Morven Park to Hold Special Screening of "GROW!"

A of the movie “GROW” will take place at this Thursday in conjunction with the “Food for Thought” program, which began over the summer.

According to Director of Public Programming Abby Pfisterer, this is the fourth part of the series, which focuses on current issues in agriculture and how those ideas and thoughts relate to everyone within the local community.

The 50 minute film focuses on the new generation of sustainable farmers through the eyes, hearts and minds of 20 passionate, idealistic and fiercely independent young growers. Pfisterer said she believes this is the first time that the film has ever been shown in Virginia.

“This movie focuses on young farmers in Georgia and how they decided to go away from the corporate grind and really get into the land and farm including why they chose to do that,” Pfisterer said. “This is just a way to look at who’s doing the farming in our country, who’s going back, and where is it headed.”

Pfisterer said the film is recommended for anyone who has an interest in knowing where their food comes from as well as who the farmers are that provide it.

Assistant Director of Development Teresa Davenport said she thinks people will be inspired by the stories of each young farmer who is committed to providing healthy food and taking care of the land and their animals.

“The filmmakers hope to influence the way people eat, buy, and cook food and do it in a respectful way,” Davenport said. “More and more, people have come to realize that healthy eating does not mean “boring” or “bland.” Public interest in gardening, sustainability, healthy living, and the “farm-to-fork” movement continues to build momentum.”

Davenport said the mission at Morven Park is to provide programs that reflect the ideals of the property's former owner, the 55th governor of Virginia, Westmoreland Davis. He turned Morven Park into a model of sustainable farming, Davenport said, educating other farmers about what were then “cutting edge” farming techniques. The “Food for Thought” series is a reflection of that legacy.

“Morven park was a model for farms for nearly the first half of the 20th century,” Pfisterer said. “Everything from turkeys, cows, sheep and pigs were here including a number of different crops.  This was really a thriving farm for years.”

The documentary film “GROW!”, which looks into the developing ‘back to the land’ movement among young farmers, will be available for viewing on Thursday, September 15, beginning at 7 pm.

Tickets are $10 a person, which will include a tour of the Morven Park mansion. It is encouraged that all purchases be made online by 4 pm, on Thursday.