From Farm to Table | Nat Geo Live

agriculture has taken over the planet

agriculture has taken over the planet has transformed our world the biosphere

has transformed our world the biosphere

has transformed our world the biosphere has spawned cultures cities and whole

has spawned cultures cities and whole

has spawned cultures cities and whole ways of life all over the planet people

ways of life all over the planet people

ways of life all over the planet people tying their destinies to the land and

tying their destinies to the land and

tying their destinies to the land and yet still were not really in control and

yet still were not really in control and

yet still were not really in control and there’s not a lot you can do about it

there’s not a lot you can do about it

there’s not a lot you can do about it except live with it and try and adapt

well I would just want to start off here

well I would just want to start off here with one little thing talking about our

with one little thing talking about our

with one little thing talking about our lecture tonight a photographer’s journey

lecture tonight a photographer’s journey

lecture tonight a photographer’s journey from farm to table and I want you to

from farm to table and I want you to

from farm to table and I want you to show you that I do have some background

show you that I do have some background

show you that I do have some background in agriculture and farming there I am

in agriculture and farming there I am

in agriculture and farming there I am bucket feeding a calf in 1953 anybody

bucket feeding a calf in 1953 anybody

bucket feeding a calf in 1953 anybody out there if any of you ever bucket fed

out there if any of you ever bucket fed

out there if any of you ever bucket fed a calf anybody there you have a good for

a calf anybody there you have a good for

a calf anybody there you have a good for you anybody else out there I wish every

you anybody else out there I wish every

you anybody else out there I wish every kid could have that experience so let’s

kid could have that experience so let’s

kid could have that experience so let’s begin I want to start someplace you

begin I want to start someplace you

begin I want to start someplace you don’t expect I think up here in the

don’t expect I think up here in the

don’t expect I think up here in the Orkney Islands off the northeast tip of

Orkney Islands off the northeast tip of

Orkney Islands off the northeast tip of Scotland five thousand years ago when

Scotland five thousand years ago when

Scotland five thousand years ago when something fresh was in the hearts of the

something fresh was in the hearts of the

something fresh was in the hearts of the people and in their minds and they were

people and in their minds and they were

people and in their minds and they were transitioning to a new way of life the

transitioning to a new way of life the

transitioning to a new way of life the Neolithic way of life they were stopping

Neolithic way of life they were stopping

Neolithic way of life they were stopping the process of being hunter-gatherers

the process of being hunter-gatherers

the process of being hunter-gatherers and they were becoming farmers and they

and they were becoming farmers and they

and they were becoming farmers and they were putting up things like the stones

were putting up things like the stones

were putting up things like the stones of Stenness that you see out here near

of Stenness that you see out here near

of Stenness that you see out here near the Vanessa broad gir

the Vanessa broad gir

the Vanessa broad gir now as the photographers amongst you

now as the photographers amongst you

now as the photographers amongst you I’ll stop and do a little bit of this

I’ll stop and do a little bit of this

I’ll stop and do a little bit of this along the way too this is out on a nice

along the way too this is out on a nice

along the way too this is out on a nice foggy night out there at the stones of

foggy night out there at the stones of

foggy night out there at the stones of Stenness and my assistant is back behind

Stenness and my assistant is back behind

Stenness and my assistant is back behind that center stone with a flashlight

that center stone with a flashlight

that center stone with a flashlight that’s where the light is coming from we

that’s where the light is coming from we

that’s where the light is coming from we did a lot of lighting on these users on

did a lot of lighting on these users on

did a lot of lighting on these users on this story as you’ll see using

this story as you’ll see using

this story as you’ll see using flashlights it always isn’t all this big

flashlights it always isn’t all this big

flashlights it always isn’t all this big heavy-duty equipment so those folks

heavy-duty equipment so those folks

heavy-duty equipment so those folks those folks up there 5,000 years ago

those folks up there 5,000 years ago

those folks up there 5,000 years ago we’re settling down they were building

we’re settling down they were building

we’re settling down they were building houses not a bad little house as an area

houses not a bad little house as an area

houses not a bad little house as an area you see there’s a couple of beds on each

you see there’s a couple of beds on each

you see there’s a couple of beds on each wall there’s a dresser in the middle and

wall there’s a dresser in the middle and

wall there’s a dresser in the middle and when this thing was blown out of the

when this thing was blown out of the

when this thing was blown out of the sand dunes by a storm in 1850 there were

sand dunes by a storm in 1850 there were

sand dunes by a storm in 1850 there were still combs and things sitting on the

still combs and things sitting on the

still combs and things sitting on the dressers there as if the people had just

dressers there as if the people had just

dressers there as if the people had just left there’s a hearth in the middle

left there’s a hearth in the middle

left there’s a hearth in the middle there’s even a little fish tank so you

there’s even a little fish tank so you

there’s even a little fish tank so you can keep your fish fresh inside the

can keep your fish fresh inside the

can keep your fish fresh inside the house there’s even a little cubby hole

house there’s even a little cubby hole

house there’s even a little cubby hole that has a stream running under that

that has a stream running under that

that has a stream running under that makes you think they have indoor

makes you think they have indoor

makes you think they have indoor plumbing and then the other thing that

plumbing and then the other thing that

plumbing and then the other thing that they were doing is this they were

they were doing is this they were

they were doing is this they were starting to plant crops they were

starting to plant crops they were

starting to plant crops they were becoming farmers

becoming farmers

becoming farmers and that’s the revolution they were

and that’s the revolution they were

and that’s the revolution they were beginning a monumental journey of

beginning a monumental journey of

beginning a monumental journey of transition in how we feed ourselves

transition in how we feed ourselves

transition in how we feed ourselves that’s the important thing to remember

that’s the important thing to remember

that’s the important thing to remember now I want you to fast forward of the

now I want you to fast forward of the

now I want you to fast forward of the 5000 years to today when agriculture has

5000 years to today when agriculture has

5000 years to today when agriculture has taken over the planet has transformed

taken over the planet has transformed

taken over the planet has transformed our world the biosphere has spawned

our world the biosphere has spawned

our world the biosphere has spawned cultures cities and whole ways of life

cultures cities and whole ways of life

cultures cities and whole ways of life all over the planet and here we are

all over the planet and here we are

all over the planet and here we are sitting here 2014 with 7 billion people

sitting here 2014 with 7 billion people

sitting here 2014 with 7 billion people on the planet and by 2050 we could have

on the planet and by 2050 we could have

on the planet and by 2050 we could have 9 billion by 2100 we might reach 10 or

9 billion by 2100 we might reach 10 or

9 billion by 2100 we might reach 10 or so can we feed those 9 or 10 billion

so can we feed those 9 or 10 billion

so can we feed those 9 or 10 billion people when we get there and will we

people when we get there and will we

people when we get there and will we have a planet left worth living on that

have a planet left worth living on that

have a planet left worth living on that is the essential question I want to

is the essential question I want to

is the essential question I want to follow on exploring tonight 39% of the

follow on exploring tonight 39% of the

follow on exploring tonight 39% of the ice-free land on the planet is taken

ice-free land on the planet is taken

ice-free land on the planet is taken over by agriculture worldwide pastures

over by agriculture worldwide pastures

over by agriculture worldwide pastures take up twelve point nine million square

take up twelve point nine million square

take up twelve point nine million square miles twice as much as cropland it’s

miles twice as much as cropland it’s

miles twice as much as cropland it’s really vast so we did this we got the

really vast so we did this we got the

really vast so we did this we got the plow we transformed the planet it’s the

plow we transformed the planet it’s the

plow we transformed the planet it’s the biggest transformation of any process by

biggest transformation of any process by

biggest transformation of any process by humans in the biosphere

humans in the biosphere

humans in the biosphere but then after World War two we got into

but then after World War two we got into

but then after World War two we got into really transforming the planet using

really transforming the planet using

really transforming the planet using petroleum as fuel for the transformation

petroleum as fuel for the transformation

petroleum as fuel for the transformation this up on the Palouse but here’s what I

this up on the Palouse but here’s what I

this up on the Palouse but here’s what I really want you to remember about this

really want you to remember about this

really want you to remember about this when you think about world food supply

when you think about world food supply

when you think about world food supply even today with that mega agriculture

even today with that mega agriculture

even today with that mega agriculture peasants small farmers on farms of two

peasants small farmers on farms of two

peasants small farmers on farms of two hectares or less still grow more than

hectares or less still grow more than

hectares or less still grow more than 50% of the world’s food industrial

50% of the world’s food industrial

50% of the world’s food industrial large-scale agriculture that we see on

large-scale agriculture that we see on

large-scale agriculture that we see on the scale out in the Great Plains and

the scale out in the Great Plains and

the scale out in the Great Plains and whatnot grow 30% of the world’s food

whatnot grow 30% of the world’s food

whatnot grow 30% of the world’s food hunter/gatherer still take in 12.5

hunter/gatherer still take in 12.5

hunter/gatherer still take in 12.5 percent an urban urban farmers still

percent an urban urban farmers still

percent an urban urban farmers still grow seven hampers in the food so that

grow seven hampers in the food so that

grow seven hampers in the food so that story that we are used to that large

story that we are used to that large

story that we are used to that large industrial agriculture is the only way

industrial agriculture is the only way

industrial agriculture is the only way to feed the planet at least isn’t true

to feed the planet at least isn’t true

to feed the planet at least isn’t true right

right

right now feeding seven billion people but you

now feeding seven billion people but you

now feeding seven billion people but you also see this that there are places in

also see this that there are places in

also see this that there are places in the world where you got real problems

the world where you got real problems

the world where you got real problems Africa these young women were hauling

Africa these young women were hauling

Africa these young women were hauling firewood ten kilometres back to their

firewood ten kilometres back to their

firewood ten kilometres back to their village they were walking ten kilometres

village they were walking ten kilometres

village they were walking ten kilometres to get it and ten kilometres back the

to get it and ten kilometres back the

to get it and ten kilometres back the promise of genetic engineering the

promise of genetic engineering the

promise of genetic engineering the promise of ways of very often perceived

promise of ways of very often perceived

promise of ways of very often perceived to be Magic Bullet ways of feeding our

to be Magic Bullet ways of feeding our

to be Magic Bullet ways of feeding our planet and yet still this one

planet and yet still this one

planet and yet still this one fundamental reality that were not really

fundamental reality that were not really

fundamental reality that were not really in control and there’s not a lot you can

in control and there’s not a lot you can

in control and there’s not a lot you can do about it except live with it and try

do about it except live with it and try

do about it except live with it and try and adapt this is a center pivot

and adapt this is a center pivot

and adapt this is a center pivot irrigation going on out in Nebraska and

irrigation going on out in Nebraska and

irrigation going on out in Nebraska and what I really wanted is I want this

what I really wanted is I want this

what I really wanted is I want this water to look rich I want it to look

water to look rich I want it to look

water to look rich I want it to look like gold I wanted to look like money I

like gold I wanted to look like money I

like gold I wanted to look like money I wanted to have that lush rich feel to it

wanted to have that lush rich feel to it

wanted to have that lush rich feel to it I went looking for places where I could

I went looking for places where I could

I went looking for places where I could see the culture – about irrigation and I

see the culture – about irrigation and I

see the culture – about irrigation and I found a town up in Colorado that had a

found a town up in Colorado that had a

found a town up in Colorado that had a parade and they were naming the

parade and they were naming the

parade and they were naming the irrigated corn King and the dry land

irrigated corn King and the dry land

irrigated corn King and the dry land corn King the all these corn royalty you

corn King the all these corn royalty you

corn King the all these corn royalty you know and and they actually had a little

know and and they actually had a little

know and and they actually had a little model of a green elevator on a float

model of a green elevator on a float

model of a green elevator on a float with this guy you know that’s golden

with this guy you know that’s golden

with this guy you know that’s golden when you’re a photographer like me I

when you’re a photographer like me I

when you’re a photographer like me I shot cloud plop bingo out there full

shot cloud plop bingo out there full

shot cloud plop bingo out there full belly farm okay so yeah does anybody

belly farm okay so yeah does anybody

belly farm okay so yeah does anybody need an instruction on how Cal poppin go

need an instruction on how Cal poppin go

need an instruction on how Cal poppin go works here

works here

works here I guess not I think you’re seem like a

I guess not I think you’re seem like a

I guess not I think you’re seem like a pretty savvy savvy Bunch and but it was

pretty savvy savvy Bunch and but it was

pretty savvy savvy Bunch and but it was what was nice about this for this story

what was nice about this for this story

what was nice about this for this story was that it was a way of showing that

was that it was a way of showing that

was that it was a way of showing that there was something out on the farms

there was something out on the farms

there was something out on the farms that had humor to it that had a culture

that had humor to it that had a culture

that had humor to it that had a culture to it that had life to it well then

to it that had life to it well then

to it that had life to it well then there was this food safety when we got

there was this food safety when we got

there was this food safety when we got to food safety there was a lot of anger

to food safety there was a lot of anger

to food safety there was a lot of anger everybody was at the time and it still

everybody was at the time and it still

everybody was at the time and it still are radically polarized by the whole

are radically polarized by the whole

are radically polarized by the whole thing this was in Scotland up on the

thing this was in Scotland up on the

thing this was in Scotland up on the Black Isle these guys were set up across

Black Isle these guys were set up across

Black Isle these guys were set up across the road

the road

the road protesting these crops the efficacy of

protesting these crops the efficacy of

protesting these crops the efficacy of this stuff of the GMO foods of course

this stuff of the GMO foods of course

this stuff of the GMO foods of course is pretty clear these two cotton leaves

is pretty clear these two cotton leaves

is pretty clear these two cotton leaves here one of them has been genetically

here one of them has been genetically

here one of them has been genetically engineered to be resistant to the

engineered to be resistant to the

engineered to be resistant to the insects and the other hasn’t it’s really

insects and the other hasn’t it’s really

insects and the other hasn’t it’s really clear that yeah it can work but it can

clear that yeah it can work but it can

clear that yeah it can work but it can also do this these two salmon are the

also do this these two salmon are the

also do this these two salmon are the same age one has been modified so that

same age one has been modified so that

same age one has been modified so that it expresses the gene for growth

it expresses the gene for growth

it expresses the gene for growth constantly the natural salmon only does

constantly the natural salmon only does

constantly the natural salmon only does it sporadically so the problem of course

it sporadically so the problem of course

it sporadically so the problem of course then is if you modify the fish and the

then is if you modify the fish and the

then is if you modify the fish and the fish get out and crossbreed with the

fish get out and crossbreed with the

fish get out and crossbreed with the native population that gene that you

native population that gene that you

native population that gene that you modified rapidly eclipses all the other

modified rapidly eclipses all the other

modified rapidly eclipses all the other wild genes out there the food safety

wild genes out there the food safety

wild genes out there the food safety which was also part of that was was was

which was also part of that was was was

which was also part of that was was was fun to do it was it was harrowing to do

fun to do it was it was harrowing to do

fun to do it was it was harrowing to do actually because nobody in the United

actually because nobody in the United

actually because nobody in the United States wants to let you into a packing

States wants to let you into a packing

States wants to let you into a packing plant it is just almost impossible to

plant it is just almost impossible to

plant it is just almost impossible to get any of the big corporations to let

get any of the big corporations to let

get any of the big corporations to let you do that so I finally went to Denmark

you do that so I finally went to Denmark

you do that so I finally went to Denmark which had as it turned out much more

which had as it turned out much more

which had as it turned out much more stringent food safety regulations and

stringent food safety regulations and

stringent food safety regulations and has a much safer food supply nobody in

has a much safer food supply nobody in

has a much safer food supply nobody in the United States particularly the USDA

the United States particularly the USDA

the United States particularly the USDA particularly wants to tell you that

particularly wants to tell you that

particularly wants to tell you that other countries have a safer food supply

other countries have a safer food supply

other countries have a safer food supply than we do I was convinced of it we’ve

than we do I was convinced of it we’ve

than we do I was convinced of it we’ve got these huge K foes the controlled

got these huge K foes the controlled

got these huge K foes the controlled animal feeding operations chickens

animal feeding operations chickens

animal feeding operations chickens turkeys hogs all kinds of animals going

turkeys hogs all kinds of animals going

turkeys hogs all kinds of animals going in very very large facilities this one

in very very large facilities this one

in very very large facilities this one down in Arkansas this is down in the

down in Arkansas this is down in the

down in Arkansas this is down in the University of Arkansas drawing out those

University of Arkansas drawing out those

University of Arkansas drawing out those pathogens these are from swabs taken off

pathogens these are from swabs taken off

pathogens these are from swabs taken off of chickens from a supermarket this is

of chickens from a supermarket this is

of chickens from a supermarket this is not something you want to tell everybody

not something you want to tell everybody

not something you want to tell everybody about the chicken that they’re getting

about the chicken that they’re getting

about the chicken that they’re getting down at the store this was a test that

down at the store this was a test that

down at the store this was a test that they could do to show people that they

they could do to show people that they

they could do to show people that they really hadn’t washed their hands very

really hadn’t washed their hands very

really hadn’t washed their hands very well that’s all this is

well that’s all this is

well that’s all this is these folks had this powder on their

these folks had this powder on their

these folks had this powder on their hands that would show up under black

hands that would show up under black

hands that would show up under black light and you could get it on their

light and you could get it on their

light and you could get it on their hands and then they would wash their

hands and then they would wash their

hands and then they would wash their hands and they’d come back and you could

hands and they’d come back and you could

hands and they’d come back and you could show them that they hadn’t washed their

show them that they hadn’t washed their

show them that they hadn’t washed their hands very well if there’s a silver bowl

hands very well if there’s a silver bowl

hands very well if there’s a silver bowl but food safety in this world it’s

but food safety in this world it’s

but food safety in this world it’s probably washing your hands well now you

probably washing your hands well now you

probably washing your hands well now you get into something like soil I had to

get into something like soil I had to

get into something like soil I had to find ways of do image –is of this stuff

find ways of do image –is of this stuff

find ways of do image –is of this stuff I went out to the Palouse because I just

I went out to the Palouse because I just

I went out to the Palouse because I just felt that the Palouse was a place where

felt that the Palouse was a place where

felt that the Palouse was a place where the soil was the author of the landscape

the soil was the author of the landscape

the soil was the author of the landscape and to put it bluntly this was a place

and to put it bluntly this was a place

and to put it bluntly this was a place where soil made everything that we see

where soil made everything that we see

where soil made everything that we see it wasn’t mountains it wasn’t sea it was

it wasn’t mountains it wasn’t sea it was

it wasn’t mountains it wasn’t sea it was soiled doing it and I had a great

soiled doing it and I had a great

soiled doing it and I had a great co-conspirator on this Jerry Glover from

co-conspirator on this Jerry Glover from

co-conspirator on this Jerry Glover from the land Institute out there in Salina

the land Institute out there in Salina

the land Institute out there in Salina Kansas a soil scientist he came up with

Kansas a soil scientist he came up with

Kansas a soil scientist he came up with the idea doing soil pits so that we

the idea doing soil pits so that we

the idea doing soil pits so that we could see the root structure down

could see the root structure down

could see the root structure down underground so that we could do this you

underground so that we could do this you

underground so that we could do this you can see the plants up above and you can

can see the plants up above and you can

can see the plants up above and you can see what’s going on down there you know

see what’s going on down there you know

see what’s going on down there you know and not many people had done this before

and not many people had done this before

and not many people had done this before Jerry did these wonderful things like he

Jerry did these wonderful things like he

Jerry did these wonderful things like he would take and plant a patch of prairie

would take and plant a patch of prairie

would take and plant a patch of prairie grasses in a 55-gallon drum and buried

grasses in a 55-gallon drum and buried

grasses in a 55-gallon drum and buried in the ground he wait 2 years and then

in the ground he wait 2 years and then

in the ground he wait 2 years and then he pull it out of the ground and split

he pull it out of the ground and split

he pull it out of the ground and split the drum apart – drums probably welded

the drum apart – drums probably welded

the drum apart – drums probably welded together split apart lay this thing out

together split apart lay this thing out

together split apart lay this thing out on a screen and wash out the dirt with a

on a screen and wash out the dirt with a

on a screen and wash out the dirt with a hose and that way you can all of a

hose and that way you can all of a

hose and that way you can all of a sudden you could see a bit of Prairie

sudden you could see a bit of Prairie

sudden you could see a bit of Prairie underground gia if your national reading

underground gia if your national reading

underground gia if your national reading National Geographic and there’s a story

National Geographic and there’s a story

National Geographic and there’s a story on soil you got to elevate these

on soil you got to elevate these

on soil you got to elevate these pictures to be a little little jazzier

pictures to be a little little jazzier

pictures to be a little little jazzier you know so we took that thing and we

you know so we took that thing and we

you know so we took that thing and we mounted it on a on a long pole about a

mounted it on a on a long pole about a

mounted it on a on a long pole about a 15 foot pole and we stuck the pole

15 foot pole and we stuck the pole

15 foot pole and we stuck the pole through a backdrop back there and

through a backdrop back there and

through a backdrop back there and suspended it in midair

suspended it in midair

suspended it in midair and then we got flashlights and we use

and then we got flashlights and we use

and then we got flashlights and we use flashlights to light this like it was a

flashlights to light this like it was a

flashlights to light this like it was a spaceship or something like that you

spaceship or something like that you

spaceship or something like that you know fortunately Jerry had the great

know fortunately Jerry had the great

know fortunately Jerry had the great beard enough Jerry didn’t have that

beard enough Jerry didn’t have that

beard enough Jerry didn’t have that beard the picture wouldn’t be the same

beard the picture wouldn’t be the same

beard the picture wouldn’t be the same thing at all with it you know he had the

thing at all with it you know he had the

thing at all with it you know he had the beard that went with the roots I like

beard that went with the roots I like

beard that went with the roots I like that

that

that so I chase earthworms around a petri

so I chase earthworms around a petri

so I chase earthworms around a petri dish for two days got to be pretty good

dish for two days got to be pretty good

dish for two days got to be pretty good you can herd earthworms by the way I

you can herd earthworms by the way I

you can herd earthworms by the way I learned that and they don’t like heat

learned that and they don’t like heat

learned that and they don’t like heat and they don’t like light so you got a

and they don’t like light so you got a

and they don’t like light so you got a petri dish with some earthworms in it

petri dish with some earthworms in it

petri dish with some earthworms in it and you can take some light and when it

and you can take some light and when it

and you can take some light and when it gets hot on one side they’ll kind of

gets hot on one side they’ll kind of

gets hot on one side they’ll kind of squirm around the

squirm around the

squirm around the their side you know kind of rearrange

their side you know kind of rearrange

their side you know kind of rearrange themselves and maybe it’ll make a better

themselves and maybe it’ll make a better

themselves and maybe it’ll make a better picture two days I spent doing this

picture two days I spent doing this

picture two days I spent doing this stuff because earthworms are so critical

stuff because earthworms are so critical

stuff because earthworms are so critical I mean I got a Evangelist for earthworms

I mean I got a Evangelist for earthworms

I mean I got a Evangelist for earthworms you know they they carry stuff up and

you know they they carry stuff up and

you know they they carry stuff up and down in the in the soil profile they

down in the in the soil profile they

down in the in the soil profile they make all this stuff happen you know we

make all this stuff happen you know we

make all this stuff happen you know we owe him a lot you know and then I found

owe him a lot you know and then I found

owe him a lot you know and then I found these things the soil fungi one of the

these things the soil fungi one of the

these things the soil fungi one of the scientists up at the Iowa State

scientists up at the Iowa State

scientists up at the Iowa State University had these in petri dishes and

University had these in petri dishes and

University had these in petri dishes and I saw them and all of a sudden they they

I saw them and all of a sudden they they

I saw them and all of a sudden they they look like spaceships they look like

look like spaceships they look like

look like spaceships they look like Hubble telescope images but this is soil

Hubble telescope images but this is soil

Hubble telescope images but this is soil fungi down in the ground look at these

fungi down in the ground look at these

fungi down in the ground look at these things they’re incredibly beautiful and

things they’re incredibly beautiful and

things they’re incredibly beautiful and there are millions of them down there

there are millions of them down there

there are millions of them down there look at this structure of this thing

look at this structure of this thing

look at this structure of this thing species in one teaspoon of soil

species in one teaspoon of soil

species in one teaspoon of soil nematodes a hundred species not

nematodes a hundred species not

nematodes a hundred species not individuals species protozoa thousand

individuals species protozoa thousand

individuals species protozoa thousand species fungi 25,000 species bacteria 75

species fungi 25,000 species bacteria 75

species fungi 25,000 species bacteria 75 thousand species total organisms in us

thousand species total organisms in us

thousand species total organisms in us in a teaspoon of healthy soil 7 billion

in a teaspoon of healthy soil 7 billion

in a teaspoon of healthy soil 7 billion you know the numbers of what’s going on

you know the numbers of what’s going on

you know the numbers of what’s going on down there is incredible when we were

down there is incredible when we were

down there is incredible when we were doing this story also felt that we had

doing this story also felt that we had

doing this story also felt that we had to show the soil of course but all the

to show the soil of course but all the

to show the soil of course but all the soil scientists what they wanted to do

soil scientists what they wanted to do

soil scientists what they wanted to do need to do is go out and photograph all

need to do is go out and photograph all

need to do is go out and photograph all the 12 kinds of soils around the world

the 12 kinds of soils around the world

the 12 kinds of soils around the world the mall assault and all those all those

the mall assault and all those all those

the mall assault and all those all those things I learned all that stuff and I

things I learned all that stuff and I

things I learned all that stuff and I also thought oh gee people are going to

also thought oh gee people are going to

also thought oh gee people are going to be asleep pretty fast on this one you

be asleep pretty fast on this one you

be asleep pretty fast on this one you know so I figured out finally what I

know so I figured out finally what I

know so I figured out finally what I wanted to do was to do soil pits around

wanted to do was to do soil pits around

wanted to do was to do soil pits around the world where I could see the farmer

the world where I could see the farmer

the world where I could see the farmer with their soil and make that connection

with their soil and make that connection

with their soil and make that connection you know and that ended up working

you know and that ended up working

you know and that ended up working pretty well for us on this story so

pretty well for us on this story so

pretty well for us on this story so here’s Cletus Reed and his grandson Sam

here’s Cletus Reed and his grandson Sam

here’s Cletus Reed and his grandson Sam out in Iowa and you notice you see they

out in Iowa and you notice you see they

out in Iowa and you notice you see they got about 18 inches a really rich black

got about 18 inches a really rich black

got about 18 inches a really rich black topsoil they’re about 1870 they started

topsoil they’re about 1870 they started

topsoil they’re about 1870 they started farming out here they had 36 inches of

farming out here they had 36 inches of

farming out here they had 36 inches of topsoil and the soil that’s remaining

topsoil and the soil that’s remaining

topsoil and the soil that’s remaining has 50 percent of its soil carbon left

has 50 percent of its soil carbon left

has 50 percent of its soil carbon left so that means in 150 years roughly they

so that means in 150 years roughly they

so that means in 150 years roughly they have burned 75% of their fuel we can’t

have burned 75% of their fuel we can’t

have burned 75% of their fuel we can’t keep doing that folks

keep doing that folks

keep doing that folks modern agriculture is pretty much

modern agriculture is pretty much

modern agriculture is pretty much slow-motion strip mining of soil carbon

slow-motion strip mining of soil carbon

slow-motion strip mining of soil carbon and it’s going to catch up with a sooner

and it’s going to catch up with a sooner

and it’s going to catch up with a sooner or later so soon Hariri grows barley on

or later so soon Hariri grows barley on

or later so soon Hariri grows barley on that rocky soil how would you like to

that rocky soil how would you like to

that rocky soil how would you like to plow that and if she aside now in the

plow that and if she aside now in the

plow that and if she aside now in the share is really got tough soil and when

share is really got tough soil and when

share is really got tough soil and when you look at Maruyama

you look at Maruyama

you look at Maruyama abdullah in niche air you see it isn’t

abdullah in niche air you see it isn’t

abdullah in niche air you see it isn’t just that she doesn’t have tractors she

just that she doesn’t have tractors she

just that she doesn’t have tractors she just doesn’t have the components of

just doesn’t have the components of

just doesn’t have the components of basic agriculture the fact also that we

basic agriculture the fact also that we

basic agriculture the fact also that we are taking 40% of that corn from Iowa on

are taking 40% of that corn from Iowa on

are taking 40% of that corn from Iowa on the number Midwest of America and using

the number Midwest of America and using

the number Midwest of America and using it to make ethanol some people have

it to make ethanol some people have

it to make ethanol some people have called a crime against humanity

called a crime against humanity

called a crime against humanity you know and we’re going to have to stop

you know and we’re going to have to stop

you know and we’re going to have to stop sooner or later if you go to Syria

sooner or later if you go to Syria

sooner or later if you go to Syria around Aleppo you can see the dead

around Aleppo you can see the dead

around Aleppo you can see the dead cities a hundred dead cities out there

cities a hundred dead cities out there

cities a hundred dead cities out there and these cities in Byzantine times six

and these cities in Byzantine times six

and these cities in Byzantine times six or 700 AD had three or four feet of

or 700 AD had three or four feet of

or 700 AD had three or four feet of topsoil on top of all that rock and now

topsoil on top of all that rock and now

topsoil on top of all that rock and now it’s gone when plenty the elder came to

it’s gone when plenty the elder came to

it’s gone when plenty the elder came to Palmyra Syria in the second century

Palmyra Syria in the second century

Palmyra Syria in the second century there were two million fig trees going

there were two million fig trees going

there were two million fig trees going around Palmyra look at it now we can

around Palmyra look at it now we can

around Palmyra look at it now we can lose all that stuff but soil also has

lose all that stuff but soil also has

lose all that stuff but soil also has great hope to it I saw that in Africa

great hope to it I saw that in Africa

great hope to it I saw that in Africa when I went to visit Jakob I saw Dogu

when I went to visit Jakob I saw Dogu

when I went to visit Jakob I saw Dogu who was digging zai here ins I just

who was digging zai here ins I just

who was digging zai here ins I just trying to dig a little 4×4 inch hole in

trying to dig a little 4×4 inch hole in

trying to dig a little 4×4 inch hole in the ground maybe so that water will

the ground maybe so that water will

the ground maybe so that water will collect in there and maybe you’ll get a

collect in there and maybe you’ll get a

collect in there and maybe you’ll get a little soil going and maybe you could

little soil going and maybe you could

little soil going and maybe you could start the cycle of growing plants and

start the cycle of growing plants and

start the cycle of growing plants and eventually you’ll start planting trees

eventually you’ll start planting trees

eventually you’ll start planting trees which Yacouba had been doing for thirty

which Yacouba had been doing for thirty

which Yacouba had been doing for thirty years and because of that his soil came

years and because of that his soil came

years and because of that his soil came back and because his soil came back the

back and because his soil came back the

back and because his soil came back the farm was more fertile and because of

farm was more fertile and because of

farm was more fertile and because of that his family started coming back we

that his family started coming back we

that his family started coming back we have this problem in agriculture that we

have this problem in agriculture that we

have this problem in agriculture that we photographed and focused on heirlooms

photographed and focused on heirlooms

photographed and focused on heirlooms heritage the seeds that keep us alive

heritage the seeds that keep us alive

heritage the seeds that keep us alive and maintaining those seeds in the face

and maintaining those seeds in the face

and maintaining those seeds in the face of an uncertain world

of an uncertain world

of an uncertain world that’s why Cary Fowler is up there in

that’s why Cary Fowler is up there in

that’s why Cary Fowler is up there in the Arctic

the Arctic

the Arctic what he’s got there are seeds that are

what he’s got there are seeds that are

what he’s got there are seeds that are backup seeds from seed banks around the

backup seeds from seed banks around the

backup seeds from seed banks around the world stuffed into a frozen mountainside

world stuffed into a frozen mountainside

world stuffed into a frozen mountainside in the Arctic seeds from places like the

in the Arctic seeds from places like the

in the Arctic seeds from places like the seed bank they’re in Iowa

seed bank they’re in Iowa

seed bank they’re in Iowa rows and rows and rows of corn seeds all

rows and rows and rows of corn seeds all

rows and rows and rows of corn seeds all stuck in bottles for the simple reason

stuck in bottles for the simple reason

stuck in bottles for the simple reason that if you should run into something

that if you should run into something

that if you should run into something like ug99 wheat stem rush you’re going

like ug99 wheat stem rush you’re going

like ug99 wheat stem rush you’re going to hope that somebody in a seed bank

to hope that somebody in a seed bank

to hope that somebody in a seed bank like at Kansas State University out in

like at Kansas State University out in

like at Kansas State University out in Manhattan Kansas has a sample seed from

Manhattan Kansas has a sample seed from

Manhattan Kansas has a sample seed from their two hundred thousand different

their two hundred thousand different

their two hundred thousand different seeds of wheat in their collection that

seeds of wheat in their collection that

seeds of wheat in their collection that is resistant to that rust if it isn’t

is resistant to that rust if it isn’t

is resistant to that rust if it isn’t that wheat stem rust like you’re seeing

that wheat stem rust like you’re seeing

that wheat stem rust like you’re seeing right there is about 80 percent fatal to

right there is about 80 percent fatal to

right there is about 80 percent fatal to the wheat crop if something like that

the wheat crop if something like that

the wheat crop if something like that gets to India you have massive famine it

gets to India you have massive famine it

gets to India you have massive famine it isn’t just the seeds it isn’t just the

isn’t just the seeds it isn’t just the

isn’t just the seeds it isn’t just the crops and the livestock it’s the passing

crops and the livestock it’s the passing

crops and the livestock it’s the passing on of the knowledge and when I saw that

on of the knowledge and when I saw that

on of the knowledge and when I saw that little girl there looking back at her

little girl there looking back at her

little girl there looking back at her mother carrying crops home in the

mother carrying crops home in the

mother carrying crops home in the evening what she’s three or four you

evening what she’s three or four you

evening what she’s three or four you know and she’s already learning this is

know and she’s already learning this is

know and she’s already learning this is already passing on these traditions are

already passing on these traditions are

already passing on these traditions are are passing on as a photographer this is

are passing on as a photographer this is

are passing on as a photographer this is one of those instance in which I’m out

one of those instance in which I’m out

one of those instance in which I’m out there and I don’t know what I’m looking

there and I don’t know what I’m looking

there and I don’t know what I’m looking for until I see it and all of a sudden

for until I see it and all of a sudden

for until I see it and all of a sudden there was something much more than I

there was something much more than I

there was something much more than I expected to see there in that little

expected to see there in that little

expected to see there in that little gesture between the little girl and her

gesture between the little girl and her

gesture between the little girl and her mother so finally I want to take you on

mother so finally I want to take you on

mother so finally I want to take you on a little trip here the thing that pulls

a little trip here the thing that pulls

a little trip here the thing that pulls this whole thing together is farmers the

this whole thing together is farmers the

this whole thing together is farmers the people who grow our food Scott Dowling

people who grow our food Scott Dowling

people who grow our food Scott Dowling up there in South Dakota is about as

up there in South Dakota is about as

up there in South Dakota is about as traditional a big farmers you’re going

traditional a big farmers you’re going

traditional a big farmers you’re going to find he grows 50,000 acres of wheat

to find he grows 50,000 acres of wheat

to find he grows 50,000 acres of wheat 50,000 acres in one contiguous field of

50,000 acres in one contiguous field of

50,000 acres in one contiguous field of wheat up there in South Dakota in 2011

wheat up there in South Dakota in 2011

wheat up there in South Dakota in 2011 he grew 1.3 million bushels of wheat in

he grew 1.3 million bushels of wheat in

he grew 1.3 million bushels of wheat in 2012 he had an 80% loss twenty four

2012 he had an 80% loss twenty four

2012 he had an 80% loss twenty four thousand five hundred acres of wheat

thousand five hundred acres of wheat

thousand five hundred acres of wheat were lost that year to him the truth of

were lost that year to him the truth of

were lost that year to him the truth of the matter is that these farmers in

the matter is that these farmers in

the matter is that these farmers in Bangladesh grow more food per acre than

Bangladesh grow more food per acre than

Bangladesh grow more food per acre than he does within his industrial

he does within his industrial

he does within his industrial methodology in south

methodology in south

methodology in south Dakotah the other thing to understand

Dakotah the other thing to understand

Dakotah the other thing to understand fundamentally about farmers in the world

fundamentally about farmers in the world

fundamentally about farmers in the world today is probably more than 50% of them

today is probably more than 50% of them

today is probably more than 50% of them they’re women so whenever you see the

they’re women so whenever you see the

they’re women so whenever you see the advertisements is always a guy out there

advertisements is always a guy out there

advertisements is always a guy out there the fact of the matter is most the food

the fact of the matter is most the food

the fact of the matter is most the food in the world is grown by women the

in the world is grown by women the

in the world is grown by women the understanding of what’s going on here is

understanding of what’s going on here is

understanding of what’s going on here is they’re harvesting prawns they’re in a

they’re harvesting prawns they’re in a

they’re harvesting prawns they’re in a pond next to a house what was

pond next to a house what was

pond next to a house what was interesting was when I saw these guys

interesting was when I saw these guys

interesting was when I saw these guys hold up the net it really was the

hold up the net it really was the

hold up the net it really was the background for this kid and the guy in

background for this kid and the guy in

background for this kid and the guy in the middle right there in the back got

the middle right there in the back got

the middle right there in the back got the kid from behind the net and put him

the kid from behind the net and put him

the kid from behind the net and put him out front and I said oh yeah this is the

out front and I said oh yeah this is the

out front and I said oh yeah this is the right thing to do

right thing to do

right thing to do he understand what I was looking for

he understand what I was looking for

he understand what I was looking for everyone’s want people know that they

everyone’s want people know that they

everyone’s want people know that they are making a statement by being seen and

are making a statement by being seen and

are making a statement by being seen and they don’t know where the picture is

they don’t know where the picture is

they don’t know where the picture is going to go they don’t know that you’re

going to go they don’t know that you’re

going to go they don’t know that you’re going to see it or that our readers are

going to see it or that our readers are

going to see it or that our readers are going to see it anything like this but

going to see it anything like this but

going to see it anything like this but they know that they’re somehow speaking

they know that they’re somehow speaking

they know that they’re somehow speaking to the world and if I’m sort of the

to the world and if I’m sort of the

to the world and if I’m sort of the vessel of that message you know it’s

vessel of that message you know it’s

vessel of that message you know it’s incredibly rewarding to do that

incredibly rewarding to do that

incredibly rewarding to do that the sad part about this is all those

the sad part about this is all those

the sad part about this is all those prawns they’re not going to get to eat

prawns they’re not going to get to eat

prawns they’re not going to get to eat them they go to Europe because they’re

them they go to Europe because they’re

them they go to Europe because they’re much too valuable to actually eat and

much too valuable to actually eat and

much too valuable to actually eat and fundamentally whatever goes on in the

fundamentally whatever goes on in the

fundamentally whatever goes on in the world of Agriculture it still comes down

world of Agriculture it still comes down

world of Agriculture it still comes down to this basic faith that we started out

to this basic faith that we started out

to this basic faith that we started out with people putting a plant in the

with people putting a plant in the

with people putting a plant in the ground and hoping that it’s going to

ground and hoping that it’s going to

ground and hoping that it’s going to feed them and feed their children so if

feed them and feed their children so if

feed them and feed their children so if we’re going to feed the planet the

we’re going to feed the planet the

we’re going to feed the planet the billions of people who are going to be

billions of people who are going to be

billions of people who are going to be here in 2050 this is perhaps the

here in 2050 this is perhaps the

here in 2050 this is perhaps the greatest challenge we have in humanity

greatest challenge we have in humanity

greatest challenge we have in humanity right now is feeding those people who

right now is feeding those people who

right now is feeding those people who are already in the pipeline and who are

are already in the pipeline and who are

are already in the pipeline and who are coming and it’s going to happen as I say

coming and it’s going to happen as I say

coming and it’s going to happen as I say in our lifetime and in our children’s

in our lifetime and in our children’s

in our lifetime and in our children’s lifetime it’s the greatest challenge we

lifetime it’s the greatest challenge we

lifetime it’s the greatest challenge we face I hope we’re up to it thank you so

face I hope we’re up to it thank you so

face I hope we’re up to it thank you so much for being part of this