What it is
Six Inches of Soil follows three young British farmers challenging industrial farming norms. The 2024 documentary profiles real people making the transition from conventional to regenerative agriculture, documenting their struggles, financial pressures, and ecological successes over multiple growing seasons. It captures the human dimension of agricultural transition that data alone cannot convey.
Why we picked this
Most regenerative agriculture documentaries feature established practitioners who have already proven their systems work. Six Inches of Soil shows what the transition actually looks like: the uncertainty, the learning curve, the financial pressure from banks and landlords, and the moments when degraded soil starts showing signs of life. It is the most honest portrayal of regenerative transition available.
Key takeaways
- The film documents that transition costs for regenerative farming run 2,000-5,000 EUR/ha with approximately 9-year payback (5 with incentives) in European contexts.
- Regenerative farms average 60% higher profitability after year six (BCG 2023), but the film honestly shows the difficult years before that threshold.
- UK-specific regulatory and market context makes this particularly relevant for European farmers considering regenerative transition.