GROW!, a new documentary about young sustainable farmers in Georgia, will have its Middle Georgia premiere at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20, during a local food dinner at the Cox Capitol Theatre, 382 Second St. in downtown Macon. The event is presented by Community Health Works and is hosted by Macon Roots. Tickets are $20 tickets are $20 per person/$18 for Macon Roots members.
Preorder your tickets here (and help us plan for the meal)! http://www.coxcapitoltheatre.com/2011/07/community-health-works-presents-dinner-a-movie-grow/
The evening will include a local food dinner, a showing of the film and discussion with the filmmakers and farmers in the movie. The proceeds from the event benefit the Mulberry Street Market, Macon Roots’ urban farm project and the Cox Capitol Theatre.
“We’re excited that the filmmakers have agreed to work with us to bring this amazing film to Macon,” said Mark Vanderhoek, founder and board chair for Macon Roots. “Not only will people learn about the new crop of sustainable farmers in Georgia and be energized by the film’s message, they’ll also be helping to grow Middle Georgia’s local food system in the process.”
The filmmakers, husband and wife team Christine Anthony and Owen Masterson, spent a year filming at 12 sustainable farms in Georgia and will offer their insights on the film. There will also be several farmers who appeared in the film who will participate in the post-screening discussion.
“When we set out to make our documentary, GROW! we had some very specific goals in mind: to inspire young people to consider farming as a viable career choice and to encourage people with the resources to provide opportunities and land for young farmers to grow on,” the duo said. “We hope people will be inspired to help change current laws that are unfair to small, sustainable farmers. And last, but not least, we hope that GROW! will inspire others to make changes in their lives; the way they eat, shop and cook and to think about where their food comes from and who grows it. We are excited to join with Macon Roots to bring this message to Middle Georgia.”
About the film:
GROW! an Anthony-Masterson film, is about young farmers in Georgia. The new 50-minute documentary captures the energy and independence of a fresh crop of young farmers who have turned to the fields for a fulfilling life.
It’s not just “Old MacDonald” on the farm anymore. All across the U.S. there is a growing movement of educated young people who are leaving the cities to take up an agrarian life. Armed with college degrees, some are unable to find jobs in the current economic slump. Fed up with corporate America and its influence on a broken food system, they aim to solve some of the current system’s inequities by growing clean, fair food. Mostly landless, they borrow, rent or manage farmland in order to fulfill their dreams of doing something meaningful with their lives.
GROW! takes a look at this new generation of sustainable farmers through the eyes, hearts and minds of 20 passionate, idealistic and fiercely independent young growers. In the film they speak of both the joys and the challenges involved in tending the land. Filmed on 12 farms throughout the state of Georgia during an entire growing season, GROW! provides an honest and inspiring look at this next generation of farmers.
About Community Health Works
Community Health Works is a non-profit, community-based health organization based in the city of Macon and serving all of Central Georgia. For more information in regards to Community Health Works, please visit chwg.org or call (478) 254-5200.
About Macon Roots
Macon Roots is non-profit established in 2010 to promote a sustainable food system in Macon and Middle Georgia by celebrating the local food cultures, supporting food and garden education programs, creating networking opportunities in the local food system, and increasing availability of locally grown food for all Middle Georgians. For more on the organization, go to maconroots.org.
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