Once in a while you see a documentary that inspires beyond normal inspiration. We saw A Farm for the Future for the first time about 12 years ago and many times since then. Brilliant, not only because of the beautiful filming, but also because it makes you aware of what needs to change and brings ideas of what this change may look like. For us, at the time, it was this documentary that made permaculture a real vision for the future and it is probably the reason we are now at Back to La Tierra sharing it with all of you.
"Wildlife film maker Rebecca Hosking investigates how to transform her family's farm in Devon into a low energy farm for the future, and discovers that nature holds the key.
With her father close to retirement, Rebecca returns to her family's wildlife-friendly farm in Devon, to become the next generation to farm the land. But last year's high fuel prices were a wake-up call for Rebecca. Realising that all food production in the UK is completely dependent on abundant cheap fossil fuel, particularly oil, she sets out to discover just how secure this oil supply is.
Alarmed by the answers, she explores ways of farming without using fossil fuel. With the help of pioneering farmers and growers, Rebecca learns that it is actually nature that holds the key to farming in a low-energy future."
Watch A Farm for the Future here 50 mins.
This is a link to an article by Richard Widows where he describes the farm which Rebecca started running with her best friend Tim according to the principles described in the documentary. Sadly Tom died in 2017 and I believe Rebecca is currently back on her family farm in Devon. The image of what could be, has been planted in the minds of tens of thousands.