Nourishing Soul, People, and Community

The future of farming will be on display on Wednesday, February 21 at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) with the 7 p.m. screening of three Thriving Communities films.

“Stories have impact. Films can take stories to a different level of knowledge and wisdom,” says Jerry Millhon, the founder of Thriving Communities. “These films connect us and people on our island have the opportunity to learn why and how we are connected no matter region or race or background.”

The three films will explore the regenerative agriculture movement, with the first film featuring Whidbey Island’s Organic Farm School. This will be followed by two additional short documentaries on communities across the United States embracing regenerative agriculture—an African American community in Ohio and a Navajo community in New Mexico. These films share “the diverse approaches and cultural connections that enrich the practice of regenerative agriculture.”

Discussing concerns over climate change, food insecurity, and “a disconnection from the natural world,” these films will explore how regenerative agriculture can address the issues we are facing and how viewers can take action themselves.

“These films and people are all part of us,” says Millhon. “Most often we just don’t know the impact of farming, food, and productive soil. We can do something in our backyard. Let’s grow something.”

A discussion and informal gathering will follow the three film screenings, where attendees can enjoy small bites and a no-host bar in WICA’s Zech Hall.

To learn more about the film screenings and to purchase tickets, please visit WICAonline.org.

About Thriving Communities

Thriving Communities is a national organization that produces films to catalyze community action. Through the dynamic fusion of storytelling, community engagement, and transformative gatherings, we are dedicated to inspiring action and nurturing solutions for current challenges and those that lie ahead. Learn more at ThrivingCommunities.org.

About Organic Farm School

The Organic Farm School is a Regenerative Learning Center, offering community learning experiences and beginning farmer training tracks to cultivate healthier food systems via closer relationships between eaters and growers. Learn more at OrganicFarmSchool.org.