Student filmmakers focus on farming

The inner workings of Vermont farms will hit the big screen as an ambitious group of Springfield High School students prepares a feature-length documentary highlighting local farming and agriculture in the state.
http://rutlandherald.com/article/20130819/NEWS02/708199967

Published August 19, 2013 in the Rutland Herald Student filmmakers focus on farming By Courtney Parker CORRESPONDENT The inner workings of Vermont farms will hit the big screen as an ambitious group of Springfield High School students prepares a feature-length documentary highlighting local farming and agriculture in the state. Titled “Pitchforks and Spoons,” the documentary follows local community members as they take a one-week challenge to solely eat locally grown foods, creating everyday dishes from basic Vermont farm ingredients. Over the course of a year, while juggling school, homework and extracurricular activities, the team will travel across the state in search of unique farms to feature, while gathering farmer biographies and Vermont agricultural history along the way. “We wanted to give back to what we have here in Vermont,” said Ryan Cooney, a member of CovyHill Visual Arts, a five-student production team. Growing up on a quail farm, Cooney has always been surrounded by farm life and finds the local culture to be truly inspirational. He said he hopes the final product will not only shed light on the day-to-day lives of those who provide produce, but will also encourage others to invest in local food and the Vermont brand. “It’s some real-life stuff,” he said. “We have a lot of great things sitting right in our backyard.” While the group has already begun production, they are aiming to receive additional funding and support from community members to improve the project. Using the website Kickstarter, the team has set a goal to raise $12,000 by Sept. 3. “The funds would go toward travel expenses, publicity and enhancing the video,” said Elliot Thompson of CovyHill Visual Arts. “Anyone who supports us is making a huge difference in a farmer’s life.”