Neon Films, 92 minutes, PG.
★★★
I thinkEmily and I may have been the last two people in the Connecticut River Valleyto have seen this film. If you live outside of the region, it’s a feel-gooddocumentary about one couple’s decision to leave the L.A. rat race and divehead first into organic farming.
It couldhave been subtitled “Evicted from Santa Monica.” John Chester is anaccomplished figure in the greater Hollywood film industry. In 2011, he and hiswife Molly, a private chef, adopted a rescue dog named Todd. Todd was a“barker,” a talent unpopular with neighbors. The Chesters were eventuallyevicted from their apartment and decided to tap into their savings to pursueMolly’s dream of living on an organic farm. TheBiggest Little Farm documents their 7-year struggle to bring Molly’s dreamto realization on Apricot Lane Farms, a 230-acre mixed-use holding in Moorpark,California, about 40 miles from Los Angeles.
Before Iinterject skeptical notes, let me say that I liked this film and I understandwhy it is so beloved. I admire what the Chesters did and they are right thatamong the things we must do to save the planet is discover ways to live inharmony with Mother Nature. Bolivian president Evo Morales put it best, “Whatmankind must know is that human beings cannot live without Mother Earth, butthe planet can live without humans.” A lot of young folks here in WesternMassachusetts are deeply interested in sustainable farming and distrust theindustrial agriculture complex that rapes the land, relies upon toxic chemicals,and is more concerned with shelf life, scale, and profit than resourcemanagement, product taste, or consumer safety. I find those youthful valuesadmirable and their efforts heroic.
If you want to make a film like Biggest Little Farm, it helps to have a filmmaker,cameraman, and cinematographer on board, which is what John Chester was beforehe also became a farmer. He knows how to build drama, wring emotion from anaudience, and cut and sequence raw footage. What we see on the screen took 16months to edit and assemble. If you think you can’t get nervous about a piggiving birth, shed tears over a scraggly rooster, or get excited by a hand fullof worms, see this film and get back to me.
What the film does best is drive home themessage that living in harmony with nature is both an act of surrender and oneof balance. Life and death are integral to farming; when a coyote kills sheep,you slice away the pelts and move on. Do not get overly attached to that ever-so-cutecalf that you will one day butcher and consume. Sustainability also requires arewiring of standard operating procedure. What’s the first thing most farmersdo when coyotes kill livestock? Easy: Load the guns and set out poison baittraps. Problem: Kill all the coyotes and you have a rabbit problem. Solution:Accept that a balanced number of mutton- and poultry- eating coyotes arenecessary. Love fruit? So do snails if the trees aren’t sprayed. But there’s ananswer; snails are like crack cocaine for free-waddling ducks. Are gophers underminingroot structures? Build owl houses.
Once we get past the drama, herculean labor,and ingenuity, different sorts of balance conundra emerge that highlight thegap between what we wish to see and what is left unexplained. First, there are afew internal personnel issues. The Chesters’ role model was the late Alan York,who may have been wise and prescient about all things biodiversity, but comesacross as beloved but also like a blissed-out cross between a hippie and aguru. Maybe you have to be from California to get him, but to this Easterner heseemed more flake than prophet. Second, the farm was Molly’s dream, but themovie quickly places John at its center and reduces Molly to the often-peripheralrole of worrier and Earth Mother. Finally, there is only an oblique referenceto the fact that Apricot Lane Farms has a staff of 60. This makes it a small big farm, not a big small one.
One should also acknowledge that John Chesterso skillfully assembled the film that it takes a sharp eye to recognize itsEdenic qualities. There really isn’t any drama as to whether the farm willsucceed. It is telegraphed in part by the drone shots of the lush concentriccircle orchards. It is even more overtly presaged with an early establishingshot of a green pasture in which sheep and other farm animals lie contently inthe grass as a venomous snake slithers among them. Check out Edward Hicks’famed painting “Peaceable Kingdom” and you can infer divine sanction of theexperiment.
Here’s the biggest little lie of the film. Whatyou really need to replicate what theChesters did are deep-pocketed investors. The land wasn’t really as barren asthe documentary implies. Yes, the soil needed revitalization, but most of theproperty was run-down, not dead. Conspicuously absent from the film arespecifics about money. Those who’ve looked into this say that the farm’spurchase price was a cool $10.5 million. I would imagine it also cost quite asum to build the state of the art composting facility that led to soil replenishment.How much more to buy animals, farm machinery, seedlings, feed, fencing, andmiscellaneous supplies? There is a reference to crowd sourcing, but that couldnot have paid the bills. Who are themysterious “investors” who are merely mentioned? I’d like to know, because weneed thousands more of their like before Apricot Lane Farms can be replicatedon a significant scale*.
Let me reiterate that I admired John and Molly.I also admired the film. It is an inspiration, but let no one blindly see it asa blueprint. It is where we shouldgo, but not where most can go at thismoment in time**.
Rob Weir
*The investors must be in for a really longhaul. The farm’s classification is that it makes less than $250,000 revenue peryear.
**Here’s something that’s more immediatelyattainable. As we strolled through the fields of our CSA farm share in lateAugust, every step among the cherry tomatoes raised dozens of birds. Clouds ofbutterflies and bees were busy amidst the flowers in the adjacent field. Hawkssoared above the mountain ridge on the other side of the road. If you buildhabitats, Mother Nature’s creatures will come.
FAQs
"We're doing fine!" A decade after they first moved to the countryside, Apricot Lane Farms is booming and thriving. "It's bigger than the dreams," Molly said. "It's amazing when you look back to think of where we've come and what's happened over the last 10 years," John said.
How much did they pay for Apricot Lane farm? ›
Yes, the soil needed revitalization, but most of the property was run-down, not dead. Conspicuously absent from the film are specifics about money. Those who've looked into this say that the farm's purchase price was a cool $10.5 million.
Does Apricot Lane Farms make money? ›
The movie is gorgeous, the land is gorgeous, the work they do is amazing. According to the LA Times: Apricot Lane is a small-scale farm, defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as earning at least $1,000 in gross income, but not more than $250,000, annually.
Is The Biggest Little Farm still running? ›
The story continues in “The Biggest Little Farm: The Return”, which premiered on Disney Plus on Earth Day, April 22, 2022. The 30 minute short film is a prequel to the upcoming The Biggest Little Farm Series in partnership with National Geographic, coming soon…
Who are the owners of Biggest Little farm? ›
In 2010, married couple Molly and John Chester decide to leave their old lives in Los Angeles behind and purchase an abandoned, 234-acre farm near Moorpark in neighboring Ventura County, California.
Why are small family farms disappearing? ›
Why Are Family Farms Disappearing? There are many threats to the viability of small family farms, including regulatory and structural disadvantages that penalize small-scale agriculture, financial constraints, lack of support and infrastructure, climate change, and competition from giant factory farms.
Who owns Apricot Lane farm? ›
Apricot Lane Farms was founded in 2011 by John and Molly Chester, and today spans 234 acres of countryside in Moorpark, California, just 40 miles north of Los Angeles.
Who owns Apricot Lane? ›
Ken Petersen ,Founder | Apricot Lane Boutique.
How much does it cost to open an apricot lane? ›
But compared to many other retail franchises, Apricot Lane's initial investment is relatively low, with the average franchisee able to start the business for well under $500,000.
Who is the richest farm business? ›
Most Richest Farmers in the World
Qin Yinglin is a Chinese businessman who founded the Muyuan Foodstuff Company, which is one of China's largest pig breeding and pork processing firms. As of 2021, Qin's net worth is estimated at over $20 billion, making him one of the wealthiest farmers in the world.
Livestock is probably the most common way farmers make money from their land. And while animals have a few more expenses and a higher overhead, they usually bring in top dollar in terms of net income.
Does farmer Harry have his own farm? ›
Farmer Wants A Wife star Harry has been caught using someone else's farm to film the show. When viewers met Farmer Harry, he was touted as owning a farm in Gloucester, New South Wales. But it's since been revealed the 23-year-old's actual property is located more than 900km away in Kyabram, northern Victoria.
How much money did The Biggest Little Farm movie make? ›
How much did the little big farm cost? ›
A single investor came in around the five-year mark to finance “The Biggest Little Farm,” which came in for under $1 million. New cameras allowed Chester to create more hi-def professional shots.
Where is biggest little farm located? ›
Located 40 miles north of Los Angeles, the farm is dedicated to the mission of creating a well-balanced eco-system and rich soils that produce nutrient-dense foods while treating the environment and the animals with respect.
Is The Biggest Little Farm true? ›
That sounds like the plot of a quirky indie comedy, but it's actually a true story, one that's now told in a documentary called The Biggest Little Farm, which chronicles the first eight years of the Chesters' new life.
When the rains finally came why did the chesters farm not lose all of its topsoil? ›
The Chesters, however, were able to collect over 100 million gallons of rainwater because of their aquifer, which was at the crux of their regenerative methods. The aquifer acted like a sponge: What plants and trees didn't use went back into the aquifer below ground.
How did they finally get the coyotes to stop hunting chickens? ›
Coyotes proved to be a consistent problem for the farm, as they kept killing the chickens and ducks. While some were killed, the eventual solution was having Great Pyrenees guard dogs stay with the different livestock, as the dogs would often chase off the coyotes.
What was the problem in the biggest little farm? ›
The film documented some challenges with traditional farming, such as snails eating tree leaves or birds pecking at fruit. Another problem was a coyote destroying many chickens without eating them. By taking a “problem” into context, or into the food web, we can learn from nature.
Do small farms make money? ›
A small-scale farm may not produce as many bushels as a 100-acre grain farm, but with the right methods and markets, it can be profitable.
The farm sector is more than $426.6 billion in debt, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. The average farm was $1.3 million in debt in 2017, the Nebraska Farm Business Inc. found, and the sector's total debt has risen by more than 8.5 percent since then.
What farm does Hayden Christensen own? ›
On October 29, 2014, Bilson gave birth to their daughter. Christensen and Bilson separated in September 2017. In 2007, Christensen bought a farm near Uxbridge, Ontario. He noted in 2008 that he had been renovating the property himself and devoting time to learning about "livestock, crops, and agricultural machinery".
Who owns Cannon Hill farm? ›
Cannon Hall Farm is a working farm and tourist attraction close to the village of Cawthorne, near Barnsley in the English county of South Yorkshire. Open to visitors since 1989, it is owned and run by the Nicholson family.
How many locations does Apricot Lane have? ›
Now, there are 79 Apricot Lane locations in 33 states. “We're a unique boutique,” Petersen says. “One, from a franchise perspective, we allow our franchisees to buy their own products.
Who is the CEO of Apricot Lane? ›
Patrick Stewart, CEO | Apricot Lane Boutique.
What is in a boutique? ›
Most are small privately-owned shops that offer upscale, specialized products, such as clothes, jewelry and shoes. Because they are so small, boutiques have to really think hard about what products they can offer customers in their limited space.
How many employees does Apricot Lane Farms have? ›
Apricot Lane Farms corporate office is located in 10700 Broadway Rd, Moorpark, California, 93021, United States and has 29 employees.
What is the average price of an apricot? ›
Apricot(Jardalu/Khumani) price today
| Commodity: | Apricot(Jardalu/Khumani) |
|---|
| Avg Market Price: | ₹4500/Quintal |
| Min Market Price: | ₹2000/Quintal |
| Max Market Price: | ₹7500/Quintal |
| Price updated: | 27 May '23 |
1 more rowA unique partnership of Ken Petersen, Tom Brady and Scott Jacobs who opened their first retail gift store in August 1991 in Vacaville, California.
Who is the richest farmer in California? ›
1. John Anderson: The Citrus Magnate. John Anderson, the citrus magnate, leads the pack as one of the wealthiest farmers in California. With his vast citrus groves spanning across the Central Valley, Anderson's mastery in citrus cultivation has brought him immense success.
The wealthiest farmer in the United States lives and farms in California. Stewart Resnick, 81, owner of The Wonderful Company and 65 percent of the nation's pistachios, has had a distinct and sweeping effect on agriculture in the Golden State.
Why are farmers millionaires? ›
Farm Household Wealth and Income
Farm operator households have more wealth than the average U.S. household because significant capital assets, like farmland and equipment, are generally necessary to operate a successful farm business. In 2021, the average U.S. farm household had $2,100,879 in wealth.
What state pays farmers the most? ›
The top 10 agriculture-producing States in terms of cash receipts in calendar year 2021 were (in descending order): California, Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, Indiana, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.
What is the cheapest farm animal to raise? ›
Chickens are generally a low-cost farm animal; the feed is cheap, and they love to eat all of your scraps. It only takes a few minutes per day to take care of chickens. You have to feed and water them, and you will need to make sure they're protected at night.
What is the easiest animal to farm? ›
If you have heard the term, chickens are the gateway to farming then you will understand why poultry are the ideal livestock for small acreage homesteading. Aside from raising chickens, ducks are a close second for many who enter this life. Poultry, without a doubt, are the easiest animals to raise on the homestead.
Is Farmer Harry still single? ›
And it looks like Tess and Harry are still going strong in 2023, with the pair revealing some exciting new plans.
Has Farmer Harry got a girlfriend? ›
Farmer Wants a Wife favourite Farmer Harry Floyd has shared an update after he and girlfriend Tess Brookman appeared on the epic reunion episode. The couple found love in the 2022 series of the hit Channel 7 show and returned the following year to tell all about their relationship.
What happened to farmer Paige? ›
Paige chose to leave the show single rather than meet their families and make a final decision. Paige told Ayden that “we may not be suited for each other and that the person you're looking for... is not me.” Paige's farewell with Cody, on the other hand, was more emotionally heated.
Did the CIA fund the Animal Farm movie? ›
Animal Farm and the CIA
The 1954 film version of Animal Farm was secretly funded by the American intelligence agency the CIA, who bought the rights from the writer's widow, Sonia Orwell.
What is the goal of biggest little farm? ›
John Chester (Lost in Woonsocket, Rock Prophecies) directs this documentary about his and his wife's developing a sustainable farm on a 200-acre patch of depleted ground in Ventura County. They work to rehabilitate the soil, plant orchards and row crops, and raise a variety of animals.
America's most prolific female serial killer's calculated lifestyle derails, resulting in a series of horrific discoveries that remain a mystery to this day. Based on a true story.
Is the biggest little farm still in business? ›
"We're doing fine!" A decade after they first moved to the countryside, Apricot Lane Farms is booming and thriving. "It's bigger than the dreams," Molly said. "It's amazing when you look back to think of where we've come and what's happened over the last 10 years," John said.
What is the biggest expense on the farm? ›
Fertilizer and rent are most likely the two largest costs for all grain farms.
Who owns The Biggest Little Farm? ›
In 2010, married couple Molly and John Chester decide to leave their old lives in Los Angeles behind and purchase an abandoned, 234-acre farm near Moorpark in neighboring Ventura County, California.
How did they heal the soil in The Biggest Little Farm? ›
The ducks were moved into the orchards where there was a massive snail problem – the snails were attacking the trees. In just one season, 30 ducks ate 100,000 snails that returned nutrients to the soil. The Chesters' journey is documented in Nat Geo's “The Biggest Little Farm: The Return,” now on Disney+.
Who is the director of The Biggest Little Farm? ›
Directed by filmmaker and farmer John Chester, the film is a testament to the complexity of nature and an epic odyssey to attempt to farm within a reawakening ecosystem. The story continues in “The Biggest Little Farm: The Return”, which premiered on Disney Plus on Earth Day, April 22, 2022.
How much was invested in The Biggest Little Farm? ›
A single investor came in around the five-year mark to finance “The Biggest Little Farm,” which came in for under $1 million. New cameras allowed Chester to create more hi-def professional shots.
What is the return of Little Big farm? ›
Movie Info
“The Biggest Little Farm: The Return,” from National Geographic, is based on the 2018 award-winning feature documentary film that tells the story of John and Molly Chester, who abandon their urban life in Los Angeles to live on a barren farm to grow delicious food in harmony with nature in Ventura County.
What was the problem in The Biggest Little Farm? ›
The film documented some challenges with traditional farming, such as snails eating tree leaves or birds pecking at fruit. Another problem was a coyote destroying many chickens without eating them. By taking a “problem” into context, or into the food web, we can learn from nature.
Who is the richest farm? ›
Most Richest Farmers in the World
Qin Yinglin is a Chinese businessman who founded the Muyuan Foodstuff Company, which is one of China's largest pig breeding and pork processing firms. As of 2021, Qin's net worth is estimated at over $20 billion, making him one of the wealthiest farmers in the world.
Apricot Lane Farms was founded in 2011 by John and Molly Chester, and today spans 234 acres of countryside in Moorpark, California, just 40 miles north of Los Angeles.
Who did Farmer Ben end up with? ›
Farmer Ben & Leish
A doting father to a three-year-old-girl, Ben was looking for someone who was family-oriented and loves kids. And in the finale, Farmer Ben chose Leish!
Are small farms making a comeback? ›
Census data suggests that smaller farms are slowly making a comeback—perhaps driven by the $1 billion boom in local farmers' markets—while medium-large farms are dwindling.
Where can I watch The Biggest Little Farm 2? ›
Right now you can watch The Biggest Little Farm: The Return on Disney+.
Why did the farm economy collapse? ›
Land prices had fallen dramatically leading to record foreclosures. Farm debt for land and equipment purchases soared during the 1970s and early 1980s, doubling between 1978 and 1984. Other negative economic factors included high interest rates, high oil prices (inflation) and a strong dollar.
Why were the farmers unhappy? ›
Farmers cited the reasons for their unhappiness as declining prices, decreasing purchasing power, and monopolistic practices of: 1) moneylenders, 2) railroad corporations, and 3) other middlemen. Recent research has led scholars to question the validity of these explanations.
