FREE COMMUNITY SCREENING
Farm Film Festival, presented annually by the Crandell Theatre in collaboration with the Chatham Agricultural Partnership (CAP) and the Columbia Land Conservancy, focuses on farms, farming, and farming issues. The 2023 program, “New York State of Farming,” will include a juried selection of short films made by professional and up-and-coming filmmakers.
New York State is home to over 33,000 family farms producing some of the world’s best food and beverages…and $4.8 billion in revenue. The 15th annual Farm Film Festival will explore the state’s farming diversity with a 75-minute program of juried short films followed by a panel of experts from area farms, the Columbia Land Conservancy and the NY Farm Bureau. Moderated by Troy Weldy, President, Columbia Land Conservancy, the panel includes Terence Duvall, Conservation and Agricultural Projects Associate at the Columbia Land Conservancy, Eric Ooms, Vice President of the NY Farm Bureau, and Sarah Chase, of Chaseholm Farms.
Films
How 7.1 Million Acres of Farmland in New York are Harvested
Filmmaker: Tony 98 – Discovery
New York is one of the states with a fairly developed agricultural industry with about 7.1 million acres of land used for farming and livestock. Famous agricultural products of our state are milk, cattle, calves, corn, and many other fruits. According to statistics in 2021, in New York, there are about 33,600 farms and 753 farmers’ markets in operation. Run time: 7:31
Little Farmhouse Flowers
Filmmaker: Farmers Friend*
Experience the beautiful life Linda and her family enjoy at Little Farmhouse Flowers in the Adirondacks of upstate New York. Learn how Linda went from being a teacher to a full-time flower farmer in just a matter of weeks, how she integrates her family into the farm, her favorite flower varieties, growing secrets, and more all in this episode of the short film series “The Good Life.” Run time: 8:44
Grow Hemp NY
Filmmaker: TrueMotion Films
A six-generation farm, founded during the Gold Rush in the 1840s, converts from haying to growing hemp. Run time: 8:10
Dirt Stories
Filmmaker: Heather Phelps-Lipton
Four New York farmers discuss their approach to sustainable and regenerative farming: Emily Eder (Great Song Farm, Redhook); Jennifer Phillips (Gansvoort Farm, Germantown); Tianna Kennedy (Star Route Farm, Charlottesville); and Rebecca Yoshino (Bard Farm, Annandale-on-Hudson). Run time: 7:23
Our Farms, Our Farmers
Filmmakers: Murphy Birdsall & Keith Reamer
A production of the Pine Plains Historical Society. While it profiles farms in Dutchess County, it could have been made in Columbia County as both areas have transitioned from commodity dairy farming to other types of agriculture. Run time: 22:00
Building a Brighter Future with Young Farmers
Filmmaker: Oceans 8 Films
The National Young Farmers Coalition is a grassroots network of young farmers and ranchers working for a brighter, more equitable future for farming in the United States. This film explores the challenges young farmers face, and the solutions they’re leading in 2020. Run time: 7:06
In Her Field
Filmmaker: Jennie Thomas
Erin Bullock is the owner and operator of Wild Hill Farm in Ionia, N.Y. She has been a farmer in Upstate New York for over a decade and has earned a reputation as a strong leader and a good farmer. Because of her lack of female role models when she first got into farming, Bullock acts as a mentor and educator to many young women looking to enter the world of agriculture. “In Her Field” was the filmmaker’s senior thesis at RIT. Run time: 8:15
Project Eats
Filmmaker: Farmers Friend*
Born out of the 2008 financial crisis, Project Eats is pioneering a revolutionary farm-centric food system right in the heart of New York City! With around half a dozen in-ground and rooftop farms in 4 of New York City’s 5 boroughs, Project Eats is making fresh, nutrient-dense veggies available to underserved communities throughout the city.
Run time: 8:58
Beekeeping in New York
Filmmaker: South China Morning Post
Influenced by his father, Andrew Coté started to learn beekeeping at 10 years old. 40+ years later, he is a professional beekeeper with over 100 beehives in NYC. Some are near Times Square, others are on Manhattan rooftops. “We get a lot of complaints,” he said. “But usually we can smooth them over with a little jar of honey or a few sweet words, because we don’t want our bees to be a source of discomfort to anyone.” Run time: 4:55
A “Meet Your Farmer” gathering will be held after the panel at the People’s Pub on Main Street, Chatham.
Open to the entire community, the program is free to the public. We encourage patrons to bring voluntary donations for the local food pantry.