The Biggest Little Farm - documentary film in theaters

[blue_dolphin]

Last week, I saw The Biggest Little Farm, a documentary film about a local farm here in Ventura County, Apricot Lane Farms.  Has anyone else seen it?  Some sections are a bit cute, particularly in the beginning, but both the photography and the story of returning vitality to the soil make it worth a watch, in my opinion.  

 

It's produced and directed by John Chester, who was a cameraman and filmmaker before he and his wife Molly bought a property in Moorpark, CA in 2011 that had been conventionally farmed lemon and avocado orchards and horse stables and, under the guidance of biodynamic consultant Alan York, began turning it into a biodiverse farm with stone fruit, citrus, avocados, and strawberries as well as chickens, sheep, ducks, cattle, and pigs.  Chester began making short films about the farm (see them here) for Oprah's Super Soul Sundays and eventually decided to make a full length documentary.  This article (Why Breakout Documentary ‘The Biggest Little Farm’ Didn’t Sell to Netflix, from Poop to Nuts) says that an individual investor funded the filming to the tune of $1 million. The film made the round of film festivals last year and is being shown fairly widely in theaters.

 

Apricot Lane Farms sells at my local farmers market and I've purchased lamb, pork and other products from them.  Their booth is usually staffed by some of the enthusiastic young people who work at the farm to learn about biodynamic agriculture.  I'm impressed with what they've done in 8 years.

[kayb]

Haven't seen it, but you can watch the trailer and pre-order as a YouTube Movie (who knew there was such a thing?) here.

 

[blue_dolphin]

The documentary film I mentioned above, The Biggest Little Farm about a local business, Apricot Lane Farm, is now available on Hulu.