not heavily discuss all the benefits of reducing concrete and asphalt in cities, urban farming, and sustainable green roof structures. Focused mostly on reduction of stormwater and urban heat island effect. 

I highly recommend this film for school children, families, and adults interested in general sustainability and agriculture practices.