Of the Soil

Thirty-three year old, Farmer Shake, transforms his land into a first of its kind agricultural incubator for the next generation. Of the Soil is a verité documentary film reimagining what a sustainable, healthy connection to the land could mean for the future of our food system.

Alexis Bell, Director and Producer
Mikail Dingle, Director of Photography
Resita Cox, Executive Producer

"When you want control of your food system . . . you start doing what you have to do in order to take that control back."

Kendrick "Farmer Shake" Ransome
Fourth-Generation, Returning Farmer

Food is power.

Of the Soil envisions a future where the next generation is reconnected to our food system and local farmers. On 41 acres of land at Golden Organic Farms, fourth-generation returning farmer, Kendrick "Farmer Shake" Ransome is a regional supplier for produce and pork in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.

"I've sacrificed a lot of my operational time in order to give back and give forward to the next generation because I'm not doing it right if I don't have a young farmer that can come and help and continue this movement," said Farmer Shake.
"It's much bigger than me."

Our reliance on the American industrialized food system has caused harm that outweighs the benefits of its convenience. Mega-farms overwork the land to over produce, over-processed foods that disproportionally attack the health of Black Americans. The general public’s connection to and knowledge of its food sources is minimal. Federal funding freezing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are putting thousands of dollars for small farmers on hold indefinitely, further jeopardizing the existence of small farmers.

Twice a week, dozens of students load off their school bus to spend classroom time at Golden Organic Farms, putting their hands in the soil and taking ownership of the food growing in their community. A two-week summer camp brings middle and high schoolers on the land focusing on holistic healing, agricultural curriculum, and athletic development. Youth-LEAD, a semester long agricultural ambassador internship, teaches the science and technology behind agricultural practices.

Of the Soil welcomes you to take revolutionary steps towards reclaiming and controlling our food system.

a film in progress

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