About the Film
America built a religion around the lawn. For centuries it has symbolized success, shaping the American dream one neatly trimmed blade at a time. But as climate pressures mount, something is shifting. Today a $60 billion industry and a growing counter-movement are engaged in a genuine turf war.
With humor as its fertilizer, One Nation Under Sod follows the loyalists, who tend their lawns with an almost spiritual devotion, and the heretics, a growing movement replacing grass with something wilder. Woven through their stories are scientists and ecologists who put it all in context, because it turns out what's happening in our front yards is connected to something much larger.
This film doesn't take sides. It grabs a shovel and digs into the question we somehow never think to ask: what do our yards say about us?
Help us grow this film
This is an independent documentary made possible by people who believe this story needs to be told. If that's you, we'd love your support.
Meet the
Characters
The Lawnfluencer
PJ has built a devoted social media following around her love of turf. As a queer, Black woman redefining who lawn culture is for, she’s not just growing grass. She’s growing community. Check out her channel: GirlzLawn.
The HOA Rebel
Melinda is fighting her HOA for the right to grow something other than turf. She measures her lawn to stay just inside the rules and keeps the location of her pollinator garden strictly confidential.
The Ripper Upper
Jessie is a self-proclaimed anti-capitalist with a punk-rock ethic. As founder of Undoing Ruin, he’s on a mission to challenge the turf industry and replace grass with native habitat.
The In-Lawns
Chris inherited his love of grass from his “father-in-lawn,” Melvin–a man with zero tolerance for weeds. Together, they fertilize around the kids’ naptimes, chasing the dream of a backyard putting green.
The Lawn Ranger
Tom is expanding his 20,000-square-foot lawn for one simple reason: more grass to mow. His riding mower is his therapy. But as moles invade his striped masterpiece, that control is starting to slip.
The Pollinator Whisperer
Nathalie has transformed her yard into a thriving mosaic of native and edible plants. But even as she plants more, she’s finding fewer and fewer pollinators visiting her garden.
Make your tax-deductible donation
This independent documentary is a labor of love slated to hit festivals in 2027. Like any good garden, it needs steady care.
(Thankfully, you can skip the sprinkler and just click a button.)
Homegrown National Park is serving as an Impact Partner on the film and can accept tax-deductible donations on its behalf.
Your support helps us:
Film lawn lovers, lawn rebels, and everyone in between
Shape the story through editing and post-production
Launch a nationwide screening + impact campaign
Partner with schools, HOAs, and conservation groups
Every dollar brings this film and its message of connection and curiosity to yards nationwide.
