biggest little farm movie

Just saw the movie "Biggest Little Farm. I highly recommend it. It was interesting to see the learning process and the lessons learned, all without being preachy . This is a good film to help the general public gain an understanding permaculture and how the whole picture should work. So if it comes to your area go see it and take a non-believer with you.

Thanks J, that looks really interesting!

I am traveling and found myself with a free night in a city where it is still playing.
I really enjoyed it, it is indeed a good intro to what many of us are trying to do. It was really remarkable for the film work, I am assuming that the guy (saw it last night and already forgot their names. I`m not good with media stuff!) was in charge of the filming, as in his pre-farm career he worked with nature films. I thought it was really refreshing in an artistic way, since there were none of the "stock shots" you would expect from a movie about a family living on a farm (we never once saw a barn, and only what, once inside the farmhouse), it was all out on the land, staking out the owls, coyotes, etc. So beautiful.

The only negative I can report is that as a permie-farm type I kept wanting them to WAIT STOP I WANT TO SEE HOW HE MADE THAT BLUEBERRY FENCING! Hang on, show me more details about that worm compost thing. Where can I find a list of those 75 fruit tree varieties? I haven`t yet stalked their website but hope to get more info, since I`m always looking for other people`s ideas to apply to my farm (and save me work).

This video is pretty and tells a story about the dreams and lifestyle that these people desired for themselves. Its interesting to watch how they learned to 'farm' getting in step with nature.

However . . .

Substance of reality is missing. The cost of the - then - burnt out land and development is just too glossed over. This was NOT a cheap, DIY labor of love. And while the 'guru' of this enterprise never had his background and achievements provided, its apparent that this couple relied almost solely on that man's guidance. Not to mention no hint at the P&L reality of this 'farm.

If this inspires you - fine. However the real heros of natural farming - Joel Salatin being one - know that any viable business does not start with, nor continue to operate on debt, or in this case someone else's deep pocket$.

The LA LA land background of these people comes thru loud and clear. A delightful fantasy that this couple gets to live. Good luck to any others that think they will do likewise.

I am pretty sure it was discussed in a recent podcast with Paul and Julia winters. Paul guessed the total cost of the farm at $20 million. There was speculation of big money in the shadows, with oprah winfrey being a guess.

wayne fajkus wrote:I am pretty sure it was discussed in a recent podcast with Paul and Julia winters. Paul guessed the total cost of the farm at $20 million. There was speculation of big money in the shadows, with oprah winfrey being a guess.

Thanks Wayne for this insight. It does not surprise me one bit. There is so much 'big money' sloshing around that those with it are trying to get that stash working in ways they think will 'support' them. In the end, its not really about money, but about who is willing to do the WORK and the ability to take the goods to market. Much as agriculture is a necessary part of (human) life, its all driven by 'stored' (aka fuel) energy. Ponder that and try not to come up with a very potential train wreck racing down the tracks.