The Seed Media Project
Welcome! We are a team of scientists, writers, educators, and farmers focused on whole-systems landscape function, the "biotic" or "living" climate, and the regeneration of land systems. We use the term “seed media” to describe our short, shareable resources, that are being used to “seed” the widespread flowering and fruition of longer articles, films, books, policy and legislation, and educational projects. In 2025 we will be hosting conferences for journalists and other media folks where they can dive in more deeply.
We know from experience that it is possible to address a messy tangle of unfolding regional and global challenges through simple changes in land management. Our resources are focused on these opportunities that are often hidden to public view.
One example: we have the data and case studies to show that it is possible to get almost innumerable benefits (regional climate cooling, flood and drought protection, cleaner water and air, food security, public health, fewer conflicts over resources, while also creating habitat for biodiverse species) by shifting from a conventional monoculture cropping system to a cropping system that uses continual diverse plant cover.
We are just starting to upload fact sheets and overviews, mostly in the form of “living documents” (meaning they are open to comments and suggestions and being updated regularly).
We know from experience that it is possible to address a messy tangle of unfolding regional and global challenges through simple changes in land management. Our resources are focused on these opportunities that are often hidden to public view.
One example: we have the data and case studies to show that it is possible to get almost innumerable benefits (regional climate cooling, flood and drought protection, cleaner water and air, food security, public health, fewer conflicts over resources, while also creating habitat for biodiverse species) by shifting from a conventional monoculture cropping system to a cropping system that uses continual diverse plant cover.
We are just starting to upload fact sheets and overviews, mostly in the form of “living documents” (meaning they are open to comments and suggestions and being updated regularly).
If you are interested in participating in this project, as a funder, researcher,
multi-media producer, or writer, please contact us.
multi-media producer, or writer, please contact us.
Why create "seed media" and "seed media events"?
At the Land and Leadership Initiative, we receive many requests for clear, accurate, shareable information about the land-and-water based approaches to climate change and other major challenges. These requests are from people who are taking our courses, reading our longer articles, or watching our videos on YouTube. They are journalists, filmmakers, regional planners, faith groups, political candidates, farmers and ranchers, schools and universities, the United Nations and dozens of other agencies, governments, and NGOs on every continent.
Many organizations are becoming aware that healthy soil and diverse green plant cover can play a significant role in climate cooling, and in creating oases that are resilient to flooding, drought and wildfire. People are concerned that conventional farming practices are affecting our health, and the health and survival of the diverse ecosystems we are nested in.
Yet it is hard for most people to understand or explain how deeply connected these are, because academic research and public agencies have tended to be deeply siloed--studying one thing at a time, addressing one problem at a time. Because we have trouble seeing the complexity of ecosystem processes, “regeneration” is becoming greenwashed and monetized as a single solution to one problem (such as soil carbon as a commodity vs. atmospheric carbon), with money flowing to a small number of investors, in a way that misses the larger opportunities for human and natural communities to work together in ways that serve the whole.
Many organizations are becoming aware that healthy soil and diverse green plant cover can play a significant role in climate cooling, and in creating oases that are resilient to flooding, drought and wildfire. People are concerned that conventional farming practices are affecting our health, and the health and survival of the diverse ecosystems we are nested in.
Yet it is hard for most people to understand or explain how deeply connected these are, because academic research and public agencies have tended to be deeply siloed--studying one thing at a time, addressing one problem at a time. Because we have trouble seeing the complexity of ecosystem processes, “regeneration” is becoming greenwashed and monetized as a single solution to one problem (such as soil carbon as a commodity vs. atmospheric carbon), with money flowing to a small number of investors, in a way that misses the larger opportunities for human and natural communities to work together in ways that serve the whole.
Who are these materials for?
These materials are being used to drive change through many outlets:
- Farmers and food systems can use them to make a case to consumers
- Writers, journalists and filmmakers have accurate information with scientific references from which to build longer books, articles and films.
- Policy makers and public speakers have talking points to accurately bring whole-systems landscape function into public discourse and build consensus toward better land management among diverse political groups.
- NGOs can use these materials to create stronger and more scientifically grounded cases for public education campaigns.
Who is funding this initiative?
LALI’s Seed Media Project began as a volunteer initiative, because we saw something that needed to happen, and dove in. Some of our scientists are still generously volunteering their time. But for some of us, this is our full time work, that needs funding.
Our initial funding came from the No Regrets Initiative and The Sustainable Future Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation each gave us a generous grant that, together, allowed us to reach 50% of original funding goal. Additional funding has been provided by , the White River Natural Resources Conservation District of Vermont, the Fred Craves Family Foundation, the Tides Foundation, the Melanie Nasson-Kurgpold & Elmar Kurgpold Grow Love Fund, and the Sustainable Futures Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation.
The Ompompanoosuc Community Trust has been our fiscal sponsor for this project. We are hugely grateful for all of this support.
Now it’s up to you! If you want this project to continue, we are actively seeking funding for the coming year. You can make donations here and help to spread the word by sharing this page. Drop us a line through our contact page if you would like to make a larger tax-deductible contribution to this project through our fiscal sponsor.
Our aim is to raise $200,000 by January 2025. Every dollar makes a difference.
Our initial funding came from the No Regrets Initiative and The Sustainable Future Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation each gave us a generous grant that, together, allowed us to reach 50% of original funding goal. Additional funding has been provided by , the White River Natural Resources Conservation District of Vermont, the Fred Craves Family Foundation, the Tides Foundation, the Melanie Nasson-Kurgpold & Elmar Kurgpold Grow Love Fund, and the Sustainable Futures Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation.
The Ompompanoosuc Community Trust has been our fiscal sponsor for this project. We are hugely grateful for all of this support.
Now it’s up to you! If you want this project to continue, we are actively seeking funding for the coming year. You can make donations here and help to spread the word by sharing this page. Drop us a line through our contact page if you would like to make a larger tax-deductible contribution to this project through our fiscal sponsor.
Our aim is to raise $200,000 by January 2025. Every dollar makes a difference.