Watch The Greenhorns

The Greenhorns is a 2010 documentary film directed by Severine von Tscharner Fleming. The movie is about younger farmers looking to take over abandoned land and start growing crops. The film was inspired by the Greenhorns project, which was established in 2007 to offer a supportive community for young farmers working to restore independence and resilience to agriculture.

The film starts with Severine von Tscharner Fleming showing her experiences as a young farmer who had experienced a lot of difficulties starting her own farm. She talks about the difficulties of finding land, the initiation costs, and the lack of support. As she delves into the issue, she finds other young farmers who share the same struggles.

The documentary introduces us to several young farmers who have started or are starting their own farming businesses. We get to follow their journey as they navigate through the process of getting loans, finding land, learning about agriculture, and establishing their farm. The audience gets to see the struggles and challenges they face, along with the moments of joy and accomplishment.

Throughout the movie, the young farmers talk about their passion for farming and the importance of producing fresh and local food. One of the farmers, a former Wall Street trader, explains how he got into farming after realizing that he was not happy with his former career as it did not make any difference in the world. Another young farmer talks about the pleasure of growing their own food and sharing it with their community.

The Greenhorns documentary also illustrates where the future of farming is heading. It is becoming clear to everyone that the traditional farming practices of large-scale farming are unsustainable in the long run. With young farmers struggling to get into the business, it is more important than ever to understand the environmental impact on agriculture and the need to find new sustainable solutions.

During a farm gathering in New York State, the movie showcases the number of young people drawn to farming as they share experiences and farming advice. The gathering provided an opportunity for young farmers to come together, discuss their experiences, ask questions and get advice on how to grow their business. As one farmer put it, “we are concerned about what’s happening in the world…We want to grow food that’s good for us and the planet.”

Overall, The Greenhorns is an excellent documentary about the struggles of young farmers trying to start their own businesses. The film shows that it is not just about growing food. It's about creating a sustainable community that produces fresh and local food and the importance of preserving natural resources for future generations. Director Severine von Tscharner Fleming captures the essence of the journey, the importance of community and the love for the land that inspires youth to get into farming. The Greenhorns is a must-watch for anyone who is interested in farming, local and sustainable food, and environmentalism.