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Director: Josh & Rebecca Tickell
Cast: Laura Dern, Jason Momoa, Donald Glover, Woody Harrelson, Rosario Dawson, Cory Booker
Awards: Tribecca Film Fest - Human/Nature Award
Join us Wednesday, October 29th at 7:00 p.m. for an uplifting documentary detailing the situation from the front-line of America’s dysfunctional food system!
Admission is FREE and open to the public – Tickets are required
This event will include a pre-show presentation by Ohio University Associate Professor Dr. David Rosenthal of the Environmental and Plant Biology Department
About the film
Common Ground is the highly anticipated sequel to the juggernaut success documentary Kiss the Ground, which touched over 1 billion people globally and inspired the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to put $20 billion toward soil health. By fusing journalistic exposé with deeply personal stories from those on the front lines of the food movement, Common Ground unveils a dark web of money, power, and politics behind our broken food system. The film reveals how unjust practices forged our current farm system in which farmers of all colors are literally dying to feed us. The film profiles a hopeful and uplifting movement of white, black, and indigenous farmers who are using alternative “regenerative” models of agriculture that could balance the climate, save our health, and stabilize America’s economy – before it’s too late.
About the speaker
David Rosenthal is an Associate Professor in the Environmental and Plant Biology department where he studies plant responses to environmental stressors. He is particularly interested in climate change impacts on plant and crop productivity. Dr. Rosenthal has studied soybean, cassava, sunflowers and sweet potato, as well as wild plant and tree responses to climate change. His crop studies began on large-scale, industrial, monoculture farms, but his interests have broadened to include addressing challenges associated with small scale, diversified, sustainable agriculture.
Dr. Rosenthal coordinates the Ohio Student Farm, where sales of produce in the Athens community support farm activities. With little operational support from the University, the farm depends on a volunteer farm manager, student workers, and interns to grow and sell produce to local businesses, at auctions, and to Ohio University culinary services. Excess produce is donated to or purchased by campus, local non-profits and community food banks. Follow the link below for more info about Dr. Rosenthal and his work:
https://www.ohio.edu/cas/rosentha
Check out the rest of our line-up of films in the Sustainability Film Series
This series was made possible thanks to the following sponsors:
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101 MIN
THE GREAT GREEN WALL chronicles the efforts of an ambitious reforestation plan striving to restore the environmental health and revitalize the economies of the region. Written and directed by Jared P Scott and produced by Oscar-nominated director Fernando Meirelles (City of God), the film follows Malian musician/activist Inna Modja as she journeys from coast-to-coast, gathering stories of resilience and self-determination by, sharing songs with, and spreading hope among the people on the Sahel’s frontline in the battle against a changing landscape.
Dr. Geoff Buckley is Professor of Geography and Interim Associate Dean in the Honors Tutorial College for Ohio Honors and 1804 Scholars. Dr. Buckley’s focus lies in the study of the environmental legacy effects of past decisions, practices, and processes: In order to make wise decisions regarding the environmental problems we face today, we must understand the complex web of human and physical processes that, over time, have contributed to their existence. Geoff is particularly interested in environmental history and historical geography; environmental justice; mining landscapes; public lands, esp. national parks; urban environments; and urban sustainability.
Dr. Morrone is a professor and coordinator of the nationally accredited Environmental Health Science program at Ohio University and the Chair of the Department of Social and Public Health. She is the author of numerous books and papers about the health impacts from environmental exposures with a specific focus on health equity and environmental justice.
Dr. Sarah C. Davis is a professor of environmental studies in the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service at Ohio University, and is an expert in ecosystem ecology and bioenergy systems. She researches system-level energy conversion efficiency, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and greenhouse gas fluxes in managed ecosystems. Her work includes assessments of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) in drought-tolerant plants, perennial grasses, and system designs for waste and fertilizer management. Dr. Davis is author of over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. She teaches courses in Ecology and Environmental Issues, Bioenergy, Environmental Science and Public Policy, and Strategies for Resilient Agriculture.
Anthony Noble is a manager at the OHIO Student Farm where he integrates his love of teaching, nature and healthy living. He has studied engineering, urban planning, permaculture, conflict resolution, herbs and many other things that have peaked his curiosity. Tony believes play and creativity are essential to understanding and pursuing regenerative agriculture.
Kristeena Blaser graduated from Ohio University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a focus on environmental, sustainability and climate change politics. She received her Master of Science in Environmental Studies from Ohio University in 2017. While attending graduate school, she worked as a graduate assistant for the Office of Sustainability at Ohio University. She also worked as a GSI technician, landscape and maintenance worker, and a research assistant for an anerobic digestion project. While also working at the on-campus recycling center and compost facility when time permitted. Since graduation, she has worked as the Sustainability Coordinator for Aramark at Kent State University within their Dining Services department, as the Sustainability Coordinator at Oklahoma State University, and since March of 2023 has served as the Director of Sustainability for the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks.
Jasmine Facun is the US Forest Service Partnership Coordinator at the Wayne National Forest, as well as a two-time Ohio University alumna with a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Conservation Biology and a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies. She enjoys roller derby, making art, and homesteading.