Written by Zeldi Smulders

Agriculture is not only one of the world's largest industries but also one of the most destructive, resulting in serious effects on the environment. Even so, there are those who have new hope that farming can go a different route. A breath of fresh air, the award-winning and critically acclaimed feature documentary, The Biggest Little Farm, invites viewers to learn more about regenerative agriculture and what it means to inspire a community.

In the fight to save the planet, there are those who seek to understand how to establish a healthy relationship with nature. Join us, there’s a lot of ground to cover! 🌾

August’s binge: The Biggest Little Farm

“Observation followed by creativity is becoming our greatest ally.”

Inspired by their rescued pet dog, Todd, couple Molly and John Chester move to Apricot Lane Farms in California with the quest to realise their traditional-farming-from-the-past dream. Molly Chester is a dreamer, a food blogger and a personal chef, and has a great love for food and how it is grown. Her husband embraces her passion, and together with his passion for wildlife, they carry out their ambitious plan. The Biggest Little Farm is an account of the first 8 years of life on the farm and the important lessons the couple learn. Directed by John Chester, this documentary is a testimony to the fact that nature is not always easy to understand because it is so utterly complex, but it’s still always worth the challenge.

The sustainability factor

Overall: 5/5

Starting out with a patch of land that is devoid of nutritious soil, and seeking to create a dynamic, self-regulating ecosystem, the Chesters quickly discover how tricky it is to restore what has been broken down in nature. With the help of Alan York, an expert in biodynamic farming practices, they set out to reawaken the ecosystem. John, quoting Alan York, describes their journey: “It's a simple way of farming. It's just not easy.”

With a focus on biodiversity, the Chesters raise sheep, cows, pigs, chickens and ducks, and grow a couple of varieties of fruits and vegetables on their approximately 80 ha farm. We’re talking more than 200 varieties of fruits and vegetables on their farm today! True to their word, pesticides are a no-go for the couple, even when pests start destroying the valuable fruits of their labour. Through it all, they continuously attempt to balance the needs of the farm with that of wildlife.

The Viatu review

Themes:

The Biggest Little Farm is both hopeful and realistic: a blissful story out of a children’s book and a tale of struggle and loss sprinkled with science and facts. Invaluable wisdom is gained by taking a step back and observing what nature is trying to communicate, and everything is tied together when seeing what even a small group of determined people can do to change their surroundings for the better. Is it ambitious? Yes. But do they make an impact? Without a doubt.

Production: 

This documentary boasts fascinating cinematography showing the effects of nature, capturing the good and the bad with regard to how restorative and destructive nature can be. While the film certainly benefits from John Chester’s background in cinematography, it also features some endearing hand-drawn animations that illustrate the couple’s idea of farm life. The film’s content ranges from adorable animal footage and night vision clips of sneaky critters, to impressive drone shots showing the progress of the farm, underscored by what can only be described as a truly enchanting soundtrack.

What makes it different: 

The Biggest Little Farm covers a lot in a mere 91 minutes, without losing the viewer along the way. It’s raw, it’s a learning process, and it hits close to home. The characters involved in the farm inevitably make a few mistakes, but they keep on trying. The stakes are high but you will find yourself rooting for them and learning every harsh lesson with them. The principles are relevant for everyone, even for those not about to move to a farm anytime soon.

This month’s Netflix and Change teaches us a valuable lesson: setting things right with nature is going to take hard work and a lot of patience, but we can start today and see a world change before our eyes. Follow the Viatu journey on Instagram to see how we are creating a new kind of travel with a love for nature and people at its core.