Grow! 2011
Distributed by The Video Project, PO Box 411376, San Francisco, CA 94141-1376; 800-475-2638
Produced by Christine Anthony and Owen Masterson
Directed by Christine Anthony and Owen Masterson
DVD, color, 50 min.
Sr. High - General Adult
Agriculture, Food, Gardening, Environmental Studies
Date Entered: 03/01/2012
Reviewed by Barb Bergman, Minnesota State University, MankatoGrow! follows 20 idealistic young farmers throughout a growing season on several different Georgia farms. Most have little if any experience with rural life, much less an agricultural background. All demonstrate an enthusiasm for supporting a healthy, sustainable food system.
Because the purchase of farmland is a huge investment, especially for those with no previous agricultural experience, most of these young farmers work as apprentices to a mentor farmer who owns more land than he cares to farm anymore. Some work a portion of their family’s land.
All of the interviewees are focused on growing produce – fruits and vegetables – to be sold at farmer’s markets and through CSA subscriptions. Thus, it does not deal with issues of large scale operations of livestock or commodity crops such as of corn or soybeans. The film does balance some of the environmental idealism by including conversations about some of the compromises that need to be made to make sure they are able to generate enough income to live on.
Good production values. An all-around pleasant film to watch. Recommended for discussions about the future of agriculture, organics foods, and environmental issues in general. Grow! is a good addition to discussions about our food supply, covering different aspects of the issue than Food, Inc. (2009) and Fresh.