Documentary Film on Farming with Horses

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  • September 2, 2009 at 11:09 pm #40834
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Dear DraftAnimalPower.com Community:

    I am working on a project that may be of interest to some of you: A documentary film about farmers in the Northeast, particularly in New Jersey, who farm using draft horses.

    I invite you to take a look at the film’s website, which has a short trailer and other information about the effort:

    http://horsefarmer.squarespace.com/

    So far, I’m bootstrapping this one. But if this is a project that excites you, and you are able, I hope you will consider making a small donation to support the film. More information about making a donation is available here:

    http://horsefarmer.squarespace.com/make-a-donation/

    Also, any recommendations of organizations, institutions, or grant programs that might support a project such as mine would be greatly appreciated.

    I began working on the documentary this month, and I have several months of shooting ahead of me. I’d be happy to post periodic updates here if anyone is interested.

    Best regards,
    Jared Flesher

    jtflesher@gmail.com

    September 3, 2009 at 12:33 am #54033
    Carl Russell
    Moderator

    Welcome Jared. Excellent project. Make sure to attend the NEAPFD October 17th & 18th in Tunbridge Vt, you should make a lot of contacts there.

    Please keep us informed about your progress.

    Thanks, and good luck, Carl

    September 3, 2009 at 6:41 am #54035
    CharlyBonifaz
    Member

    I’m not sure if I like the “old way to farm”
    actually, considering all the environmental impact and the occupational possibilities, I see it as a very progressive idea of farming
    I do however recognize the importance of bringing it back to the attention of the public :rolleyes:

    September 4, 2009 at 11:16 am #54032
    Gabe Ayers
    Keymaster

    I agree with Charlie, this defining our efforts as anachronistic is another unintended form of reduction and marginalizing of the culture as a modern choice. In this case I suspect it is completely innocent as proposed by the young folks associated with the historical farm.

    Having ran a living history farm in the 70’s I am very aware of the dismissive
    nostalgia that this cultural activity evokes. Our experience was that when we presented the culture as a valuable skill set that may have a role in the future, it was really dismissed and our views often defined as crazy…..

    So, if anyone becomes involved in this type of media, be sure to include your perspective that your involvement and inspiration is about the present and the future. That would not be crazy – but visionary, real and a manifestation of true hopefulness for the future of mankind.

    On the other hand the presence of such historical farms is a valid and powerful example for young people that are so uncultured in a real world or real life activities sense. This may be the only exposure to an alternative choice of providing for human needs that many people will ever have. So I applaud their efforts and encourage them to move forward while being inclusive of the potential and validity of historical preservation as a way to inform and guide the future.

    Yep, Charlie and I don’t want to farm the old way.

    I want to farm and log with horses, mules and oxen within the context of a planetary awareness that does see further than the end of our driveways, county lines, state lines or national borders.

    I wish these folks good luck and invite them to film modern animal powered restorative forestry as we (HHFF) practice it anytime. There are many others that could provide inspiring images of such practices throughout the country.

    Sincerely,

    September 4, 2009 at 12:23 pm #54034
    Carl Russell
    Moderator

    Although I also agree that we need not devalue our enterprises by using terminology that is typical of the “historical” perspective, painting a quaint pastoral return to yesteryear. This, however is not the fault of those who practice old skills, but more a result of more modern interests to cause people to give up “old” ways, and to buy into “new”.

    I also endorse the concept that animal-power is a futuristic reality, but I think it is extremely important that we get a clear view of past enterprises, because the practice of those skills in “olden days” is very real, and to me is like money in the bank, in terms of describing skills, methods, and systems that by their nature were tied more directly to the limitations of individual humans and their surrounding environments.

    I for one absolutely embrace and practice many skills that have been lost to modernization, and I promote a move “backward” in time, in order to move ahead.

    Subtle differentiations and honest discussion, not sound bites and flashy eye candy make the difference for me.

    Carl

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