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Kiss the Ground: How the Food You Eat Can Reverse Climate Change, Heal Your Body & Ultimately Save Our World
Discover the hidden power soil has to reverse climate change, and how a regenerative farming diet not only delivers us better health and wellness, but also rebuilds our most precious resource—the very ground that feeds us.
Josh Tickell, one of America’s most celebrated documentary filmmakers and director of Fuel, has dedicated most of his life to saving the environment. Now, in Kiss the Ground, he explains an incredible truth: by changing our diets to a soil-nourishing, regenerative agriculture diet, we can reverse global warming, harvest healthy, abundant food, and eliminate the poisonous substances that are harming our children, pets, bodies, and ultimately our planet.
Through fascinating and accessible interviews with celebrity chefs, ranchers, farmers, and top scientists, this remarkable book, soon to be a full-length documentary film narrated by Woody Harrelson, will teach you how to become an agent in humanity’s single most important and time sensitive mission. Reverse climate change and effectively save the world—all through the choices you make in how and what to eat.
Josh Tickell, one of America’s most celebrated documentary filmmakers and director of Fuel, has dedicated most of his life to saving the environment. Now, in Kiss the Ground, he explains an incredible truth: by changing our diets to a soil-nourishing, regenerative agriculture diet, we can reverse global warming, harvest healthy, abundant food, and eliminate the poisonous substances that are harming our children, pets, bodies, and ultimately our planet.
Through fascinating and accessible interviews with celebrity chefs, ranchers, farmers, and top scientists, this remarkable book, soon to be a full-length documentary film narrated by Woody Harrelson, will teach you how to become an agent in humanity’s single most important and time sensitive mission. Reverse climate change and effectively save the world—all through the choices you make in how and what to eat.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published November 14, 2017
192 people are currently reading
3806 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
November 7, 2017
Another fascinating and somewhat scary book about what we are doing to the soil and water that nurtures all life on earth through our current farming techniques and practices.
Did you know that "...conventionally farmed food requires three pounds of toxic chemicals per American per year"?
In his new book coming out later this month (November, 2017), Josh Tickell talks about the history of farming, the growing use of chemicals to increase yield and how he believes that 'the way we practice agriculture today leads to the process of desertification that is destroying the production of the places where we grow food.'
Tickell believes a more beneficial way to work the land is through 'regenerative' agriculture, 'a form of agriculture that employs the power of life to create life.' Regenerative agriculture builds soil fertility. The methods are simple: 'cover the soil with a living plant at all times, don't till, use sprays sparingly if at all, get ruminants and their manure onto the land, rotate crops, and always be a student of your soil's health.'
For someone who is trying to eat a healthy diet, Tickell also has a section on 'The Healthy Plate' with good tips, such as 'Reverse your plate: eat more veggies, less meat, and less processed food.'
Tickell warns us that our future depends on the condition of our soil; in fact, the very fate of our species depends on it. And the time to worry about it is RIGHT NOW!!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this important new book. I think I will be reading it again many times in the months to come.
Did you know that "...conventionally farmed food requires three pounds of toxic chemicals per American per year"?
In his new book coming out later this month (November, 2017), Josh Tickell talks about the history of farming, the growing use of chemicals to increase yield and how he believes that 'the way we practice agriculture today leads to the process of desertification that is destroying the production of the places where we grow food.'
Tickell believes a more beneficial way to work the land is through 'regenerative' agriculture, 'a form of agriculture that employs the power of life to create life.' Regenerative agriculture builds soil fertility. The methods are simple: 'cover the soil with a living plant at all times, don't till, use sprays sparingly if at all, get ruminants and their manure onto the land, rotate crops, and always be a student of your soil's health.'
For someone who is trying to eat a healthy diet, Tickell also has a section on 'The Healthy Plate' with good tips, such as 'Reverse your plate: eat more veggies, less meat, and less processed food.'
Tickell warns us that our future depends on the condition of our soil; in fact, the very fate of our species depends on it. And the time to worry about it is RIGHT NOW!!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this important new book. I think I will be reading it again many times in the months to come.
August 24, 2018
What an absolutely fantastic book! Wow! If you think a book about soil would be boring, you obviously have not read Josh Tickell's Kiss the Ground. It is a book that both scares you and offers you hope, and it is chock-full of so many interesting facts that there's not a boring page in it.
Josh Tickell takes us back to the beginning of agriculture, discussing how our modern practices evolved from those ancient ones, how we've kept the negative aspects and then added more of our own. He discusses the life of soil, how it is regenerated, the ecosystems which feed and create healthy soil, and what exactly healthy soil is (one handful of it contains more life forms than all the humans that ever lived on Earth!).
Our current agricultural practices are rapidly desertifying the soil, which makes it impossible to grow food. As our population is exploding, we are left with less and less arable, healthy soil in which to grow our food. Our current practices are also greatly contributing to climate change. However, we need not continue on the same path. Mr. Tickell talks to various farmers who practice organic regenerative farming, explains what that means and how it can help save us and our planet, and make life better for the millions of animals we raise. Through the right farming methods, we can actually pull carbon out of the air and store it back in the earth where it belongs and can nourish our food. We need not poison ourselves and our Earth with massive amounts of herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides (in the USA, we currently use 3 pounds per year per person!); instead we can farm in a way that we get maximum nutrition from our food without all the harmful chemicals currently poisoning our food. Also discussed is how we can help the environment (and ourselves!) through what we choose to eat.
There is just so much in this book that it's impossible to talk about it all. For me, what makes an excellent non-fiction book is that I learn a lot from it. "Kiss the Ground" certainly fits this. It's not dry in the least either, as some vastly informative books are. I had a hard time putting this book down, it was just so interesting.
If you garden or farm, if you're concerned about climate change and like learning about ways you can make a difference, if you just enjoy non-fiction books that are well-written and informative, be sure to add "Kiss the Ground" to your reading list.
Josh Tickell takes us back to the beginning of agriculture, discussing how our modern practices evolved from those ancient ones, how we've kept the negative aspects and then added more of our own. He discusses the life of soil, how it is regenerated, the ecosystems which feed and create healthy soil, and what exactly healthy soil is (one handful of it contains more life forms than all the humans that ever lived on Earth!).
Our current agricultural practices are rapidly desertifying the soil, which makes it impossible to grow food. As our population is exploding, we are left with less and less arable, healthy soil in which to grow our food. Our current practices are also greatly contributing to climate change. However, we need not continue on the same path. Mr. Tickell talks to various farmers who practice organic regenerative farming, explains what that means and how it can help save us and our planet, and make life better for the millions of animals we raise. Through the right farming methods, we can actually pull carbon out of the air and store it back in the earth where it belongs and can nourish our food. We need not poison ourselves and our Earth with massive amounts of herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides (in the USA, we currently use 3 pounds per year per person!); instead we can farm in a way that we get maximum nutrition from our food without all the harmful chemicals currently poisoning our food. Also discussed is how we can help the environment (and ourselves!) through what we choose to eat.
There is just so much in this book that it's impossible to talk about it all. For me, what makes an excellent non-fiction book is that I learn a lot from it. "Kiss the Ground" certainly fits this. It's not dry in the least either, as some vastly informative books are. I had a hard time putting this book down, it was just so interesting.
If you garden or farm, if you're concerned about climate change and like learning about ways you can make a difference, if you just enjoy non-fiction books that are well-written and informative, be sure to add "Kiss the Ground" to your reading list.
February 2, 2024
pretty on par with the documentary
July 23, 2017
I feel like we (i.e., Americans, humans, inhabitants of this globe) are at a crossroads. Global political alliances are shifting, wars drone on and on, ancient cities lay in ruins, the press is under attack, the seas are rising, and climate change threatens everything. Some days I just want to hide my head under my pillow and cry or stand in the middle of the street and scream. But then, I pick up a book like KISS THE GROUND and suddenly I am filled with hope. And hope is definitely what I need. (Full disclosure: this review is based on reading an ARC.)
From the foreword by John Mackey, founder and CEO of Whole Foods, and the inspirational and touching Introduction by the author to the very last word in the last chapter, The Regenerative Revolution, KISS THE GROUND is a manifesto of hope and a motivational call to personal action.
If there is one thing that binds all creatures together it is the need to eat. Changing our food systems--and our personal food choices--is the key to changing our relationship with our planet and with each other. And in KISS THE GROUND, Josh Tickell provides the information (complete with references) and motivation we need to transform ourselves from merely takers to caretakers. Of our soil. Of our bodies. Of each other.
KISS THE GROUND is essential reading for anyone who eats.
From the foreword by John Mackey, founder and CEO of Whole Foods, and the inspirational and touching Introduction by the author to the very last word in the last chapter, The Regenerative Revolution, KISS THE GROUND is a manifesto of hope and a motivational call to personal action.
If there is one thing that binds all creatures together it is the need to eat. Changing our food systems--and our personal food choices--is the key to changing our relationship with our planet and with each other. And in KISS THE GROUND, Josh Tickell provides the information (complete with references) and motivation we need to transform ourselves from merely takers to caretakers. Of our soil. Of our bodies. Of each other.
KISS THE GROUND is essential reading for anyone who eats.
October 1, 2017
Josh Tickell in his new book, Kiss the Ground, travels to Paris and across the United States to research and raise awareness of the role and potential that soil has to mitigate climate change and alleviate hunger. During these travels, Tickell speaks with government officials, ranchers, soil scientists, farmers, and chefs to detail the ways soil has been abused by degenerative agricultural practices as well as the ways soil can be regenerated by regenerative agricultural practices.
If you’ve never thought at all about the soil under your feet, many of the issues that Tickell brings to the forefront may seem revelatory. Who knew that soil could be so complex? Though even if you’ve previously dug deeply into these topics and are aware of this complexity, the various experts and practitioners Tickell interviews provide numerous insights into how and why the agricultural system is broken, and what can be done to fix it.
The first chapter that includes an interview with France’s Agricultural Minister Stephane Le Foil, explains how soil’s role has been overlooked in mitigating climate change. Interviews in subsequent chapters with former NRCS agronomist Ray Archuleta, farmer Gabe Brown, and Rodale Institute soil scientist Dr. Kristine Nichol explain how tillage and chemical inputs have degraded soil and released massive amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere as well as how non-till agriculture, cover crops and well managed grazing can put a lot of that carbon back into the ground (sequester carbon) where it belong while improving soil health which, in turn, provides drought resistance and reduces the need for pesticides.
Other chapters with historical overviews, for example, of synthetic fertilizer use provide valuable context as to how and why we have the current “conventional” agricultural systems that we do.
Tickell’s book succeeds in questioning conventions. Where his book falls short is where Tickell too readily accepts some of the prevailing norms, specifically in regards to nutrition. Here he talks to “Mr. Epidemiology” himself, Walter Willett, who ironically laments about the influence of agricultural interests while pushing polyunsaturated fats based on research funded in part by, you guessed it, special interests that profit from his findings. What kind of special interests? Corporations like Unilever that make numerous lines of products out of polyunsaturated fats derived largely from soy, corn and other seed oil crops. Tickell seemed impressed with the Harvard affiliation, but the truth is industries use prestigious academic institutions to further their own interests (Josh should read University Inc by Jennifer Washburn).
People seem to forget that animal feeds derived from these crops were all originally by-products of the seed oil industry that begot the processed food industry. So if you really want to see a damning correlation, look at when Crisco replaced lard, margarine replaced butter, and poly-unsaturated fats from industrialized derived vegetable oils replaced animal fats. When you do, you’ll see that heart disease and other modern illnesses neatly correlate with these recent evolutionary dietary changes. Therefore if you really want to decrease the expansion of soy bean and corn crops, you need to put ruminants back on grass, feed monogastric livestock farmed insects, and stop using so many polyunsaturated fats as cooking oils and ingredients in processed foods.
Tickell's "eat less meat" argument also should have been immediately qualified, meaning the emphasis should have been on not eating factory raised meats and sourcing ranchers using regenerative methods. When people do this they tend to eat less meat anyway. But the real emphasis should be on being conscientious as to how ALL your food is raised or grown because people should also eat less food, including plants and seed oils, that rely on forms of agriculture that are also very destructive. The unqualified "eat less meat" mantra reinforces a false dichotomy. Production methods, including the appropriateness of production location, are often more important than the product raised or grown when assessing environmental impacts.
One really wishes Tickell just stuck to the soil science instead of meandering through the nebulous world of epidemiological nutritional science or prescribing dietary patterns. Here, with soil science, he could have interviewed someone like David Montgomery or Jo Robinson and discussed how healthier soil ecosystems increase the macro and micro nutrient content of the food grown that we eat directly as plants or indirectly through livestock.
But all in all, Tickell’s book is an excellent and accessible addition to the overlooked topics of soil health and soil’s role in climate change. Therefore, if I had to give Kiss the Ground a grade based on a score of 1 to 100, I’d give the book a 96 out of 100. Though the discussion on nutrition was lacking enough to lose a star here. Regardless, hopefully the forthcoming documentary film based on this book will be even more compelling and make even more people aware of the important role soil has in shaping our personal and our environment’s health. Though hopefully that film will also leave its segment with Walter Willett on the cutting room floor.
If you’ve never thought at all about the soil under your feet, many of the issues that Tickell brings to the forefront may seem revelatory. Who knew that soil could be so complex? Though even if you’ve previously dug deeply into these topics and are aware of this complexity, the various experts and practitioners Tickell interviews provide numerous insights into how and why the agricultural system is broken, and what can be done to fix it.
The first chapter that includes an interview with France’s Agricultural Minister Stephane Le Foil, explains how soil’s role has been overlooked in mitigating climate change. Interviews in subsequent chapters with former NRCS agronomist Ray Archuleta, farmer Gabe Brown, and Rodale Institute soil scientist Dr. Kristine Nichol explain how tillage and chemical inputs have degraded soil and released massive amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere as well as how non-till agriculture, cover crops and well managed grazing can put a lot of that carbon back into the ground (sequester carbon) where it belong while improving soil health which, in turn, provides drought resistance and reduces the need for pesticides.
Other chapters with historical overviews, for example, of synthetic fertilizer use provide valuable context as to how and why we have the current “conventional” agricultural systems that we do.
Tickell’s book succeeds in questioning conventions. Where his book falls short is where Tickell too readily accepts some of the prevailing norms, specifically in regards to nutrition. Here he talks to “Mr. Epidemiology” himself, Walter Willett, who ironically laments about the influence of agricultural interests while pushing polyunsaturated fats based on research funded in part by, you guessed it, special interests that profit from his findings. What kind of special interests? Corporations like Unilever that make numerous lines of products out of polyunsaturated fats derived largely from soy, corn and other seed oil crops. Tickell seemed impressed with the Harvard affiliation, but the truth is industries use prestigious academic institutions to further their own interests (Josh should read University Inc by Jennifer Washburn).
People seem to forget that animal feeds derived from these crops were all originally by-products of the seed oil industry that begot the processed food industry. So if you really want to see a damning correlation, look at when Crisco replaced lard, margarine replaced butter, and poly-unsaturated fats from industrialized derived vegetable oils replaced animal fats. When you do, you’ll see that heart disease and other modern illnesses neatly correlate with these recent evolutionary dietary changes. Therefore if you really want to decrease the expansion of soy bean and corn crops, you need to put ruminants back on grass, feed monogastric livestock farmed insects, and stop using so many polyunsaturated fats as cooking oils and ingredients in processed foods.
Tickell's "eat less meat" argument also should have been immediately qualified, meaning the emphasis should have been on not eating factory raised meats and sourcing ranchers using regenerative methods. When people do this they tend to eat less meat anyway. But the real emphasis should be on being conscientious as to how ALL your food is raised or grown because people should also eat less food, including plants and seed oils, that rely on forms of agriculture that are also very destructive. The unqualified "eat less meat" mantra reinforces a false dichotomy. Production methods, including the appropriateness of production location, are often more important than the product raised or grown when assessing environmental impacts.
One really wishes Tickell just stuck to the soil science instead of meandering through the nebulous world of epidemiological nutritional science or prescribing dietary patterns. Here, with soil science, he could have interviewed someone like David Montgomery or Jo Robinson and discussed how healthier soil ecosystems increase the macro and micro nutrient content of the food grown that we eat directly as plants or indirectly through livestock.
But all in all, Tickell’s book is an excellent and accessible addition to the overlooked topics of soil health and soil’s role in climate change. Therefore, if I had to give Kiss the Ground a grade based on a score of 1 to 100, I’d give the book a 96 out of 100. Though the discussion on nutrition was lacking enough to lose a star here. Regardless, hopefully the forthcoming documentary film based on this book will be even more compelling and make even more people aware of the important role soil has in shaping our personal and our environment’s health. Though hopefully that film will also leave its segment with Walter Willett on the cutting room floor.
February 13, 2018
KISS THE GROUND by Josh Tickell is an absorbing tale that could save us from ourselves. In our hurry to increase production of the food we eat, we’ve alleviated the nutrients and poisoned our environment. But there is hope, beginning with this book and regenerative agriculture.
For clickable links to further viewing/reading - read this review on my blog.
There are a lot of books out there that are full of hype and a fear factor regarding our environment. This isn’t that kind of book. It’s scary, but with good reason, as well as providing the answers to fix the mess we’ve made.
Josh Tickell covers food history and our current situation intelligently. Civilizations have ended due to lack of food. If you think it’s not your problem, this book will prove that it’s a global situation that can no longer be ignored. There is a way out, and each of us can make a difference.
In my opinion, this book should be required reading in high school and college. It’s science and history rolled together into an entertaining format, giving hope for our future on this planet. The Tatanka (American Buffalo) played such a relevant role for many tribes, but also for the biodiversity of our land. The reader travels with the author as he meets with the Rodales and many other significant influences in farming. Completely absorbing for a plant nerd like me!
The section on soil and no-tilling is fascinating, but I had to re-read it several times as I kept getting lost. I think it will depend if farming is your life, or not – or whether your field of study has been horticulture, to judge for yourself if this information is too extensive. I find it fascinating, but I needed to take it in small doses.
It took me months to read this book. And not because it wasn’t interesting. Quite the contrary, because I feel it’s the best book I’ve read on the revolution of farming. It’s jam-packed with stories, proof, and detail that took me on a journey I loved. I savored this book each time I picked it up, often re-reading sections to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
At one point, KISS THE GROUND read like a thriller to me. I had all these light-bulb moments, realizing this is the book that will save the American farmer, if only we’ll listen. It made me so excited that I told everyone I know about this book. I know it has changed my thinking for my tiny rural garden, as well as the community garden we hope to build. It’s also amazing for those interested in a healthy eating lifestyle. With excellent ideas and an action plan, KISS THE GROUND needs to be read by everyone who believes in the healing power of food.
BUY THE BOOK!
For further enlightenment, listen to this podcast with Josh Tickell. It’s uplifting and will convince you to read this book, or see the documentary when it comes out. If you enjoy the first podcast, there’s more positive energy in this one with Ryland Engelhart. Wanting to know more about Josh Tickell, I found my new favorite listening spot at the Front Row Factor and bought the book as well.
If you too want a positive outlook on what can be done about climate change, then start with KISS THE GROUND and get busy! I’m forever changed because of it.
Highly Recommended!
Review by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest. Digital advanced copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review.
For clickable links to further viewing/reading - read this review on my blog.
There are a lot of books out there that are full of hype and a fear factor regarding our environment. This isn’t that kind of book. It’s scary, but with good reason, as well as providing the answers to fix the mess we’ve made.
Josh Tickell covers food history and our current situation intelligently. Civilizations have ended due to lack of food. If you think it’s not your problem, this book will prove that it’s a global situation that can no longer be ignored. There is a way out, and each of us can make a difference.
In my opinion, this book should be required reading in high school and college. It’s science and history rolled together into an entertaining format, giving hope for our future on this planet. The Tatanka (American Buffalo) played such a relevant role for many tribes, but also for the biodiversity of our land. The reader travels with the author as he meets with the Rodales and many other significant influences in farming. Completely absorbing for a plant nerd like me!
The section on soil and no-tilling is fascinating, but I had to re-read it several times as I kept getting lost. I think it will depend if farming is your life, or not – or whether your field of study has been horticulture, to judge for yourself if this information is too extensive. I find it fascinating, but I needed to take it in small doses.
It took me months to read this book. And not because it wasn’t interesting. Quite the contrary, because I feel it’s the best book I’ve read on the revolution of farming. It’s jam-packed with stories, proof, and detail that took me on a journey I loved. I savored this book each time I picked it up, often re-reading sections to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
At one point, KISS THE GROUND read like a thriller to me. I had all these light-bulb moments, realizing this is the book that will save the American farmer, if only we’ll listen. It made me so excited that I told everyone I know about this book. I know it has changed my thinking for my tiny rural garden, as well as the community garden we hope to build. It’s also amazing for those interested in a healthy eating lifestyle. With excellent ideas and an action plan, KISS THE GROUND needs to be read by everyone who believes in the healing power of food.
BUY THE BOOK!
For further enlightenment, listen to this podcast with Josh Tickell. It’s uplifting and will convince you to read this book, or see the documentary when it comes out. If you enjoy the first podcast, there’s more positive energy in this one with Ryland Engelhart. Wanting to know more about Josh Tickell, I found my new favorite listening spot at the Front Row Factor and bought the book as well.
If you too want a positive outlook on what can be done about climate change, then start with KISS THE GROUND and get busy! I’m forever changed because of it.
Highly Recommended!
Review by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest. Digital advanced copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review.
September 27, 2018
This is nonfiction health & science. I've had this book for some time and have finally read it. I liked this, but there wasn't much in here that I haven't read elsewhere. However, I appreciated the messages. Grow your food. Eat whole foods especially vegetables. Don't use chemicals. Avoid processed food or at least, eat less of it. How important it is to restore eco-systems. All these things that are well and good. This is important in our world as it is and there is a need to be proactive, I'm just not sure this was completely successful in conveying that.....so 3 stars.
November 12, 2017
This is one of those books that make you depressed and hopeful at the same time. Josh Tickell outlines how our current agriculture system is ruining our land and climate. At the same time he presents solutions for solving our problems, converting to a gentler, more sustainable agriculture that would take carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the soil, thus ameliorating both our global warming problem and our agriculture problem simultaneously. It is great to know that there are answers!
The depressing part comes in where I realize that people in the United States, at least, are highly unlikely to actually effect any kind of significant change. We don't seem to want to pre-emptively fix problems, we wait until it's too late and the disaster has already struck.
This will also be a documentary at some point; I'm looking forward to seeing it!
https://kisstheground.com/
The depressing part comes in where I realize that people in the United States, at least, are highly unlikely to actually effect any kind of significant change. We don't seem to want to pre-emptively fix problems, we wait until it's too late and the disaster has already struck.
This will also be a documentary at some point; I'm looking forward to seeing it!
https://kisstheground.com/
December 14, 2017
Same shit, different day. Some scientific explanations,otherwise not impressed and I can't believe that the CEO of Whole Foods wrote the forward. What a joke. What about this Whole Foods...less waste, less packaging, and more bulk? Those kind of stores are popping up all over the world and making a huge impact on the environment and the consumer. Just saying.
October 10, 2020
Everyone needs to read this book.
May 3, 2021
3.75 stars. This book was fine! Good, even! But you know... there is always that one book that comes along - especially when you've been reading about and are interested in a particular subject - that is the "marker" that you're ready to read about the topic at a deeper, more nuanced level. What would have been a good - even tremendously good - book at the beginning of your reading jag, now feels like you're retreading familiar ground. So, that was my experience with this book. It's interesting! There's good stuff here! But I feel like I'd already read most of it before? But that's not the book's fault, it's mine. Time for a new reading angle on agriculture, climate change, and how to shake-up our terrible system, I suppose. I did like the tips at the end for moving to a more regenerative form of eating/living (as in regenerative agriculture, not some sci-fi shit). And hey, it was the nudge I needed to eat a salad for lunch today, so everyone wins, right?
September 18, 2017
If you like learning about positive innovations and how to help them succeed, Kiss the Ground is for you. I enjoyed the book because it very effectively makes the case that using regenerative practices to work with nature is a much more efficient and productive way to farm. And while that may not sound innovative, it is, because current agricultural practices work against nature.
What I learned from Kiss the Ground is that in a surprisingly short amount of time, soil farmed or grazed regeneratively has the potential to absorb massive amounts of carbon – while simultaneously enhancing biodiversity and producing food that improves people’s health. What’s not to love about that?
Of course, the more than $992 billion conventional agricultural and food industry can think of a lot of things not to love. As with any book that outlines a planetary problem, Kiss the Ground’s descriptions of all the ways these industries work to perpetuate conventional farming can feel overwhelming.
But the author suggests many ideas to help turn the regenerative vision into reality. If you’re a city dweller like me, wielding the power of food dollars is a good start. As we’ve already seen with the explosive growth of the organic food industry, demand drives supply. And a brand new Regenerative Organic Certified label is coming soon that establishes higher standards for soil health, land management, and animal welfare, as well as fairness to farmers and workers. We can soon choose to pay farmers to supply us with nutrient-rich foods grown with regenerative methods.
I believe regenerative land use is a movement whose time has come, and this book is a great resource.
What I learned from Kiss the Ground is that in a surprisingly short amount of time, soil farmed or grazed regeneratively has the potential to absorb massive amounts of carbon – while simultaneously enhancing biodiversity and producing food that improves people’s health. What’s not to love about that?
Of course, the more than $992 billion conventional agricultural and food industry can think of a lot of things not to love. As with any book that outlines a planetary problem, Kiss the Ground’s descriptions of all the ways these industries work to perpetuate conventional farming can feel overwhelming.
But the author suggests many ideas to help turn the regenerative vision into reality. If you’re a city dweller like me, wielding the power of food dollars is a good start. As we’ve already seen with the explosive growth of the organic food industry, demand drives supply. And a brand new Regenerative Organic Certified label is coming soon that establishes higher standards for soil health, land management, and animal welfare, as well as fairness to farmers and workers. We can soon choose to pay farmers to supply us with nutrient-rich foods grown with regenerative methods.
I believe regenerative land use is a movement whose time has come, and this book is a great resource.
August 19, 2021
This book was super informative and an interesting look into a lot of the topics surrounding regenerative vs. organic vs. conventional farming. I do have to critique the final chapters on weirdly trying to appeal to diet culture with the "eat regenerative, lose weight" vibes, which was unnecessary imo. I felt the author got a great variety of people to talk to and really focused on engaging and lifting up the farmers. I am excited to watch the Netflix documentary on this to see how they compare!
September 14, 2017
As the Savory Global Network Coordinator and a Savory Hub leader in California, I work with people passionate about regenerative agriculture each day, so I thought there was a chance that a book about this topic might not surprise me. Wow, was I wrong! Josh is a fantastic writer. Complex concepts related to climate change, soil science, agriculture and food production are brought into focus through his excellent writing. I learned so much about the four pillars of regenerative agriculture (and again, I work in this space each day!). I never thought a description of a government event like COP21 could literally be a page-turner, but Josh pulled it off. One question I have is about the recommendation to eat less meat. As is stated in the book, the way in which food is produced determines the health, quality and environmental impact of the product. This is what we should be paying attention to--how the food is produced. When we are eating nutrient-dense foods grown in regenerating soils, we (or at least I) naturally eat less (of everything, not just meat) because the food is more satisfying. The flavor is incredible, it feels clean and is energizing.
If meat animals are restoring land, as is the case when part of Holistic Planned Grazing, then why should we eat less? Please know that I am not advocating for 16 oz porterhouse steaks for all people at every meal, but in terms of the logic of the statement, I am curious. Holistic Planned Grazing, one of the pillars of regenerative agriculture, allows for soil to increase its water-holding capacity. It enhances the entire ecosystem. Beef, bison, lamb, goat, pork, chicken, etc. are all by-products of a healthy ecosystem when managed holistically on regenerating grasslands/pastures. I certainly do not ever want to tell another person what to eat (that is just rude and insensitive, I think), but again, just want to further understand the argument for less meat. Anyway, food for thought! :)
I think Josh Tickell's book is so critical at this point in time. I hope it is read by all who want to make a positive impact on the world. I am grateful to him for writing it and for the amazing work Kiss the Ground does each day.
If meat animals are restoring land, as is the case when part of Holistic Planned Grazing, then why should we eat less? Please know that I am not advocating for 16 oz porterhouse steaks for all people at every meal, but in terms of the logic of the statement, I am curious. Holistic Planned Grazing, one of the pillars of regenerative agriculture, allows for soil to increase its water-holding capacity. It enhances the entire ecosystem. Beef, bison, lamb, goat, pork, chicken, etc. are all by-products of a healthy ecosystem when managed holistically on regenerating grasslands/pastures. I certainly do not ever want to tell another person what to eat (that is just rude and insensitive, I think), but again, just want to further understand the argument for less meat. Anyway, food for thought! :)
I think Josh Tickell's book is so critical at this point in time. I hope it is read by all who want to make a positive impact on the world. I am grateful to him for writing it and for the amazing work Kiss the Ground does each day.
February 17, 2021
For being only 350ish pages, I'm ridiculously impressed by how this book ties in so many complex systemic concepts that are involved in and control our (it mainly focuses on the US) industrial agricultural system. It very concisely and clearly explains basically all of Geog 130 (if you were lucky enough to take it back when it was good ha ha eek) plus specifics of soil chemistry and EJ of herbicide use and a more in-depth look at farmers lives and the pressures they are facing. Did I actually already know/had learned about most of this before? Yes. I did take a lot of food classes, as I was a food systems minor. So I think this book is more aimed at people who are either now learning about and getting interested in food or who don't know anything about ag, but I still felt my inner food nerd absolutely delight over it. What I loved is that at the end of the book it says, okay so what do you do if you aren't a farmer? And has an entire chapter of tangible action items that you can do as a consumer that are broad and ranging so there is certainly something accessible to anybody, like yes this is what the movement against climate change needs right now. Another thing that I guess should have been obvious is how clearly it addresses that carbon sequestration needs to happen in the soil (ie forests as a long term carbon sink are actually because of their soils, not their trees, it just frustrates me a lot ... tree planting schemes bug me too but we can talk more later), that is made clear right off the bat w the Paris permaculture plan.
Critiques! I had some vague memory of criticisms about the movie but wanted to read just being as critical as I could and look it up more after. So enters the reality that you can love something and be critical of it/call for better (a la RBG). First of all, on almost the first page of the book, it addresses that it is only a summary/cannot encompass everything, so to its credit, Tickell acknowledges that everything mentioned has more depth right away. My biggest critiques were that it doesn't address race and vulnerability in the herbicides discussion and that there is no discussion of connections/implications of the organics trend being so expensive and being inaccessible or exclusive to many communities. For that matter, the book doesn't discuss food sovereignty or food justice, but to be totally fair I think Tickell would say his focus was more on the production of food? For example, the book isn't interested in food distribution issues (although it does talk about how flooding foreign markets with our overproduced grain as a form of "aid" is bad) but does talk about how soil impacts a food product's nutrition. But the critique that you can't talk about one without the other I would say is also fair. What bugged me the most though is that it really applauds Whole Foods (granted, this is pre Amazon owning it) but doesn't talk about how inaccessible and expensive Whole Foods is. However, one of the action items / talking points is getting EBT and food stamps at farmer's markets.
This book isn't blind, it discusses EJ and climate refugees/climate disparity ie desertification. It talks a lot about "European contact" and how destructive it has been -- could it change that language to more directly address the white supremacy and violent genocide that phrase tries to encompass? Absolutely. Tickell is invited to the Oglala Sioux Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to specifically interview and talk about bison and grazing and how integral to traditional and indigenous food systems bison were and that they were hunted specifically as a tool of violence against indigenous communities. When talking about ranchers in the North Bay, he specifically addresses that the rancher who owns and runs the farm learned her methods from her adoptive grandfather, a Native American who taught her traditional ecological knowledge about animal management. The same credits and lessons of learning about polyculture and no-till and such are not really discussed. While he doesn't say white people invented regenerative ag I can see how that is the impression, he doesn't really say otherwise either. Given that there is actually nearly no discussion of race at all, you are left to assume that the book is pretty white and doesn't have farmers of color / bipoc voices interviewed.
So there's that, now I just googled the critique, several op-eds pop up but I don't think the original thing I saw (it was on Instagram I believe?). Anyways, what shows is exclusively about the movie which I've never seen but I'll say this -- I am anti-Leonardo DiCaprio's movies (mostly, I guess I haven't seen them all to be fair) so I'm not surprised. Ask me about Chad Hanson he's the worst. In fairness, the book also has a lil disclaimer type right at the beginning that says the movie doesn't capture it all. But I'm not going to try to defend the movie in any way, I haven't seen it but based on those and having read the book I'm going to say it probably isn't worth my time. (Just thought of something, did the cognitive bias work the other way where I set out to find so many problems in it that I ended up being less harsh? Interesting and possible) Overall, there are critiques/failings/whiteness in this book, it is far from perfect, and while acknowledging that I think it does a great job of explaining / teaching / convincing and am honestly so impressed at how neatly it captured the science and economics and culture of shifting industrial farming and food production in just one book because they are things that took several semester-length classes to teach me at Berkeley.
Critiques! I had some vague memory of criticisms about the movie but wanted to read just being as critical as I could and look it up more after. So enters the reality that you can love something and be critical of it/call for better (a la RBG). First of all, on almost the first page of the book, it addresses that it is only a summary/cannot encompass everything, so to its credit, Tickell acknowledges that everything mentioned has more depth right away. My biggest critiques were that it doesn't address race and vulnerability in the herbicides discussion and that there is no discussion of connections/implications of the organics trend being so expensive and being inaccessible or exclusive to many communities. For that matter, the book doesn't discuss food sovereignty or food justice, but to be totally fair I think Tickell would say his focus was more on the production of food? For example, the book isn't interested in food distribution issues (although it does talk about how flooding foreign markets with our overproduced grain as a form of "aid" is bad) but does talk about how soil impacts a food product's nutrition. But the critique that you can't talk about one without the other I would say is also fair. What bugged me the most though is that it really applauds Whole Foods (granted, this is pre Amazon owning it) but doesn't talk about how inaccessible and expensive Whole Foods is. However, one of the action items / talking points is getting EBT and food stamps at farmer's markets.
This book isn't blind, it discusses EJ and climate refugees/climate disparity ie desertification. It talks a lot about "European contact" and how destructive it has been -- could it change that language to more directly address the white supremacy and violent genocide that phrase tries to encompass? Absolutely. Tickell is invited to the Oglala Sioux Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to specifically interview and talk about bison and grazing and how integral to traditional and indigenous food systems bison were and that they were hunted specifically as a tool of violence against indigenous communities. When talking about ranchers in the North Bay, he specifically addresses that the rancher who owns and runs the farm learned her methods from her adoptive grandfather, a Native American who taught her traditional ecological knowledge about animal management. The same credits and lessons of learning about polyculture and no-till and such are not really discussed. While he doesn't say white people invented regenerative ag I can see how that is the impression, he doesn't really say otherwise either. Given that there is actually nearly no discussion of race at all, you are left to assume that the book is pretty white and doesn't have farmers of color / bipoc voices interviewed.
So there's that, now I just googled the critique, several op-eds pop up but I don't think the original thing I saw (it was on Instagram I believe?). Anyways, what shows is exclusively about the movie which I've never seen but I'll say this -- I am anti-Leonardo DiCaprio's movies (mostly, I guess I haven't seen them all to be fair) so I'm not surprised. Ask me about Chad Hanson he's the worst. In fairness, the book also has a lil disclaimer type right at the beginning that says the movie doesn't capture it all. But I'm not going to try to defend the movie in any way, I haven't seen it but based on those and having read the book I'm going to say it probably isn't worth my time. (Just thought of something, did the cognitive bias work the other way where I set out to find so many problems in it that I ended up being less harsh? Interesting and possible) Overall, there are critiques/failings/whiteness in this book, it is far from perfect, and while acknowledging that I think it does a great job of explaining / teaching / convincing and am honestly so impressed at how neatly it captured the science and economics and culture of shifting industrial farming and food production in just one book because they are things that took several semester-length classes to teach me at Berkeley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2018
Who'da thunk? A book about dirt - and it's absolutely fascinating. And scary. And hopeful. I'd like to buy dozens of copies and send to members of Congress (don't believe everything those lobbyists tell you), the White House (that's totally useless; I'll save my money), and the entire Walton family (between Walmart and Sam's Club, the Waltons are pretty powerful people when it comes to making industries change their practices). After explaining how human farming practices have evolved over the centuries, the author explains that what U.S. macro farmers are doing is ruining our environment. They have gotten into a vicious cycle of depleting the soil thus requiring more fertilizers (as well as insecticides and pesticides), further degrading the soil and requiring more fertilizers, on and on and on. Of course the soil is part of a larger ecological system, so climate change is accelerated. It just never ends. But Mr. Tickell also talks to farmers who are practicing organic regenerative farming, providing hope that we can turn things around. There is so much in this book it's impossible to capture it all here. This book is definitely a wake-up call to all of us.
October 27, 2021
As an individual concerned about climate change, as a hiker, biker and runner that loves the wilderness, I always assumed that forest protection and reforestation were the smartest ways to store carbon in the planet.
This book opened my horizons towards the role soil can play as a natural way of storing carbon.
Though I think the book would be a much better read without touching the impact of food on our body and without exaggerating by claiming the soil can ultimately save our world.
Soil can however, help
This book opened my horizons towards the role soil can play as a natural way of storing carbon.
Though I think the book would be a much better read without touching the impact of food on our body and without exaggerating by claiming the soil can ultimately save our world.
Soil can however, help
September 7, 2017
Josh Tickell’s life-long pursuit of revealing the truth behind sources we take for granted has given depth and experience to his new book, Kiss the Ground. Tickell (tick-ELL) travels throughout the US and France to interview farmers, scientists, politicians and entrepreneurs to understand why our planet is turning into a desert and what each of us can do about it. The information can be harsh, but then, our planetary situation is frightening. In order to help we must first understand. He ends the book with interviews of people who are making a positive impact on regenerative farming practices, as well as pages of suggestions on how an individual living anywhere can help slow global warming and desertification. Part of his point is that you don’t have to be a farmer to help build soil.
Obviously, Tickell’s solution is care for the soil. Reading descriptions of dark, carbon-rich healthy soil makes one yearn to touch and smell it, because it is so rare, and it shouldn’t be. Without giving anything away, soil protection, soil building and soil respect will heal our planet more than any other change we as the dominant species can make. We live in the anthropocene era where human behavior affects the entire planet. We need to grow up and take long-term responsibility for our actions. Tickell offers solutions of how this can be accomplished.
Tickell writes about regenerative living. The term sustainability has become commonplace in our lexicon, but that term implies that we maintain an existing situation while putting the brakes on further degradation. Regeneration is the improvement of a situation, and it is as attainable as sustainability.
In my opinion the most important take-away information from Kiss the Ground is how integral soil health is to creating oxygen on the planet, and how modern agriculture creates the same desertification that it is fighting. Being a permaculturalist I appreciate the scientific explanations offered in the book, such as exactly how disking kills soil, and about how chemicals affect phytoplankton which in turn affect our atmosphere. I especially appreciate the rare good news about how there are politicians with workable plans that, if followed, will have tremendous positive impact on our environment. At this writing there are tremendous fires burning valuable treescapes throughout Montana and California; parts of Mexico, Bangladesh and Texas are under water and the largest hurricane recorded is approaching Florida. Populated islands are disappearing through rising ocean levels. The effect on non-human species is catastrophic and heartbreaking. All of this can be fixed with global attention to soil. Kiss The Ground offers hope and help on how to achieve that goal.
Diane Kennedy, Finch Frolic Garden Permaculture.
Obviously, Tickell’s solution is care for the soil. Reading descriptions of dark, carbon-rich healthy soil makes one yearn to touch and smell it, because it is so rare, and it shouldn’t be. Without giving anything away, soil protection, soil building and soil respect will heal our planet more than any other change we as the dominant species can make. We live in the anthropocene era where human behavior affects the entire planet. We need to grow up and take long-term responsibility for our actions. Tickell offers solutions of how this can be accomplished.
Tickell writes about regenerative living. The term sustainability has become commonplace in our lexicon, but that term implies that we maintain an existing situation while putting the brakes on further degradation. Regeneration is the improvement of a situation, and it is as attainable as sustainability.
In my opinion the most important take-away information from Kiss the Ground is how integral soil health is to creating oxygen on the planet, and how modern agriculture creates the same desertification that it is fighting. Being a permaculturalist I appreciate the scientific explanations offered in the book, such as exactly how disking kills soil, and about how chemicals affect phytoplankton which in turn affect our atmosphere. I especially appreciate the rare good news about how there are politicians with workable plans that, if followed, will have tremendous positive impact on our environment. At this writing there are tremendous fires burning valuable treescapes throughout Montana and California; parts of Mexico, Bangladesh and Texas are under water and the largest hurricane recorded is approaching Florida. Populated islands are disappearing through rising ocean levels. The effect on non-human species is catastrophic and heartbreaking. All of this can be fixed with global attention to soil. Kiss The Ground offers hope and help on how to achieve that goal.
Diane Kennedy, Finch Frolic Garden Permaculture.
August 30, 2017
A comprehensive and provocative read highlighting new solutions, new heros, new ideas and describing how we can make the world better by working with nature and solving for complexity. The examples highlighted in these chapters are inspiring - leaders of a new movement. And offering hope! Highly recommend this!
February 14, 2019
Everyone on the planet should read this book and take it to heart. The species and the planet are facing the biggest challenge ever and we have the tools to fix it. This book explains the issues and gives great guidelines (albeit in the context of the US) as to how we can fix it.
April 25, 2019
Def giving me the understanding I need for a healthier world. Learned so much right in time for gardening season:)
October 20, 2020
Even better than I hoped for. Just wow.
March 27, 2022
So, so good. A must read for anyone concerned about our food system and the health of our future.
December 24, 2020
This book is a solid starting point to making a difference in so many ways.
September 21, 2017
Josh Tickell brings so much passion through this deeply moving and honest book. He balances the real life stories with well researched facts in a way that opens awareness into the planets soils and life supported by the soils. This book serves as a bridge from the status quo of how we live to a regenerative possibility of humans as being part of nature and the solution to climate change.
November 14, 2021
This book does a fantastic job of outlining the most promising solution I have heard of to not only stop climate change but reverse it. It is a must read, especially for anyone interested/concerned about health, our food systems, or protecting the planet.
October 16, 2017
I would file this wonderful read on the shelf next to "The Hidden Half of Nature", "The Omnivore's Dilemna", and "The Ecology of Care" in being both highly informative and highly readable, well-researched treatises on just what the subtitle says: how changing our eating habits may have that power to profoundly affect the planet. While I hesitate to wave the flag of 'saving our world' and 'reversing climate change', the role of agriculture in climate change and (obviously) in our health is absolutely critical to appreciate, and I commend Josh for having done a wonderful job of compiling both a comprehensive and in-depth overview of the intricate weavings between our food, the ground beneath our feet, climate (both of the planet and that between our ears) and community. Highly recommend both as an introduction to the nuances of regenerative agriculture and the importance of our soils to the health of both the planet and ourselves; and to those of us actively working in the field, as a refreshingly positive, global view of the movement we are a part of.
*This book was made available for free for review purposes.
Thank you so much to both Josh and Kiss The Ground for your work.
*This book was made available for free for review purposes.
Thank you so much to both Josh and Kiss The Ground for your work.
October 2, 2017
I opened Kiss the Ground thinking I would read a purely environmental book. I was pleasantly surprised that, with every turn of the page, I was learning so much about history, politics, cultures, and science while being thoroughly entertained by Josh Tickell's story telling style of writing. I highly recommend this book. I have already been telling my networks to order it. It's subject matter and detail are so timely for our geo-political climate and the current state of agro-politics. We don't have another generation to wait to address these issues & Josh lays out the challenges and possible solutions. It is written in a way that makes this book relatable to a very diverse readership.
October 9, 2017
I don’t think words can do justice to how important this book is for our future. I want so desperately for it to be read by EVERY American. If there is one book you must read in the next year, read Kiss the Ground.
Josh Tickell covers a lot of territory in this book. Many of these topics, from soil fertility to the woes of our Standard American Diet (SAD) have been written about with great expertise over the years. Trickell references or expands upon most of these experts… from Sir Albert Howard to Michael Pollan.
I’m a self-taught regenerative food advocate, and I’ve read volumes about the topics Tickell discusses. So I had to think hard to myself: What’s different about this book? What makes it stand out?
My answer to this has to do first with Tickell’s writing style. He has a gifted way of presenting this very serious subject matter in a fluid narrative, weaving together the variety of subtopics that are all essential to the whole exposition. I breezed through it in just a few days, compared to most books about food, health, soil, agriculture, etc., that can get fairly dry and weighty.
More importantly, the message in Kiss the Ground is momentous in its keen grasp of the most pressing issue of our time. As Tickell says in the introduction: “At its core this book is about food’s ability to alter the world.” Just above that passage, he clarifies that this in not a book about climate change… although it really is. He’s just shifting the focus and that focus so desperately needs to be shifted.
Indeed, there is a risk that the growing crusade against global warming will continue to ignore the importance of food in the equation. I’m not saying the advancements in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and other technology that can wean us off fossil fuels are unimportant. They’re critical; but useless without a tectonic shift in the way we produce and consume food. The environmental movement in general is littered with people who fight against this or that concern - gas pipelines, coal, Trump - all the while continuing to sate themselves through the industrial food system… including plenty of vegans!
As Tickell says toward the conclusion of the book: “Our choice for the future of food therefore is not vegan versus paleo versus omnivore versus vegetarian. Rather, we must choose between a food system that honors and respects the lives of flora, fauna, planet, and people versus a system that demoralizes, dehumanizes, and destroys our biological commons.” That choice is a Regenerative Diet!
This is not some new fad diet for the foodies and social elite. In fact, just the opposite. It is the diet necessary to redress social imbalances throughout the world. The absolute primary human need is food. When people’s access to food is disrupted by poverty, desertification, lack of sovereignty, or erratic weather, or all of the above, desperation sets in. Add to this, our obsession with a consumerist lifestyle and accumulation of commodities - above all when few people are capable of maintaining it - and it can only lead to violence and mutual destruction.
The clock is ticking, and it is indeed scary how few people realize this, particularly those in power. For those of us who are gravely concerned, there is propensity to become depleted… depleted by the reality of endless fields of corn and soy throughout this country, the dominance of processed and CAFO food in restaurants and grocery stores, and a society that continues to value gadgets and hedonism above health and social concerns. But despair will never conquer the army of hopefuls. Josh Tickell is hopeful. He has reason to be. We are gaining more and more knowledge every day about what we need to do to turn things around. Read his book. Be informed. Be hopeful. Play whatever part you can… big or small.
Josh Tickell covers a lot of territory in this book. Many of these topics, from soil fertility to the woes of our Standard American Diet (SAD) have been written about with great expertise over the years. Trickell references or expands upon most of these experts… from Sir Albert Howard to Michael Pollan.
I’m a self-taught regenerative food advocate, and I’ve read volumes about the topics Tickell discusses. So I had to think hard to myself: What’s different about this book? What makes it stand out?
My answer to this has to do first with Tickell’s writing style. He has a gifted way of presenting this very serious subject matter in a fluid narrative, weaving together the variety of subtopics that are all essential to the whole exposition. I breezed through it in just a few days, compared to most books about food, health, soil, agriculture, etc., that can get fairly dry and weighty.
More importantly, the message in Kiss the Ground is momentous in its keen grasp of the most pressing issue of our time. As Tickell says in the introduction: “At its core this book is about food’s ability to alter the world.” Just above that passage, he clarifies that this in not a book about climate change… although it really is. He’s just shifting the focus and that focus so desperately needs to be shifted.
Indeed, there is a risk that the growing crusade against global warming will continue to ignore the importance of food in the equation. I’m not saying the advancements in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and other technology that can wean us off fossil fuels are unimportant. They’re critical; but useless without a tectonic shift in the way we produce and consume food. The environmental movement in general is littered with people who fight against this or that concern - gas pipelines, coal, Trump - all the while continuing to sate themselves through the industrial food system… including plenty of vegans!
As Tickell says toward the conclusion of the book: “Our choice for the future of food therefore is not vegan versus paleo versus omnivore versus vegetarian. Rather, we must choose between a food system that honors and respects the lives of flora, fauna, planet, and people versus a system that demoralizes, dehumanizes, and destroys our biological commons.” That choice is a Regenerative Diet!
This is not some new fad diet for the foodies and social elite. In fact, just the opposite. It is the diet necessary to redress social imbalances throughout the world. The absolute primary human need is food. When people’s access to food is disrupted by poverty, desertification, lack of sovereignty, or erratic weather, or all of the above, desperation sets in. Add to this, our obsession with a consumerist lifestyle and accumulation of commodities - above all when few people are capable of maintaining it - and it can only lead to violence and mutual destruction.
The clock is ticking, and it is indeed scary how few people realize this, particularly those in power. For those of us who are gravely concerned, there is propensity to become depleted… depleted by the reality of endless fields of corn and soy throughout this country, the dominance of processed and CAFO food in restaurants and grocery stores, and a society that continues to value gadgets and hedonism above health and social concerns. But despair will never conquer the army of hopefuls. Josh Tickell is hopeful. He has reason to be. We are gaining more and more knowledge every day about what we need to do to turn things around. Read his book. Be informed. Be hopeful. Play whatever part you can… big or small.
September 30, 2017
KISS THE GROUND by the great Josh Tickell (Fuel, The Big Fix, Pump, and Good Fortune) is a MUST READ for anyone that cares about our Future, The World, our Kids, and our Fellow Human Beings.
'Kiss the Ground' is an exquisite 360-degree look at our world's current agriculture, food, oxygen, and future as a humanity; all related to and based upon one of our most-precious yet underrated resources, Soil. Josh did another great job interviewing so many experts and sources first-hand and explaining in understandable detail these topics and areas in an easy to read and nicely-written pace, that anyone can fully understand and really enjoy as a weekend read.
I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone that cares about the future of our human race & species. Without proper Soil protection and implementation, our Earth's future of Oxygen, Food, and thus our Human Race, is at serious jeopardy and risk. We HAVE TO GET BACK TO NATURE as you will learn, or we will go extinct as a species with chemicals and technology. Get informed and be a part of this great enlightenment and old-knowledge that just has to be acted upon ASAP, while we still have a chance.
To quote Tickell and French Agriculture Minister Le Foll: "Intensify the NATURAL MECHANISMS in agriculture and not increase the use of machines or chemicals because we are at the end of that process. This is the only way we can feed the world. I am absolutely certain of it.”
As Einstein purportedly said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.”
To quote Maria of the great Rodale Institute: “If I was to say anything to the people working in the GMO and chemical industries it’s: Look around you. Go out in the woods and appreciate nature. Listen to nature. And do the right thing. Do the right thing for the future. Do the right thing for your kids. Do the right thing for the world. Chemicals include the fungicides and herbicides and insecticides and fertilizers that, when combined, destroy the life in the soil. And the life in the soil is what holds the carbon. And it’s what creates healthy, long-term food for all of us. So don’t f*** it up!”
EVERY FARMER SHOULD OWN THIS BOOK! And every farmer should follow Regenerative-Organic Gabe Brown Agriculture. It's all about Nutrient-dense and No-Till! ;) Famer’s can choose a Good Future or Bad Future.
We as consumers have to DEMAND Nutrient-dense Organic No-till foods, as we are really in control of the market. You have to know what a Regenerative Diet is, and demand it. To quote Tickell: "J. I. Rodale knew how healing the soil could provide humanity with healthy food, a healthy ecosystem, and the basis for long-term civilization. He experienced firsthand the power of life to create life."
You will learn about all of these things in Josh Tickell’s ‘Kiss The Ground” book. Buy it and give it as a gift to as many people as you can. Thank you Josh, Ryland, Lauren, and everyone at Kiss The Ground Foundation for always opening my eyes more and giving everyone this great sacred knowledge to live longest and healthiest.
Torrey James Ward
'Kiss the Ground' is an exquisite 360-degree look at our world's current agriculture, food, oxygen, and future as a humanity; all related to and based upon one of our most-precious yet underrated resources, Soil. Josh did another great job interviewing so many experts and sources first-hand and explaining in understandable detail these topics and areas in an easy to read and nicely-written pace, that anyone can fully understand and really enjoy as a weekend read.
I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone that cares about the future of our human race & species. Without proper Soil protection and implementation, our Earth's future of Oxygen, Food, and thus our Human Race, is at serious jeopardy and risk. We HAVE TO GET BACK TO NATURE as you will learn, or we will go extinct as a species with chemicals and technology. Get informed and be a part of this great enlightenment and old-knowledge that just has to be acted upon ASAP, while we still have a chance.
To quote Tickell and French Agriculture Minister Le Foll: "Intensify the NATURAL MECHANISMS in agriculture and not increase the use of machines or chemicals because we are at the end of that process. This is the only way we can feed the world. I am absolutely certain of it.”
As Einstein purportedly said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.”
To quote Maria of the great Rodale Institute: “If I was to say anything to the people working in the GMO and chemical industries it’s: Look around you. Go out in the woods and appreciate nature. Listen to nature. And do the right thing. Do the right thing for the future. Do the right thing for your kids. Do the right thing for the world. Chemicals include the fungicides and herbicides and insecticides and fertilizers that, when combined, destroy the life in the soil. And the life in the soil is what holds the carbon. And it’s what creates healthy, long-term food for all of us. So don’t f*** it up!”
EVERY FARMER SHOULD OWN THIS BOOK! And every farmer should follow Regenerative-Organic Gabe Brown Agriculture. It's all about Nutrient-dense and No-Till! ;) Famer’s can choose a Good Future or Bad Future.
We as consumers have to DEMAND Nutrient-dense Organic No-till foods, as we are really in control of the market. You have to know what a Regenerative Diet is, and demand it. To quote Tickell: "J. I. Rodale knew how healing the soil could provide humanity with healthy food, a healthy ecosystem, and the basis for long-term civilization. He experienced firsthand the power of life to create life."
You will learn about all of these things in Josh Tickell’s ‘Kiss The Ground” book. Buy it and give it as a gift to as many people as you can. Thank you Josh, Ryland, Lauren, and everyone at Kiss The Ground Foundation for always opening my eyes more and giving everyone this great sacred knowledge to live longest and healthiest.
Torrey James Ward
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