Farmers and Scientists building a path to solving climate change with hooves, heart and soil.

As part of the EvokeAg program of events, CarbonLink, are bringing US documentary maker Peter Byck and his 'Roots so Deep' documentary on a first-time tour of Australia. With nearly 100 million views worldwide the documentary seeks to bridge the gap between traditional and regenerative agriculture; in doing so, it's creating a movement towards sustainable farming practices viewed from both sides of the fence.

Directed by Peter Byck, a professor at Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability and Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, the film offers a unique perspective on the intersection of traditional and regenerative farming practices.

Peter will be joined by Dr. Terry McCosker OAM, a pioneer in Australian agriculture and Founder of RCS and CarbonLink, for a discussion that contextualises the film’s themes for the Australian farming landscape. Together, they’ll explore challenges, opportunities, and the resilience needed to secure a sustainable future for farming families nationwide.

The welcome and Q+A will be facilitated by Queensland Farmer's Federation CEO, Jo Sheppard.

This thought-provoking event is a must for anyone passionate about agriculture, sustainability, and the future of Australian farming.

When & Where:

Join us in person at the State Library of Queensland: this is a 'pay what you want' event, with tickets from $5.
Or, join us online from anywhere in Australia for a livestream of the event, for free.

on Wednesday 19 February, 2025
From 5.30pm - 9pm AEST.

This is a public event and everyone is welcome.

About your hosts:

Peter Byck is currently helping to lead a $10 million research project comparing Adaptive Multi-Paddock (AMP) grazing with conventional grazing; collaborating with 20 scientists and 10 farm families, focused on soil health & soil carbon storage, microbial/bug/bird biodiversity, water cycling and much more. The research also includes a new, 4-part docuseries called “Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there),” directed by Byck, which is all about the inventive farmers and maverick scientists building a path to solving climate change with hooves, heart and soil.

Byck is a professor of practice at Arizona State University, in both the School of Sustainability and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, where he teaches students to make short documentary films about sustainability solutions. He is the director, producer and writer of carbon nation, a documentary film about climate change solutions. In 2020, Byck completed carbon cowboys, a 10-part documentary short film series, focused on regenerative grazing.

Terry McCosker OAM is known as one of the great innovators in Australian agriculture, committed to bridging the divide between traditional and regenerative agriculture, and ensuring the resilience of farming families.

With over 55 years in research, extension, and property management across public and private sectors, Terry has published over 40 papers. In recognition of his contributions, Central Queensland University awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Agribusiness in March 2015, and he received an OAM in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to agriculture. Terry is a Churchill Fellow, a Fellow of the Tropical Grasslands Society, and has chaired the Australian Beef Expo, serving on numerous advisory committees.

He co-founded RCS in 1985, establishing a benchmark for capacity building in rural and regional Australia, and independently rated by a Government survey as Australia’s most trusted farming knowledge source. A pioneer in soil carbon and carbon farming, Terry founded CarbonLink in 2007, where he remains Chairman. Today, CarbonLink is Australia’s largest soil carbon project developer, managing over 250,000 hectares and having successfully project-managed 92% of soil carbon credits issued to date.

Jo Sheppard is originally from a sheep and cattle property near Cunnamulla in far SW Queensland, and has worked across a number of industries from agriculture, small business and local government to education, communications and the NFP sector developing skills in both public and private sectors. Jo operated her own business for 8 years delivering Vocational Education and Training to the agricultural industry partnering with RTO’s across Queensland and NSW. Formerly an elected councillor for 12 years including Mayor for 4 years with the Paroo Shire Council, Jo has a sound understanding of regional and remote Queensland and extensive experience in economic development and advocacy. Previously the CEO with the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, and Director – Stakeholder Engagement with the University of Southern Queensland, Jo is now the CEO with the Queensland Farmers Federation.

Jo holds a Bachelor of Business (University of Sydney), a Diploma in Executive Leadership (Oxford University), is a Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate and has held a number of board and advisory roles including previously Commissioner with the Queensland Local Government Grants Commission, a director on the board of Sunwater and currently the Chair of Eco-Markets Australia. Jo is passionate about the agricultural sector and has a special place in her heart for regional and remote Queensland.

Praise for Roots So Deep:

“What I like so much about these films is the genuine compassion and understanding shown for farmers, no matter how they farm. Peter Byck is a terrific interviewer, even of people who view the world from different perspectives. Anyone who wants to know what regenerative agriculture can do, in theory and in practice, will watch these films with pleasure and admiration for the hard work that goes into producing food.” --Marion Nestle, Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Emerita, New York University, and author of books about food politics.

“This is, hands-down, the best agriculture filmmaking I’ve ever seen. The characters are all so likable and captivating, the graphics are stunning, and I learned a ton about ecology... but none of that would matter without Peter Byck’s soul and empathy as storyteller.” --Bill Weir, CNN

Check out the trailer and tell your friends!

See you there!

Supported by our friends at RCS Australia.