Film: Viva El Suelo

Viva El Suelo

From Farmers to Soil Health Managers

From 2021-2025, 11 farmers based in Skagit Valley, WA designed and participated in on-farm trials of conservation practices that impact soil health including cover cropping and reduced tillage. The project, led by Viva Farms and supported by the Skagit Conservation District and Washington State University, took a holistic approach, looking at impacts on soil health of the
various practices as well as economic and social analyses affecting long-term adoption. With the support of these partners, farmers were trained on techniques to measure key soil properties and health indicators and each farm developed individual trials on their plots. All materials were translated into Spanish, and the project focused on environmental, social and economic impacts and lessons from the trials. We are excited to tell the story of the farmers adapting the practices via this 15-minute documentary by Transect Films. 

Click the four arrows in the bottom right to watch in full screen! 

The participating farms were Arado Farms, Boldly Grown Farm, Bright Thread Farm, Eldur Heron, Farias Farm, Garcia Family Farm, Moises’ Farm, Pure Nelida, Regino Farms, Silva Family Farm, and Well Fed Farms. Ten of which currently are or have previously incubated at Viva Farms. 

Thank you to Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Conservation in Innovation Grants for their support.