Growing Local points to both the vibrancy and the growing pains of the local food movement in Maine, and the uncertain fate of the farmers and farmland that keep it alive. The films are a collaboration between Maine Farmland Trust and Seedlight Pictures and debuted at the 2014 Camden International Film Festival.
This mid-length film in three parts explores the growing pains of the local food movement and the uncertain fate of the farmers and farmland that keep it alive.
While “buying local” is on the rise, these three poignant vignettes make clear that small farms and access to locally produced food are not a sure thing. In Growing Local, we meet father and son organic dairy farmers struggling with the realities of producing a commodity food product to keep their farm going and in the family, we follow an artisanal butcher who helps us understand how healthy, thoughtful meat production can be supported and sustained, and the series closes with the story of a young farm couple who, on risky sweat-equity, has revitalized a fertile piece of farmland into a thriving community food hub. These stories help us to better understand the interconnected fates of farmers and farmland, consumers and the local food movement. [NR, 45 mins.]
This screening is presented in conjunction with the installation SEED-O-MATIC, currently located at the Museum. The Colby Museum may be closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, we are bringing the Museum to you. Whether you’re looking for talks by prominent artists and scholars or fun hands-on projects to ignite the love of art in your family, you’ll find all the resources you need to engage with us right from the comfort of your own home. Visit today!
On Thursday, April 23 at 7 pm, join us for a virtual discussion with Maine Farmland Trust and some of the Maine farmers who starred in the film, to discuss the themes in the 2014 documentary and talk about the challenges farmers are facing amid the current crisis.
We encourage you to watch the film before Thursday’s talk and come with your questions about the current situation for farmers in Maine. For the best experience, we recommend either watching Growing Local on Wednesday or starting before 6 pm on Thursday so you can finish it before the 7 pm discussion.