Ian Somerhalder has openly discussed how his decision to depart from the entertainment industry and embrace a commitment to farming profoundly altered the trajectory of his life.
The 47-year-old, who gained prominence through his roles in popular television series such as "Lost" and "The Vampire Diaries," has largely stepped back from acting in recent years. His focus has shifted towards championing regenerative agriculture, an ecological farming methodology aimed at restoring soil vitality and revitalizing ecosystems.
"It shifted my life forever," Somerhalder commented.
Earlier this month, Somerhalder's environmental documentary, "Groundswell," directed by Josh and Rebecca Tickell, premiered. "Groundswell" represents the third installment in their documentary series exploring regenerative agriculture, following "Kiss the Ground," released in 2020, and "Common Ground," which debuted in 2023.
A Transformative Journey to Africa
Following his success in Hollywood, Somerhalder encountered Allan Savory, a renowned pioneer in regenerative agriculture. Savory extended an invitation for Somerhalder to visit Zimbabwe and witness his groundbreaking work firsthand. The actor subsequently traveled to the Southern African nation with a small film crew, intending to document Savory's extensive land restoration initiatives.
While residing in military tents on Savory’s property, Somerhalder described the experience as deeply immersing him in both the natural landscape and the core tenets of regenerative agriculture.
"That's how it started, where I realized and saw firsthand how regenerative practices cannot just fix land, heal them, and rebuild them into verdant oasis, like wetlands, grasslands," he explained. "And then once I learned from Alan that grasslands have the potential to be the most enormous carbon sucks right? That's how the world used to work."
Somerhalder recalled gaining this profound understanding at a relatively young age.
"And I learned that at like 32-years-old," he added. "I got the best form of it. Living in a freaking military tent."
He vividly recounted the challenging conditions, including the side effects of malaria medication.
"And popping malaria pills, which as you know gives you most just like horrific, insane dreams and night sweats," he elaborated. "And you're dealing with that, you're getting all this amazing footage and you're learning and seeing things for the first time — like really seeing the way the world works. And seeing where we're going."
Somerhalder also recounted waking before dawn to sounds outside his tent, only to discover "huge lion prints just outside of your tent" by morning. He emphasized that these encounters were authentic, reinforcing the depth of his immersion in the environment he was documenting.
The footage Somerhalder captured during this significant trip became foundational material for the 2020 documentary "Kiss the Ground." He believes this film played a crucial role in initiating a broader global dialogue about regenerative agriculture.
"That was the film that changed all of our lives forever and ever and ever," he affirmed. "And set fire to a course that would effectively, for lack of a better word, shift and alter the course of history, agricultural history in the United States of America."
"Kiss the Ground" marked the first of three documentaries on regenerative agriculture that Somerhalder would champion. He served as an executive producer and appeared in "Common Ground," the 2023 follow-up to "Kiss the Ground." This film, also directed by Josh and Rebecca Tickell, expanded on the topic by scrutinizing the U.S. food system. Somerhalder additionally served as an executive producer for "Groundswell," the third and concluding installment in the trilogy, which premiered on June 5.
Reflecting on His Hollywood Departure
These projects signify a distinct new direction for Somerhalder, who has largely exchanged acting roles for a career in environmental advocacy. Reflecting on this significant career transition, Somerhalder acknowledged that there is only one aspect of Hollywood he genuinely misses.
"I don't miss the work," he stated. "I loved what I did. I did it for a long time. I miss the people."
Somerhalder elaborated on the unique bonds formed on production sets, comparing them to small, self-sufficient communities.
"When you're in a production — whether it's a little teeny tiny low-budget movie or a massive, massive show like 'The Vampire Diaries'... Now mind you, our budget comparatively speaking to what people have now, it was like almost nothing but we had like almost a half a million square feet of stages, we had a lot of stuff. We were our own city. We had our own water, own security, own fire, there's everything, right? So you're living in this small city with like 400 amazing humans."
"And I do miss that," he concluded.
While the camaraderie of film and television sets is something Somerhalder cherishes, he believes the industry has undergone a cultural shift since his active acting days, a change that reinforced his decision to move on.
"It's changed a great deal since I was an actor," he observed. "It's really politics became such a hotbed on these sets, and it's very divided."
He contrasted this with his earlier experiences, where unity was prevalent.
"There was no division when I was there, it was all just together and that's sort of like where humans really work their best, you know?" Somerhalder continued. "So, I'm happy I got out when I did, and I got to go do these other things that have really been so magical."
Life on the Farm and Family Values
Today, Somerhalder's daily life is markedly different from his time on the set of "The Vampire Diaries." He now spends a significant portion of his time on the farm he shares with his wife, Nikki Reed. Together, the couple has embraced a lifestyle deeply connected to nature, sustainability, and raising their family.
Somerhalder credits Reed, the 38-year-old "Twilight" star, with sharing his passion for the land from the very beginning of their relationship.
"She is an amazing human, like this earth goddess," he said of Reed. "She's a very powerful force, has become an unbelievable equestrian and taking care of managing a lot. Managing a farm is a lot, even tiny ones, right? We had a much bigger one, which is really insane. And now just finding the proper management on that — that helps big time."
He fondly recalled their early days together on their property in Georgia.
"But from the very beginning, I had 1,200 acres in Georgia," Somerhalder continued. "And I think the first three years we were together — I have it written down this cute little book of memories — but I think we spent 125 days in the Airstream on our land."
Reflecting on these experiences, he noted:
"Out of whatever, you know, 500 plus days, right? It's a lot. So it was always that. And I have so many pictures of us and the dogs. Being just half-naked for days on end in the middle of nowhere, grounding, connecting to the land. And that, I think, is where people really want to go."
Somerhalder emphasized that building a life on the farm with Reed, with whom he shares two children, has also profoundly influenced their approach to raising their family.
"Family is about being present," he asserted. "Family is going back to nature and being present. It is hard right now for people to put these things down. It's hard. And I think it's starting to change now. People are realizing, 'Whoa, whoa whoa whoa, I need to be way more connected.'"
He sees this desire for connection as a fundamental human need.
"This is a natural cycle for human beings to want to connect more with the earth," he continued. "So that feeds into what? Regenerative agriculture, human health, that's families coming together and grounding themselves to the earth and getting whatever sunlight they can, changing their practices to start taking plastics out of their home and out of the gardens and reconnecting. So this is all very, very powerful and positive."
An Optimistic Outlook for the Future
Despite prevalent concerns, Somerhalder maintains a hopeful perspective on the current generation and the future.
"The children of this generation, everyone thinks they're doomed," Somerhalder remarked. "The children of this generation are beyond lucky at this point, which is great."
He acknowledged contemporary challenges but expressed confidence in humanity's ability to adapt and restore balance.
"Sure, they're sucked up in social media and video games and the world's a little topsy-turvy right now," he conceded. "It will find equilibrium. And once we rebuild the ground that we stand on, everything will follow suit."
Somerhalder concluded with an optimistic vision for what lies ahead.
"The future is bright," he declared. "Get your cheap sunglasses."