''Common Ground'' is a 2023 documentary film about ethical
regenerative farming
Regenerative agriculture is a conservation and rehabilitation approach to food and farming systems. It focuses on topsoil regeneration, increasing biodiversity, improving the water cycle, enhancing ecosystem services, supporting biosequestration ...
. It features
Laura Dern
Laura Elizabeth Dern (born February 10, 1967) is an American actress. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and five Golden Globe Awards.
Born ...
,
Jason Momoa
Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa (; born August 1, 1979) is an American actor. He made his acting debut as Jason Ioane on the syndicated action drama series '' Baywatch: Hawaii'' (1999–2001), which was followed by portrayals of Ronon Dex on the ...
,
Donald Glover
Donald McKinley Glover Jr. (; born September 25, 1983), also known by his musical stage name Childish Gambino (), is an American actor, comedian, musician, and filmmaker. While he studied at New York University and after working in Derrick ...
,
Woody Harrelson
Woodrow Tracy Harrelson (born July 23, 1961) is an American actor. He first became known for his role as bartender Woody Boyd on the NBC sitcom ''Cheers'' (1985–1993), for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in ...
and
Rosario Dawson
Rosario Isabel Dawson (born May 9, 1979) is an American actress. She made her feature-film debut in the 1995 independent drama '' Kids''. Her subsequent film roles include '' He Got Game'' (1998), '' Josie and the Pussycats'' (2001), ''Men in B ...
. It was directed by
Joshua Tickell and
Rebecca Harrell Tickell.
In January 2025, it was acquired by
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video, known simply as Prime Video, is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming television service owned by Amazon. The service primarily distributes films and television series produced or co-produced by ...
and it appeared on the streaming service on the following
Earth Day
Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally through earthday.org (formerly Earth Day Network) includin ...
, April 22nd.
Criticisms
The documentaries faced criticism by Vox author Kenny Torrella for promoting regenerative agriculture with claims described as overly simplistic, scientifically dubious, and akin to "magical thinking".
The critique notes that the films lack skeptical perspectives, ignore complex agricultural tradeoffs, and present a "nostalgic utopianism." Specific claims, such as the world having only "60 harvests remaining" or that improved soil health clearly leads to healthier humans, are presented as misleading or lacking clear scientific consensus.
The central assertion that regenerative agriculture can sequester enough carbon to solve the climate crisis is deemed "highly improbable" by Torrella who points to the lack of accurate carbon measurement tools, doubts about the sequestration effectiveness and permanence (especially concerning no-till farming), and diminishing sequestration rates over time. The film ignores significant drawback: regenerative practices, particularly grass-finished cattle, require substantially more land than conventional methods. Finally, the documentary is faulted for omitting expert consensus on more effective climate solutions for agriculture, such as reducing meat and dairy production, and for promoting regenerative agriculture as a simple fix that potentially crowds out more evidence-based approaches.
See also
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References
External links
*
2023 documentary films
2023 films
Documentary films about agriculture in the United States
Sustainable agriculture
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