Farm to Story. Commissioned by the Chatham Arts Council, EbzB Productions—led by the artistic duo of Serena Ebhardt and David zum Brunnen

 https://www.chathamartscouncil.org/investing-in-artists/farm-to-story/

One of the many things Chatham County is known for is its picturesque farms. What would happen if you pulled back the curtain for a behind-the-scenes look at how food gets from those gorgeous landscapes to your supper table? Would you see what challenges farmers face? What changes they’ve witnessed? How they got into farming in the first place? All of these questions, and more, are at the heart of a new county-wide oral history project called Farm to Story. Commissioned by the Chatham Arts Council, EbzB Productions—led by the artistic duo of Serena Ebhardt and David zum Brunnen—is launching Farm to Story to celebrate the people who grow, produce, and deliver much of the food that sustains our community.

“It’s a daunting project because of its scope,” said David zum Brunnen, EbzB Productions’ Producing Director. “However, it is a story we feel is important to share. Farmers and farms abound in this county. They are to be respected and treasured.”

This fall, EbzB Productions is embarking on an adventure as they interview more than 50 farmers to help generate an oral history of farming, including the generational change occurring on farms, the blend of sustainable and conventional farming tactics, the unique challenges farmers face, and more.

“There’s a real sense of pride here in our agricultural heritage,” explained Sam Groce, president, Chatham County Livestock Association; Emeritus Field Faculty – Chatham County/NCSU Agriculture Extension; owner and operator of Meadow Creek Cattle & Hay Farm. “It’s a connection to the land and to each other that feels both timeless and essential. It has taught us the value of hard work, patience, and community, and that’s a legacy and history worth preserving for the generations to come.”

The fascinating stories gathered will culminate in public presentations this spring–from performance and documentary-style film to curated photography—all to honor the county’s farming and agriculture community, because without them, there would be nothing on our supper plates.

Farm to Story is a deeply collaborative effort. And we’re fortunate that so many organizations have come together to make this happen. Partners already committed to the project include Chatham County’s NC Cooperative Agricultural Extension Service, Chatham County Livestock Association, Chatham County Beekeepers Association, Central Carolina Community College’s (CCCC) Sustainable Agriculture Program, Hispanic Liaison, Livestock Conservancy, with additional partners and presentation venues being announced in the months ahead. This project was generously funded by a grant from Chatham County.