Picture a Farmer
2018 Documentary
Funded

Picture a Farmer

Challenging the conventional perception of women's roles on the farm.

Length20:46
GenreDocumentary

Video


Pitch video

Synopsis

Women have always been a critical part of farm life, yet they're rarely seen as Farmers. Women on farms raise children, cook meals, tend gardens... But they also do so much more: drive the tractors, look after the animals, fix equipment, and toil in the office noting yields and prices and ensuring the business runs efficiently. Women are Farmers. Picture a Farmer will explore female farmers in Alberta who are taking ownership of the title Farmer. We will speak to women who have stepped up to save the family farm, who have returned to their farm roots after detours to urban careers, and women who are taking their place on Ag boards to ensure women have a say in decision making. These stories are more important than ever. Why? Because the future of farming is female!


The team

Our team has extensive experience exploring rural Alberta gathering stunning images and captivating stories. We are passionate about supporting local initiatives and telling stories that are timely, informative, and vital to the Alberta experience.


Production

Interview Roster

Lynn Dargis
Lynn Dargis

Lynn took over her family farm at the age of 20 after both of her parents passed away suddenly. She always wanted to farm with her Dad, but never expected to be thrust into the role so suddenly. Forced to downsize, Lynn persevered and continues to farm her parent's land with her husband and 3 young kids. Lynn represents a growing number of women who a are taking over their family farms where traditionally the land would have been passed to male heirs. Lynn, like many women was always interested in agriculture and wasn't afraid to step up and take charge.

Kristin Graves
Kristin Graves

Kristin grew up farming, but never planned on being a farmer. She pursued a career as an X-Ray Tech, a busy job she loved at the UofA Hospital's Emergency Ward, but one day decided she had had enough. She headed home to refresh and help her dad with the harvest. It was then that she realized just how much she missed the land and the community that welcomed her home. She decided to quit her job and get her hands dirty in a new venture: a 3 acre Vegetable Farm. Kristin represents a growing number of women rediscovering their love of the land, food, and community.

Hannah Konschuh
Hannah Konschuh

Hannah comes from a long line of Alberta Farmers. She earned her degree in Agriculture, her Masters in Soil Science and is an Agrologist in training. In January 2018 she was appointed to the Alberta Wheat Commission - the first woman to do so - and was recently appointed to the National Program Advisory Committee by AAFC. Hannah represents women who are stepping up to take their place on Agriculture boards and ensuring women's voices are heard in places of leadership. Hannah believes in the importance of female entrepreneurs in Ag and diversity in management for a more successful industry.

Production Design

We will conduct interviews both "In the Field" and in more controlled settings in order to ensure that we capture candid moments and the action as it is happening. More formal interviews will also be conducted to ensure our participants have the time to more effectively express their feelings about being a farmer and why women are so important to the Ag industry.
We will film in all seasons to better portray that farming is a year-round endeavour and not just a summer passtime.  Filming during all weather and all seasons will also help to reinforce the way a farmer must have a good knowledge of the environment and the time needed to get their crop in the ground, get the harvest in, when calving takes place etc.
Timelapses of fields and vast blue sky will help the audience to feel a greater connection to the majesty of Alberta's rolling prairies. At times It will also help to reinforce that a farmer's livelihood is always a race against frost, drought, hail, and most importantly time.
We will be right in the thick of things with the livestock capturing births, feeding, milking, etc. We want to show the struggles and the heart it takes to raise animals in Alberta. This is also difficult work that is very hands on that we feel will help enforce the reality that women farmers are getting their hands dirty and doing the heavy lifting.