Grow!

With local farmers' markets and organic eateries located all over metropolitan Atlanta these days, it is easy to forget that organic, locally-produced food was much harder to come by a few years back. When photographers Christine Anthony and Owen Masterson moved to Atlanta from Los Angeles in 2005, they turned their personal quest for local food into a professional mission to shed light on Georgia's growing organic scene. "GROW!" is an involving look at 20 young farmers from 12 farms located all over the state.

A lot of documentaries weave their way through Georgia's film festival circuit. "GROW!" couldn't be more suited for the tour even if it tried. The film screened at the Savannah Film Festival and won awards at the Macon Film Festival, the Rome International Film Festival and DocuFest Atlanta. After making the festival rounds, the film was re-edited with more footage in preparation for the DVD release.

Anthony and Masterson do a great job as first time filmmakers to strike a smooth balance between the visual and voice-over elements of the documentary. We aren't forced to just hear about farming, we are invited into the fields to witness it for ourselves. While this prospect might not excite everyone, the passion and energy of the farmers is very convincing. These are former accountants, medical students, teachers and scientists that all felt a strong calling to get their hands dirty. The film isn't mounted atop a crusade to convict anyone for what they eat. Instead, it focuses on who grows our food, why they grow our food and why they love what they do.

Though the film runs short of an hour, you quickly develop attachments to many of the farmers. I would be surprised if the film doesn't make every viewer visualize themselves on a farm somewhere. Someday, you should drive through rural Georgia, between the endless cotton fields and pecan groves. It wouldn't be so bad to be called 'the salt of the earth.'

"GROW!" is a fresh and encouraging look at Georgia's evolving agricultural society. You can now buy or rent the film digitally at iTunes and Amazon, or purchase a DVD from the official website, www.growmovie.net.

4 out of 5 stars.

Check out more reviews by Cameron McAllister at Reel Georgia - www.ReelGA.com

Not only is this doc beautifully shot, it reigns significant today. With all the growing knowledge of careless factory farming and over processed foods. Our fruits and vegetables are saturated with chemicals, additives and preservatives. Our livestock are abused and pumped with antibiotics. All for the bottom line, money and greed.

Anthony-Masterson introduces us to these young farmers who have pride in what they do and respect for the land. They show us the meaning of 'Farm to Table', and what slow food is all about. After watching this film, I have hope in the growing numbers of people who care and I have hope for the future!

After all, WE ARE WHAT WE EAT.

Greetings again from the darkness. Caught this one thanks to the Chipotle Film Series in Dallas. The series is focused on our food supply, and GROW! introduces us to the next generation of farmers ... twenty and thirty-somethings tackling organic and sustainable gardening on an ever-growing scale.

The people we meet are mostly college-educated who were raised with a goal of a professional career in medicine, science, finance, etc. Instead, they each (in their own way) have devoted themselves to growing safer and higher quality fresh food. The theme throughout the various discussions is ... know where your food is coming from (and what it is). As one of the new-generation farmers mentions, she was raised on "lunchables" and other pre-packaged food, but fresh and safe farming will lead to better health.

The near 60 average age for today's farmers is mentioned a couple of times, so it is vital to this and future generations that these new world farmers are successful and continue with their mission. Land, equipment and money are all mentioned as obstacles, but having a valued mentor is also crucial to their success. This point was also made during the interesting Q&A after the movie held by local organic farmers. This movement needs more participants and is a community made up of caring people who are willing to help.