DOCUMENTARY | 56:10

The BSFF was a test audience for this film in 2025. Now, with the direct feedback from BSFF patrons, this important documentary returns to the BSFF screen in 2026. For example, the first cut was 90 minutes. This new version is 56 minutes. Re-engage with the documentary that the BSFF helped create. Filmmaker Q&A afterwards!

Wes Jackson, a visionary scientist, farmer, and co-founder of The Land Institute, has spent his life pioneering a bold new approach to agriculture that challenges humanity to rethink its relationship with the Earth. Jackson has inspired a global movement toward sustainability and ecological harmony through his transformative work in perennial and natural systems agriculture.

This film takes viewers on an intimate journey through Jackson's life, from his humble beginnings in rural Kansas to his transformative vision of "natural systems agriculture." Featuring rare archival footage, insights from collaborators, and powerful moments from the prairie fields that inspired his life's work, the story weaves together personal passion, scientific innovation, humor, and the urgency of preserving Earth's fragile ecosphere.

"Prairie Prophecy" is a tribute to Wes Jackson's enduring legacy and a call to action for the next generation of farmers, scientists, and environmental stewards. As climate change accelerates, Jackson's ideas remain a beacon of hope, demonstrating that sustainable solutions are not only possible but essential for the survival of life on Earth.

Director Biography - Michael "MJ" Johnson

In his 30+-year career, Michael Johnson has created various award-winning media projects, particularly documentary films, that are crafted to influence the thinking and behavior of individuals, organizations, communities, and the general public. Michael’s background in instructional systems design has taught him to approach each project to leverage media assets across as many uses as possible (e.g., fundraising, education, training, public relations, print publishing, social media, audio and video podcasting, search engine marketing, audiobooks, electronic press kits, live public presentations, museum exhibits and kiosks, and simulation-based interactive multimedia applications). His company, Perennial Films, is behind his latest documentary project, “Prairie Prophecy,” a feature-length documentary which highlights the life and life’s work of revolutionary thought-leader Wes Jackson and the organization he co-founded, The Land Institute, in Salina, Kansas. Wes Jackson is sometimes called the “most important environmentalist most people have never heard of.” Beginning with the premiere tonight, Perennial Films hopes that "Prairie Prophecy" changes that.