Grab your snacks and popcorn because the Seeds of Change Documentary is coming to a screen near you!
A Little Background on Seeds of Change
The Seeds of Change Network is built on a holistic approach to farmer wellness, emphasizing healing through the power of community care. By fostering connection and mutual support, we aim to address not only the physical needs of our growers but also their emotional and social well-being.
When we look at our youth in Rainier Beach, we see incredible potential for them to grow into the next generation of farmers, innovators, and changemakers. By providing them with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need, we hope to nurture a future where they lead meaningful change, creating food systems that are sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.
Our Three Pillars
At the heart of everything we do are three guiding principles:
- Engaging Youth and Food Systems through Community Care for Farmers
- Nurturing Our Local Economy
- Advocacy through Education and Storytelling on Policy Initiatives
2024: A Year of Growth and Connection
In the 2024 season, we proudly supported 29 Black and Brown farms, dedicating over 1,200 hours to farmer support. Our work was about so much more than resources it was about building trust. Throughout the summer, we deepened our relationships with these farmers, learning their stories, hearing about their journeys into farming, and gaining insight into the unique challenges they face in the agricultural industry.
These farmers brought a wealth of knowledge to our youth, teaching them lessons about resilience, sustainability, and the importance of community. What better way to advocate for change than by amplifying their voices? Through our upcoming Seeds of Change documentary, we’ll highlight their stories, using the power of storytelling to inspire conversations and action on policy initiatives that impact their livelihoods and the future of farming.
Themes of the Documentary
The documentary focuses on three interconnected themes: underconsumption, storytelling, and mindful growth.
- Underconsumption addresses the disparities in access to locally grown, nutritious food and challenges the societal norms that lead to waste and inefficiency in food systems. By showcasing overlooked farming practices and underutilized resources, we hope to demonstrate how intentional efforts can create sustainable and equitable solutions.
- Storytelling is the documentary’s heartbeat. Through the voices of Black and Brown farmers, we celebrate their resilience, amplify their struggles, and honor their critical role in shaping our communities. These stories remind us that food isn’t just about nourishment, it’s about connection, culture, and identity.
- Mindful growth emphasizes thoughtful and intentional progress. Rather than pursuing rapid and unsustainable growth, we focus on thoughtful choices that create lasting benefits for farmers, consumers, and the environment. This includes nurturing the next generation of growers, advocating for policies that uplift small-scale farmers, and promoting practices that prioritize well-being over profit.
Through these themes, the Seeds of Change documentary seeks to inspire viewers to rethink their relationship with food, support equitable food systems, and join us in advocating for meaningful change.
What to Expect
The documentary features powerful stories from farmers like Assumani, Deepa, Nia and Pao, Small Axe Farm, as well as Aeykofarm. You’ll also meet Derartu, Abby, and Kidest, our original farm fellows, along with Friendly Vang, our Seeds of Change Consultant.
Mark your calendars, our collective documentary premieres on February 22nd. Personalized episodes will follow shortly after, offering a deeper look into each individual’s story. Stay tuned for more details and we can’t wait to share these stories with you. Hope to see you there!
-Nurhaliza Mohamath