A quiet revolution is taking root in the windswept prairies just outside Fargo, North Dakota. It’s not just about crops or cattle, but about the land itself—and the people who steward it. The mini-documentary, “Stories of Regeneration: North Dakota” part of the larger series, Stories of Regeneration, produced by the nonprofit Kiss the Ground, has generated a bit of a groundswell since its World Soil Day release in December, nearing 600,000 views on YouTube and is already earning accolades on the film festival circuit, including the “Top of the Crop” award at the Farm to Film Festival, a semi-finalist at the Sacramento Film Festival, and a live screening spot at the New Hope Film Festival. The film tells a story both urgent and uplifting: how two lifelong friends and neighboring farmers, Chris Walberg and Tyler Zimmerman, are restoring the soil, and in doing so, redefining the future of farming and what it means to be part of a rural community.
The Roots of Regeneration: Two Farmers, One Vision
Chris Walberg and Tyler Zimmerman are not your average farmers. Walberg manages a 2,000-acre cash grain farm and 3,000 acres of pasture for his cow-calf operation near Leonard, ND. Zimmerman, farming just down the road, cultivates about 2,500 acres of grain crops, all in the heart of the southern Red River Valley. Their partnership and dedication to regeneration is the film’s heart—a testament to the power of trust, friendship, and shared purpose to revitalize the soil.
Both men grew up in Leonard, forging a friendship that would later become the foundation for their regenerative journey. “To have somebody that close, and that trustworthy… it helps drive our journey forward,” Zimmerman reflects in the film. Over the past decade, their collaboration has deepened, evolving from neighborly camaraderie to a dynamic partnership that challenges the status quo of conventional farming.
Against the Grain: Regenerating Soil, Revitalizing Community
North Dakota’s agricultural landscape is vast— over 90% of the state is farmland. In some parts of the state, nearly 50% of its topsoil has been lost to erosion and unsustainable farming practices. For Walberg and Zimmerman, this challenge has become a catalyst for innovation and hope. Their response? A bold commitment to regenerative agriculture—a suite of practices that rebuild soil health, increase biodiversity, and restore the land’s natural fertility
Their approach is as practical as it is daring. By sharing equipment, resources, and even livestock, the two farmers have created a system that benefits both of their operations. Walberg, who raises cattle, grazes his livestock on Zimmerman’s land, integrating animal impact into crop rotations, a practice that mimics the natural cycles that once shaped the prairie. In return, Zimmerman gains the soil-building benefits of livestock integration, a key pillar of regenerative farming.
The duo also experiments with polycropping by planting diverse crops like oats, peas, barley, flax, and mustard together to mimic natural ecosystems and feed the soil’s microbial life. “We’re just really trying to push the envelope and get that diversity back in the soil that needs to be there,” Zimmerman explains. This diversity not only improves soil structure and fertility, but also enhances resilience against pests, disease, and extreme weather.
Learning from the Past, Building for the Future
Regenerative agriculture is not a new idea. As Walberg notes in the film, Native American communities practiced companion planting like the “three sisters” of corn, beans, and squash long before modern agriculture took hold. The wisdom of the past is woven throughout Walberg and Zimmerman’s story, from Walberg’s memories of his grandfather’s conservation ethic to their own experiments in blending livestock and crops.
Both men are quick to credit their families and community for supporting their transition. Walberg’s father embraced no-till practices early on, and Zimmerman’s willingness to both learn from and share with neighbors helped him make the leap to regenerative methods. Their story is a reminder that change is not just about adopting new techniques, but about cultivating relationships between people—and between people and the land.
The Impact: From Local Fields to Screens
Since its release, “Stories of Regeneration: North Dakota” has resonated far beyond the fields of Leonard. The film’s nearly 600,000 YouTube views and multiple festival awards reflect a growing public interest in stories of hope and resilience. Kiss the Ground, the nonprofit behind the film, is a leading voice in the Regenerative Movement, using storytelling, education, and partnerships to inspire individuals and companies to rethink their relationship with the soil.
The success of the film itself is also a testament to the power of partnership—not just between Walberg and Zimmerman, but among the many organizations, sponsors, and viewers who have championed their story.
About Kiss the Ground: Storytelling for a Regenerative Future
Kiss the Ground is an audience-supported nonprofit dedicated to promoting regeneration and healthy soil as a viable solution for our wellness, water, and climate challenges. Since its founding in 2013, the organization has inspired millions to participate in the Regenerative Movement. The heartbeat of this movement is rooted in stories— narratives that span generations of farmers, ranchers, indigenous communities, and other groundbreakers—all working to heal the land.
Through films like “Stories of Regeneration,” Kiss the Ground seeks to bridge the gap between consumers and their food sources, building awareness around the promise of regenerative agriculture for human and planetary wellness. As CEO Evan Harrison explains, “We are committed to leading this change, turning the promise of regenerative agriculture into a reality for our collective wellbeing.” The organization’s approach is rooted in the belief that raising awareness inspires hope, which leads to action and ultimately drives real-world results.
“Our Stories of Regeneration premium series will open eyes, hearts, and mindsto regeneration as a viable solution for the wellness, climate, and water crisis—which by now, we have all felt in some way, shape, or form. Each story highlights a unique leader in the regenerative movement; while the stories are different, they all focus on working in concert with nature, doing our part to provide a better future for many generations.” – Evan Harrison, CEO of Kiss the Ground
In areas of North Dakota, 50% of topsoil has been lost.
Why This Story Matters Now
The story of Walberg and Zimmerman offers a blueprint for what’s possible when farmers work together by sharing knowledge and resources to build something greater than themselves. Their journey is more than soil health; it is about the health of rural communities, the resilience of our food system, and the hope that comes from working in harmony with nature.
Looking Ahead: A Movement Grows
As “Stories of Regeneration: North Dakota” garners attention and accolades, its impact will ripple outward. In the past 18 months, awareness of regenerative agriculture has nearly doubled from 4% to 6.8%. Personal wellness is a top concern among U.S. consumers, and more communities are recognizing the interconnectedness of soil, food, and health. In Leonard, North Dakota, two friends are proving that regeneration is not just possible–it’s already happening, one partnership at a time.
