Dirt may not be the first word that comes to your mind when you think of saving the planet, but according to Dirt! The Movie, our future depends on the stuff that’s right below our feet.  The more I garden, the more I’ve come to appreciate healthy soil, teeming with life, but unfortunately over time we have not taken such good care of the ground that sustains us.   Destructive methods of agriculture, mining and urban development, have led the way towards drought, starvation, floods, and climate change.  The film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this year, takes a careful look at our complex relationship with dirt, and with the help of a variety of experts, looks for solutions to help restore this vital natural resource that we all depend on.  I’m really excited to check out the movie, and hope that it hits theaters soon.  In the meantime, check out the trailer after the jump and check out the action links below to find out what you can do to get your hands dirty (including composting!):

Photo: zappowbang’s flickr photostream (creative commons)