Documentary Screening Inspiring and Educational

Last Thursday, Nick Versteeg arrived on campus to show his documentary "Food Security: It's In Your Hands". Although we started with a few technical hiccups, I believe the event was quite a success! It was great to see interested students and community members out at this event. The documentary was wonderful and I came away feeling inspired. As an environmental studies student I often become overwhelmed by environmental issues and it becomes hard not to shut-down and easy to give up hope. This film has re-energized my drive and passion for food security and ensured me that others are just as pissed off.

The film asks the question, can we feed the world the way we farm today?  The U.N. estimates that there will be 9 billion people by 2050. The answer is NO. The film introduces us to a variety of characters. Farmers who have converted their commercial farms to organic farms, young farmers, dairy farmers, authors, soil specialists, and beekeepers. Cheap imports undermine local farmers and makes it impossible for them to compete on the market. Only 4% of the population in BC are farmers, the rest are "urbanites". That means if we want to encourage food security and local, sustainable agriculture we require more people to get into farming. Farming isn't the most sexy or glamorous career for students emerging from university to pick.Young farmers Heather Walker and Brock Mcloed bought ten acres of farmland in Cowichan Valley and turned it into Makaria Farm. They remind the audience that environmentally sustainable farming is financially viable and a positive career choice for those who want to live out their values. I learned a great deal about the importance of soil and what is happening to our bees.

But what I really appreciated and what will stick with me for the long-term is a new found fire and passion for farming. We can't feed the world the way we farm today, and big agri-business is not concerned about the health and well-being of communities. That means it is up to us to ensure we have enough healthy, affordable and sustainably produced food for all. I know my father is concerned when I begin to speak of farming, especially since I've spent so much money on my education. But food is something we can't live without, food has the potential to reconnect us to nature and re-instill the values of community. Food Security really is in our hands; if you can't grow it, support local growers. Lobby local government to secure farmland infrastructure and support the amazing organizations who provide healthy and fresh food to those who can't afford it. Everyone has the ability to get involved in some way. We need to teach children that food does not come from the grocery store and ensure everyone in the community has access to safe, affordable, healthy, fresh and sustainably produced food. That is food security, and it's in our hands.

Also read this great article in the Times Colonist. Our event got a shout out :)