Envision the Future of Farming with FREE Film Screening

Down to Earth Markets is excited to collaborate with community partners to bring the Grow Local Film Series to Ossining. This FREE series features independently-produced films, both shorts and feature-length that explore farmland access, rural livelihoods, and the sustainability of people and place. We’ll host a film and an open discussion once a month, from January-April this year. All screenings will be held in our office: 173 Main Street, 3rd Floor, in Ossining.

The first screening is on Thursday, January 14th at 6:30 pm and entitled, Future Farmers in the Spotlight. This work was created by a Dutch couple who traveled throughout Europe to meet inspiring beginning farmers. As we tour the various countries through their lens, we’ll learn about the new farmers’ approach to a range of topics – from financing a farm to the value of selling direct-to-consumer (like at the farmers market!). The evening will be an international perspective on local farming. Through hearing from innovators from across the ocean, we’ll share a launching point for a group conversation about the future of farming here in the Hudson Valley.

During the evening, we’ll draw from the experience of two local farmers with Down to Earth Markets in the discussion. We’ll welcome:

• Scott Hill of The Orchards of Concklin: Scott has 30+ years of experience in farming in Rockland County, New York. He began managing the farm after his graduation from Cornell University in 1991, and became a partner in the business in 2003. Nearly three centuries earlier, in 1712, Nicholas Concklin started the farm on 400 acres. Today the land has been farmed continuously through the American Revolution and the Civil War, evolving from a dairy farm to a poultry farm, and finally to the orchard that thrives now.

• Chris Harmon from Sunset View Farm: Chris began farming after an extensive career in environmental advocacy. For years, he worked at The Nature Conservancy, and then became the Executive Director of CADE (the Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship) in the Hudson Valley. He has also served as Town Supervisor for Milford, New York, home to both the Harmon family and Sunset View Farm. Chris loves physical work outside and providing hands-on opportunities for his family to experience the life cycles of the farm.
  

Afterwards, join the screening group for dinner at nearby Keenan House in Ossining. Mention the screening and receive 10% off your meal!

AND the Ossining Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 9am-1pm. Find us outdoors at the corner of Spring and Main Streets - see you there!