‘Prairie Prophecy’ documentary shares life, vision of KU alumnus Wes Jackson

LAWRENCE — A new documentary from Perennial Films journeys through the life of University of Kansas alumnus Wes Jackson, innovative scientist, farmer and co-founder of The Land Institute. Units at KU and the Lawrence Arts Center invite the public to a free screening of “Prairie Prophecy” at 7 p.m. Nov. 21.

The screening takes place at the Lawrence Arts Center’s 10th & Mass Studios, and seating is first come, first served.

“Prairie Prophecy” traces Jackson’s beginnings in rural Kansas to his vision of the regenerative agriculture movement. Featuring archival footage, insights from collaborators and moments from the prairie fields that inspired his life's work, the story weaves together personal passion and the urgency of preserving Earth's fragile ecosphere. 

“Wes Jackson built an entire research institution and a way of thinking based on the perennial nature of our prairies as the standard for our efforts to feed ourselves and care for the Earth. We are delighted to bring this film to Lawrence and hope that the community takes this chance to connect with each other around the screening, using it to spark new efforts to understand our prairies and ourselves,” said J. Christopher Brown, professor and associate chair in the Department of Geography & Atmospheric Science.

After the screening, Brown will lead a panel discussion with Nathaniel Brunsell, professor of geography & atmospheric science and director of the Environmental Studies Program; James Bever, Foundation Distinguished Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and senior scientist at the Kansas Biological Survey; and Lisa Grossman, local painter and printmaker of the tallgrass prairie and the Kansas River valley.

The screening is sponsored by KU’s Environmental Studies Program, the Department of Geography & Atmospheric Science, the Spencer Museum of Art and the Lawrence Arts Center.

This event is part of a series of screenings across the Great Plains promoted by the NSF-funded Research Coordination Network: Building a Community of Practice for Co-Producing Resilient Socio-Ecological Systems in Grasslands.