Synopsis:

The Real Dirt On Farmer John is the story of a central Illinois farmer.  Like most, John inherited the trade from generations before him.  But John had a tougher road than many and led an interesting life to boot.  Gossip is at its highest level in Illinois.  Like I said, not much to do.  When John makes some life choices that aren't the norm, the community reacts and soon John is alienated.

The Freak's Rating: B+ : I grew up in the heartland of America, in central Illinois.  People often ask me how I am an Illini fan.  Those people have never been there, or when they were there didn't pay much attention.  There are two things you can do in central Illinois, you can farm or you can cheer for the Illini.  The people in the area are passionate about both, and some will never understand.

This movie made me miss my hometown and the central Illinois area.  My grandfather was a farmer in central Illinois and my other grandfather was Amish (a culture which showcases the true heart of a farming community).  We grew up visiting our Amish relatives, taking horse and buggy rides for fun.  Most people who grew up in central Illinois have worked on a farm in one way or another.

Many parents in the area ship their kids off to farms to detassle corn or help the breeders test different diseases on their plants by clamping the leaves with a mixture to help determine the solidity of each variety of sweet corn.

The word used most often in this film that really hits home is community.  Farmers work together in a town, county and sometime region cooperative effort to provide food for America.  Before subsidies existed for farmers, they would help each other in ways I can't imagine modern day America doing.  If your neighbor up the road had a bad year at work, would you give him a chunk of your earnings?  It is almost unfathomable, yet many of these traditions are still alive and well in the heartland of America.

The Real Dirt On Farmer John hits home for me and the message it projects of tolerance and respect for agriculture in this country is fantastic.  The most heartbreaking and real relationship shown in the film is that of the one between John and his mother.   John was a filmmaker and a camera enthusiast, so much of the film is real footage from his life taken by himself or a friend.  It is sometimes difficult to tell what is created for film and what is actual footage, primarily because most of it is real.  Farmer John inspired Jen & I to make a major life change come spring.  I won't give away what it will be, but after seeing this film you'll know...and I urge you to make the same change in your life.

Jen's Rating: B+ : This was a great movie.  The reason it doesn't get an A is because I don't really feel like I need to own it.  I have tremendous respect for Farmer John and the fact that he stays true to who he is and doesn't let others bring him down.  Really makes me want to look into a CSA more (community supported agriculture).  Although I don't know how I feel about organic foods yet (I think it's a little overrated) this movie definitely gives you respect for organic farmers because it's a lot more work!!  John's mom stole the show :)  Reminded me of my grandma.

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