Save the Farm: A Documentary reviewed by Cheryl A. Mobley-Stimpson Save the Farm is a gripping documentary that depicts one community's struggle against the "powers and principalities" that do not share its values. Centered on the conflict arising when the country's largest urban farm is sold by the city of Los Angeles to a developer—without consulting its citizens—the film exposes must of what's wrong with the way local government interacts with public concerns. Several important themes stuck out as I watched the film: youth, the strength of community, and the redefinition of true wealth. Joining hands with seasoned activists, celebrities, and common citizens, a strong youth movement steps up to create a formidable partnership that is tenacious to the end. When an activist exclaims that "history is made by working-class people," the entire group sets out to reverse a decision that goes against the original goals of city government. This powerful surge of the people brings to mind the youth movement that arose to elect Barack Obama president and the "Occupy" demonstrations that are springing up in major city across the US today. While the focus on youth is not the prominent message of the film, it is refreshing to see young people play such an important role in helping ensure the ongoing existence of the community farm. For 14 years the garden played a prominent role in the lives of 350 families who created community around sustainable farming and fed themselves in an economical and empowering way. The health benefits of eating fresh, organically grown food to families who do not otherwise receive healthcare cannot be overstated. The same can be said for the life lessons experienced by the children exposed to the efforts: building "an oasis in a concrete jungle," "helping cities to become more livable," and "reconnecting community." More than ever, with social ills on the rise, families are in need of transformative solutions. These farm activists—"You have to be an optimist in order to be an activist," says one interviewee—offer exactly that. It was a visionary mayor, Tom Bradley, who gave 14 acres of land to LA County families in the early 1990s to grow their own food. The community worked and cultivated the land into a solution to its own survival by creating "sustainable and edible food." This is proof that good government can come from simple common sense. Sadly, when wealth
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and "power plays" dictate how city government functions, ordinary citizens lose out. Save the Farm exposes a great deal of "flip flopping" by more recently elected officials, which should be a source of embarrassment to those involved. As one activist points out, the garden is "an example of what we should be duplicating, not eradicating." The cinematography captures close-up images of activists and families coming together in a plan for action based on social justice. The viewer experiences a crushing feeling, together with the activists, as bulldozers move in to wipe out years of communitybuilding, essentially destroying hopes and dreams. A beautiful hibiscus dangling from the fingers of one activist offers a poignant symbol of the beauty of the connection between humanity and the earth. This same connectivity generated the more than $16 million needed by the community activists to buy the land back—but to no avail. Efforts continue to Save the Farm, and the film includes information for those interested in following the movement's progress. The film is a true testament to the power of humanity and community. At the same time, the film helps put in perspective the satisfaction derived from controlling one's own destiny. One activist describes "growing up eating vegetables from a farm and thinking my family was poor." Later in life, he discovers just how wealthy the entire experience made him. This is the type of "self-generated" wealth that has been sought by the community all along. The South Central Farm is an excellent example of what can happen when citizens refuse to be pushed aside and instead demand that basic needs of families and community support are not ignored. The film is a "must see" for activists and advocates, families and educators, politicians and policymakers, environmentalists and anyone else interested in creating sustainable communities and improving the quality of living in "urban concrete jungles" everywhere. Learn more about the farm. Cheryl A. Mobley-Stimpson is a Sider Scholar with the Sider Center on Ministry and Public Policy at Palmer Theological Seminary in Wynnewood, PA
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