What motivated you to make this film?
I am actually the Executive Producer and was not in-country for the making of the film. Actuality Media is an organization that takes students and young professionals to developing communities around the globe to make short documentary films featuring the work of changemakers – organizations like Palos Farms – who have great ideas to solve social or environmental problems in their area.
Please provide a brief description of the work or organization featured in your video:
Palos Farm was a permaculture farm working in rural Kenya, both breaking the pattern of monoculture sugarcane farming and teaching locals new farming practices.
What do you want audiences to take away from your video?
Both that the most profitable path is not always the best, and that a permaculture farm could be started anywhere.
Please provide information on any recent developments regarding the issue or subjects of the film. How have things changed or not changed?
Palos Farm is no longer in operation because the land and crops were not producing as much money as could be gotten by raising sugarcane (and paying farmhands extremely low wages, as pointed out in the film). However we have heard from several contacts that the farming lessons learned by farm workers are still being used to raise crops at home, providing additional diversified nutrition to local families.
What opportunities are available for those interested in getting further involved?
Unfortunately nothing can be done directly with Palos Farm, but many communities in developed countries now have local urban farms that are happy to educate people on what crops grow locally and can be integrated into household backyards.
Please list key points that should be covered in a post-screening discussion:
- What are some vegetables that grow well in your area?
- Does anyone here have a garden?
- Does anyone have a yard where they could integrate a garden?
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