The World Beneath Our Feet:The Hidden Life of Soil

The sign on the drive to FarmED tells us that, ‘it starts with the soil,’ so we’re thrilled to be celebrating the publication of this important new book - an immersive, microscopic, layer-by-layer safari tour of the strange world of soil, the precious ecosystem that is the basis for all life on Earth. Dr Frank Ashwood will be in Conversation with FarmED Co-Founder, Ian Wilkinson.

The World Beneath Our Feet

Everything that happens below ground sustains all life above it – yet we rarely think about this mysterious, dark underland. In The World Beneath Our Feet soil ecologist Frank Ashwood takes us from the ancient forests of New Zealand to the vast black soil deposits of the US and China.  

Over half of all our species exist underfoot, and just a handful of soil can contain an entire world. Without soil, there would be no life as we know it. We learn how soil makes our very existence possible, allowing us to cultivate crops as well as storing precious carbon and the water we need to survive. We marvel at soil as the Earth's fertiliser, transforming decaying matter into the birthplace of new life. The World Beneath Our Feet opens our eyes to the hidden, wondrous world of soil and invites us all to play a part in protecting it for future generations.

George Monbiot has called it ‘a thrilling and delightful book’ while Isabella Tree says it’s, ‘vital, brilliant, wholly absorbing, a masterpiece of science writing.’

About Frank Ashwood

Dr Frank Ashwood is a soil ecologist and macrophotographer, specialising in soil invertebrates. He is a Lecturer of Ecology and Entomology at Lincoln University in New Zealand and received his PhD from University of Lancashire in 2016. 

Arrivals and timing information

The FarmED bar will be open from 6pm for wine, beer and soft drinks. The talk itself will begin at 7.30pm, followed by a chance to buy a signed and dedicated copy of Frank Ashwood’s book from the Jaffé & Neale pop-up book stall.

This event is in collaboration with Jaffé & Neale Bookshop. 

Cancellation Policy

We understand that there may be times where you need to cancel your booking. Our cancellation policy is outlined here.

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