THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN

In the early 70s John Peterson's farm was an experimental community of art and agriculture attracting a colourful band of radicals and hippies. Suspicion and persecution from John's neighbours unaccustomed to seeing a farmer sitting on a tractor wearing a feather boa, combined with financial crisis lead to a period of deep depression in the farmer's life. Eventually though John fights back and creates Angel Organics, a revolutionary farming community where art and enterprise co-exist, in a triumphant finale that serves as an inspiration for us all.

Taggart Siegel's film dishes the dirt on 55 years in the life of John Peterson and his complex relationship with the piece of land in Illinoisthat has belonged to his family for 100 years. From his childhood in the 50s to the setting up of a successful organic farming business in the 90s, the film chronicles the changing fortunes of this unique character, farmer, artist and activist. Siegel has spent 20 years filming Farmer John's remarkable story. This footage is combined with photographs and intimate home videos of John's upbringing on the family farm and his initiation into the traditional farming techniques that form part of his heritage.

"The film evolves into a deeply moving metaphor for the struggles of an entire generation. His triumphant story is essential for all of us city folk who have found ourselves despairing for the Earth and what has seemed like our inevitable alienation from it." Mark Achbar (director, The Corporation)

"When I decided to make The Real Dirt on Farmer John, I wanted to pay tribute to the small family farmer and to Farmer John.  He is a testimony of endurance, resilience and passion in fighting for a new form of community." Taggart Siegel

Awards: Audience Award, Slamdance Film Festival 2005 and Chicago Int. Documentary Festival 2005; Golden Gate Jury Award, San Francisco International Film Festival 2005

http://www.therealdirt.net