By Daniel Imwalle
L
ike many great adventures, John and Molly Chester’s starts with a seemingly simple problem to solve—in their case, a dog that won’t stop barking. Cramped in a one-bedroom Los Angeles apartment, the Chesters—albeit a bit restless and uncertain where their lives are headed—are happy to both be gainfully employed in a city with a high cost of living. Enter Todd. No, he isn’t a rowdy roommate per se; he is their beloved dog. And though well-behaved when his owners are home, Todd is a nervous rescue who barks incessantly when they’re away, much to the chagrin of neighbors on the other side of the apartment’s thin walls. An unpleasant surprise in the form of an eviction notice sets the Chesters, with Todd in tow, on an unexpected journey. John, a filmmaker, and Molly, a chef specializing in farm-to-table cuisine, take a leap of faith after receiving the eviction notice. They buy a rundown farm named Apricot Lane about 40 miles north of Los Angeles with the goal of turning it into a profitable, eco-friendly business. Not long after making the move, the Chesters realize they are in way over their heads, though Todd is happier than ever and no longer has a barking problem. The couple seek the help of a specialist in
what is called biodynamic agriculture. The idea is intrinsically Franciscan: All the diverse elements of a farm are interconnected, and the health of one facet of the farm affects and is affected by all the others. In many ways, this type of farming is a demonstrable example of the integrity of creation. Even those not versed in agriculture know that healthy soil is crucial to a successful farm. But the way the Chesters go about achieving healthy soil is by fertilizing it with the manure of their sheep and goats. The sheep and goats eat the invasive grasses and shrubs in the fruit tree orchard, which has been pollinated by the many insects and native and migratory birds attracted to the fruit—and so on in an endless cycle of natural rejuvenation. The Biggest Little Farm is beautifully shot, thanks in no small part to John’s career as a filmmaker with a background in nature documentaries. The quiet force of Molly and her dedication to making Apricot Lane a success help keep her husband going when unforeseen challenges come their way. The documentary is beyond a how-to on biodynamic farming: It’s a case study in resilience rooted in both care for creation and care for one’s spouse. The story of this little farm is big in heart and hope.
“On a planet overwhelmed by habitat loss, the Chesters managed to build an ark.”
—Associated Press
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The Biggest Little Farm
