CarbonLink presents 'Roots so Deep' in Australia: Screening + Live Q&A - National Sustainability Festival, Melbourne

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

As part of the National Sustainability Festival 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 Sustainable Table CEO, Jade Miles. 

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 ACMI, Federation Square.

Monday 10 February 2025, at 5.30pm.

This is a 'pay what you want' event, with tickets from $5.

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.

Jade Miles is a passionate advocate for regenerative living, local food systems, and community connection. As the founder of the Beechworth Food Coop and North East Local Food Strategy, she has spent over a decade driving change across Australia. Jade runs Black Barn Farm, a biodiverse orchard, nursery, and workshop space in Northeast Victoria, where she and her family host programs, workshops, and events to reconnect people with nature, food, and simpler living.

The creator of the Futuresteading podcast, now spanning 11 seasons with 180 episodes, Jade is also an author. Her second book, Huddle, is set for release in April 2025. As CEO of Sustainable Table, Jade has transformed the organisation into a national leader in regenerative farming, food, and fibre systems, championing collaboration, education, and change.

With a background in conservation, strategic development, and hands-on farming, Jade combines storytelling, advocacy, and action to inspire others to make regenerative choices for the planet and future generations.

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!