From Seed to Seed (2018)

In Southern Manitoba, Terry and Monique are pouring their hearts into a small, ecological farm. They gave up their careers as opera singers in Europe to pursue their passion for agriculture and to build a local food community in the heart of Canada. We follow their young family and a select group of farmers and scientists through a challenging season.

These stewards - in love with the land - blend ancient traditions and cutting edge science to grow food ecologically while struggling with the extreme weather events caused by a changing climate. Depicting large as well as small operations, the film shows what farmers are up against, and how determined many are to adopt environmentally responsible strategies, despite the seductive conveniences of modern agricultural practices. Through one setback after another, the film's subjects display tenacity, endurance, humour and a sustaining dedication to family and community. Dr. Martin Entz, a plant scientist and leading researcher of Organic Agriculture, University of Manitoba, is working with all of the farmers who are participating in this film. Entz also spearheads the Participatory Plant Breeding Program and works with farmers across Canada to put seed breeding back into the hands of farmers. Farmers select seeds that are best suited for organic crop production and grow best under their local soil and climate conditions. While this program develops local seed resilience, it also increases Canadian seed and food security. Ian Grossart, Howpark Farms, and Wayne Rempel, CEO of Poplar Grove/Kroeker Farms, both prove that organic agriculture - while requiring long-term, sophisticated strategies - is a viable option for food production on any scale and over time. Jonah Langelotz, 23, from a non-farming, urban background, wants to become a farmer and represents a new generation with an interest in hands-on, experiential learning about ecological agriculture. Andrew Granger, a conventional farmer, is motivated to transition to organic agriculture by his concerns over negative impacts on human- and soil health by the ubiquitous, toxic herbicide, "Round-up"/Glyphosate. He feels trapped by a system that has farmers "hooked" on "agro-chemical farming" to make a living. Activist, Dr. Vandana Shiva, defends farmers' rights to seed, and climate scientist, Dr. Ian Mauro, addresses issues related to farming in a changing Climate. Consumers express their preference for organic food and processors discuss how this increased demand drives the momentum in ecological agriculture. While Farmers' average ages are increasing toward retirement-age, their numbers on the Canadian landscape have dramatically decreased over the past decades and rural communities are literally dying. As society becomes more removed from the source of their food, this film cultivates appreciation and support for local farmers who grow our food and care for our land and environment. It informs about the knowledge, skill, investment, risk and hard work required to farm, and about the added challenges of farming ecologically in a changing climate. FROM SEED TO SEED exemplifies the best qualities of those who advance ecological agriculture, and provides an inspiring look at a modern movement that will prove vital in turning the tide of environmental destruction. This hopeful story and Canadian perspective on a Global social movement aims to regenerate the land, farming, communities and policies toward a healthier and more sustainable future for all of us.