The Biggest Little Farm

Last night I went to see the documentary The Biggest Little Farm.  It tells the true story about how a documentary filmmaker and a personal chef decided to leave life in the city to create an organic farm.  When John and Molly Chester adopt a dog named Todd, he does not adapt well to living in a small apartment and barks all day when they are not at home.  The neighbors complain and they are eventually evicted.  Since they have to move, Molly thinks it would be the perfect time to pursue her dream of owning a farm to produce the organic food she uses in her recipes.  With the help of a few investors, they buy a farm in Moorpark, California and name it Apricot Lane Farms.  It is a barren wasteland when they first buy it so they hire a consultant named Alan York to help them create a plan.  He tells them that they key is to create biodiversity where everything in nature, including the plants, livestock, and wildlife, work in harmony to mimic the natural ecosystems found on Earth and that it will take at least seven years for the farm to become self-sustaining.  The Chesters follow York's plan for designing their farm and rely on him completely but, one year into their experiment, York dies of cancer which leaves them on their own.  They encounter problem after problem but eventually look to nature to solve them.  For example, the ground cover they plant to enrich the soil in their orchard attracts snails which destroy their fruit trees.  One day, John notices that the ducks in their pond eat snails so they release the ducks in the orchard.  Coyotes attack their chickens and, after trying many different solutions, they feel they must kill the coyotes which goes against their mission of achieving harmony with nature.  One day, John notices that their sheep dogs like to play with the chickens so they have the sheep dogs guard them at night.  The coyotes then begin killing the gophers that have been plaguing the farm.  This story is so inspiring and I love that the fact that they continually find solutions in nature to achieve sustainability.  I also love that this documentary shows the eight years of backbreaking work it took to get the farm producing and that it highlights both the triumphs and the tragedies.  If I had one complaint it would be that I wish they had talked more about their business plan and how they got their investors.  This feel good documentary, filled with footage of the cutest animals you can imagine, has a great environmental message that everyone should see!