I had intended to write today about beautiful Seabreeze Organic farm in San Diego, then I realized that tonight was the opening night of the Santa Cruz Film Festival. Two films were scheduled: an 18-minute short called "Freaks Like Me," and an 83-minute documentary about a farmer in Caledonia, Illinois called "The Real Dirt on Farmer John." I had heard about this film only a short time ago (thanks to Squeat Mungry, as he's known at one of the food communities I frequent), and got myself in gear to attend.
I thought I'd see every farmer I knew there, but apparently the SC Film Festival doesn't have enough resources to have tapped into the farming and CSA community here in town. Had I known, I would have been happy to spread the word--the theater was crowded but nowhere near full.
While waiting in line with ticket in hand, I spotted Jerry and Jean Thomas and let them cut into line with me. Hey, farmers to the front, I say. We also saw Thom Broz, from Live Earth Farm, and I am embarrassed that I've been pronouncing his last name wrong all these months. (It rhymes with "rose.") It was nice at the end of the film for farmer John Peterson (the star) to ask who in the audience were CSA farmers, and who in the audience belonged to a CSA.
You'll just need to read more on the Angelic Organics website about the film. I was intrigued because it was about an organic farmer -- he's actually biodynamic, and the parts about his growing interest in biodynamic farming, and healing the land, and the glorious and beautiful crops that followed his commitment to the earth were dazzling and inspiring. He's a free spirit with an organized soul, and a deep work ethic. No surprise there: farmers work so hard.
[Reading the FAQ on the film, this is my favorite: Does Farmer John farm in those funny costumes? Mostly in his imagination.]
Because of his own interest in the arts, acquired when he went off to college for the first time, John Peterson was fortunate to have a lifelong relationship with a live camera. His mother, whose bright spirit and sweet smile are constant in the film, bought an 8mm camera when her children were quite young, and much of Farmer John's youth shows up in her lens. He met Taggart Siegel (the film's director/producer) in 1979, and Siegel filmed Peterson for over two decades. The past and present footage are integrated beautifully, and the film is like an animated family album.
Also from the FAQ, this interesting item: "[John] is looking for an experienced machinery person to take over his equipment operation on the farm so he can devote himself more to all the film demands. He’s got ads in most of the organic farm publications for a replacement to run his equipment for him." If you are interested, you can go to www.AngelicOrganics.com and learn more.
It's coming to Seattle soon...
Go. Go if you can. The former 360-acre family farm that John Peterson nearly lost completely now supports over 1200 families in its CSA. It's a beacon and a brilliant star, and bless his heart for doing as he's done.
What a beautiful blog. I will definitely watch for the film. Thank you!
Posted by: patry Francis | 06 May 2005 at 11:47 AM
Thank you, Patry, for the kind words. (I tried to click through on your link, but it didn't work. If you want to post the correct one, please do so people can find your site, too.)
I'm happy because someone I know told me someone he knows has a copy of the film. I am going to be able to see it again!
Posted by: Tana | 07 May 2005 at 10:20 PM
The film will air nationally on the PBS series INDEPENDENT LENS on Tuesday, June 13th at 10PM (check local listings or the website -- http://www.pbs.org/realdirtonfarmerjohn.)
Posted by: Mary Lugo | 11 May 2006 at 12:42 PM
Oops - here's the correct website for info on the PBS broadcast:
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/realdirt/
Posted by: Mary Lugo | 11 May 2006 at 12:44 PM