57 minutes
(In 2 parts on one videocassette for classroom use:
Part 1- 34 mins., Part 2- 23 mins.)
Grades 7-Adult
A film by Miranda Smith
An emotionally charged documentary about the use and misuse of
technology on the American farm. In less than fifty years the
face of agriculture has been utterly transformed by synthetic
chemicals which have had a serious impact on the environment
and on the health of farm families. This film tells the story
of two farmers, different in all details, yet united by their
common goal of producing healthy food.
One of the farmers is the father of the filmmaker. Herbert
Smith was a hero of his age: dedicated, innovative, a champion
of the new miracle sprays of the 50s. His fate is the heart
of this film.
The other, Fred Kirschenmann of North Dakota, is a hero for
our age. Faced with a shattered economy and the devastating
environmental effects of conventional chemical farming, Fred
steered his land through the transition to organic farming.
Twenty years later, the Kirschenmann farm is a thriving
testament to ingenuity, hard work, and a reverent
understanding of nature.Fred proves that sustainable
agriculture is a viable alternative on any sized farm and that
we can bring health and beauty back to the Garden.
Awards: Silver Plaque, Chicago International Film Festival;
Denver International Film Festival
- "For the past 25 years I have searched high and low for a
film that captures all of the elements of the crisis and
promise of agriculture and now I have found it...it is
one of the most respectful and honest looks at the current
situation that many farmers find themselves in, and the
positive ways that some ...are recreating the future."
- "If they (other countries)see the devastating results (of
industrialized agriculture) and also the energy and wisdom of
new paths that are shown in the film, we could save all of
humanity a great deal of suffering and perhaps even its
future." Mark Ritchie, Exec. Dir., Institute for Agriculture
and Trade Policy
SOCIAL STUDIES, AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT, FAMILY HISTORY
ISBN: 1-56029-636-4
For more information, contact Miranda Productions, Inc.
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