About the Author

Derek Richard Thomas (DRT)

Derek Richard Thomas (DRT) is on a mission to create an abundance of soil and art so humanity can flourish. His lifelong journey of healing dirt into soil activated in college when he studied horticulture and soil science. DRT is a singer, producer, songwriter & musician; he dropped out of college to follow his dreams, joined a band, traveled across the United States and Europe and even opened up for The Rolling Stones. During his time on the road, he saw soil being tilled into dust all over the country and he knew deep down he needed to help turn things around. He decided to start a music & art label called IN THE DRT Records, a community garden for artists and a lighthouse for soil. He wrote and produced the song "common ground" associated with the regenerative agriculture documentary "common ground". While he is an advocate for regenerative agriculture He is also a father trying to make the world a better place for future generations.

Contributors

Jessica Leigh Chiartas PhD

(UC Davis, RegenScore, Soil Life)

Jessica is a Project Scientist at the University of California, Davis, where her research focuses on the long-term impacts of regenerative management on soil health and ecosystem services (i.e. carbon sequestration, water use, biodiversity). She is also Co-Founder and President of RegenScore, a science-backed scoring framework to help purchasers understand where a grower is on their road to regenerative; and Founder of Soil Life an educational organization that creates graphics-based/animated media content aimed at changing the way the world looks at soil; digging into what’s dirty and calling into question what’s clean. Bringing NASA’s original mission back down to earth, Jessica is on a mission to inspire the next generation of soil explorers, for the benefit of all.

Finian Makepeace

(Co-Founder of Kiss The Ground)

Finian Makepeace is the Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of Kiss the Ground. He is a renowned presenter, media creator, and thought leader in the field of regenerative agriculture and soil health. His dedication to Kiss the Ground’s mission of “awakening people to the possibilities of regeneration”, has motivated him to develop training programs, workshops, and talks designed to empower people around the world to become confident advocates for this growing movement.

Sayuri Yamanaka

(Kalpulli Texas Quetzalcoatl, Sustainable Food Center)

Sayuri Yamanaka was born in Mexico, specifically in the central region of the Chichinautzin corridor. Active collaborator with the Central Texas Mexicah-Native American groups. Her capacities includes developing genuine connections that enable resilience in communities.  With a master's degree in Environmental Science she has 20 years of experience focus on sustainability, cultivating and facilitating community partnerships with diverse audiences. Sayuri is passionate about creating conditions conducive to life and food systems. 

Lance Ignon

(USC Price School of Public Policy)

Lance Ignon is a musician and public relations practitioner who specializes in environmental issues. He has been a consultant to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Energy Foundation, ClimateWorks Foundation, Impossible Foods and numerous other leading climate-focused organizations. He is the co-author of two peer-reviewed studies that examined various aspects of climate communication. He currently serves as Senior Associate Dean of Communication at the USC Price School of Public Policy, where he remains deeply involved in climate-related research and communication. He also plays bass in Fresh Mint Pharaohs, a neosoul, jazz and R&B band based in Los Angeles.