“The Greenhorns,” a movie about taking back the land
If you’ve got a little spring fever and are looking forward to getting a little dirt under your fingernails the Ojai Valley Green Coalition has a film for you, “The Greenhorns.” The screening, at the Ojai Playhouse March 26 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., will inspire you as it explores “the lives of America's young farming community - its spirit, practices, and needs.”
“We use the terms 'greenhorn' and 'young farmer' interchangeably to refer to any farmer 57 years old or fresher,” says Sevreine von Tscharner Fleming, the film’s director, about her film subjects. “Many thousands of growers from all kinds of backgrounds and demographics fall into this category.”
The film shines a spotlight on the greenhorn farm movement hoping to ignite a groundswell, drawing audiences back to the land.
“This is America and it takes all kinds,” says Fleming explaining her campaign. “All over the country we have met enterprising, hopeful greenhorns: descendents of family dairies, punky inner-city gardeners, homesteaders, radical Christians, anarcho-activists, ex-suburbanites, graduates with biological science degrees, ex-teachers, ex-poets, ex-cowboys…In foothills, warehouses, back valleys, and vacant lots they are popping up as we reclaim human spaces in the broad lazerland of Monoculture that has engulfed rural America.”
Fleming founded her nonprofit Greenhorn organization in Berkeley in 2007 and by 2008 the Greenhorns were based on leased land in New York's Hudson Valley, growing and raising organic veggies, herbs, flowers, Muscovy ducks, chickens, rabbits and Tamworth pigs. With this film Fleming wants to broadcast the success stories of young farmers.
“We can build the case for those considering a career in agriculture,” says Fleming, “to embolden them, to entice them, and to recruit them into farming.”
The film is only part of the nonprofit’s larger campaign for agricultural reform and its website urges political involvement as well to recruit, promote and support a new generation of young farmers. Their network of young farmers numbers over 3000 coast-to-coast.
“The news is in from urban, suburban and rural districts alike,” said Fleming. “America wants more young farmers and more young farmers want a piece of America.”
Please join us for the film, sponsored by Nutiva, at the Ojai Playhouse, 145 E. Ojai Ave. Stay after for a short preview of “A Greater Mission,” which explores the emerging trend of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who are becoming organic farmers, both to recover from the trauma of combat and to find a positive new mission -- food security for our nation. We’ll also have a short sharing with local young farmers and Mission director, Dulanie Ellis. There is a suggested donation of $10 at the door.
Download the event flyer HERE...
