The Racial Justice Committee of the BMNA is happy to announce the continuation of our film series.  This year the film “THIS LAND:  Access and Equity in Minnesota”, a film by Eva Barr and Michelle de la Vega, has been selected for a screening by the Racial Justice Committee of the BMNA.  The film will be shown on the 25th of February in the SRF auditorium in the old Target headquarters at 3701 Wayzata Blvd at 7:00 p.m.

The film documents and discusses the promise and challenges of emerging farmers of color here in the state of Minnesota.  There will be a panel discussion following the film.  We have invited panel members; Patrice Bailey, assistant director of the MN department of agriculture, David Irwin, Community Education Coordinator at North High School and Marcus Carpenter, Founder of Route 1, an organization dedicated to increasing diversity and equity in our food system.  Mr. Bailey contributed to the film and is engaged in an ongoing effort to support emerging farmers of color in the state of Minnesota.  Mr. Irwin and his wife started a farm in North Minneapolis.  The mission of Route 1, founded by Mr. Carpenter, is “To increase food access in our communities and eradicate, dismantle and disrupt the inequity and lack of representation within the agricultural production, processing, and food delivery system.”

We find the many questions surrounding entry into farming intriguing.  I am sure many of you also have questions concerning how one might go about getting into farming.  So, bring a curious mind and maybe a question or two to the movies.  Popcorn and water will be provided.