World Community celebrates World Food Week with a screening of the award-winning film, GROW! Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 pm in the Stan Hagen Theatre at North Island College.
Currently, the average age of farmers in North America is over 55, so it’s critical to encourage more young people to take up the plow. GROW! profiles a new crop of idealistic young farmers who have turned to the fields for a more fulfilling life, driven also by a strong desire to change how our food is grown.
There is an emerging movement of young people who are leaving the cities to take up an agrarian life. Many are college-educated, and some are unable to find jobs in the current economic slump. Not happy with what they see as a broken food system, they aim to fix some of the current shortcomings by growing and distributing food locally and in a more sustainable manner.
To start off, they often must borrow, rent or manage farmland in order to fulfill their dreams. Some begin as apprentices, working with experienced farmers to learn the basics before venturing out on their own.
GROW! takes an engaging and personal 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. They also clearly present what motivates them, and what it takes to be successful as a farmer.
The film provides inspiration to all viewers to support this new crop of local and sustainable farmers through the food choices we make every day.
Please note: Film begins at 7:30pm. Admission is by donation. Everyone is welcome. For more information: 250 337-5412