Thursday, October 13th begins Monadnock Farm and Community Connection’s 4th Annual Feast on This Film Festival here in the beautiful Monadnock Region. This four day event features films that highlight a diversity of issues and viewpoints related to food and agriculture that will spark conversation on what we value about the farms in our region, and action we can take to support them.
Films are being screened at a variety of locations scattered in and around Keene, New Hampshire including here at our very own farm in Walpole. The festival kicks off with a progressive dinner in Keene Thursday evening with a local beer and cheese tasting at Brewtopia then moving downtown to the Works Bakery Cafe. Films over the four days will also be shown at a local cafe, coffee shop, library, bookstore and in some cases a lively discussion is planned to follow.
This Saturday, October 15th, our sustainable pasture-based farm will be the site of one of the feature films of this year’s festival – The Farmer and the Horse. From award-winning journalist Jared Flesher, this film digs into difficult questions about sustainability, self-sufficiency, and why we do the work we do. Flesher’s film goes beyond the usual platitudes of smiling organic farmers talking about the good life. Farming is hard work, especially if you don’t use a tractor. This is a documentary everyone who cares about land use, the environment, and good food should see. Our event will begin at 2pm with a tour of our farm and discussion of our sustainable farming methods with lots of opportunity for questions. Then we’ll gather in our four story, century-old barn and sit on hay bales to snack on freshly popped popcorn while viewing the film. Alyson’s Orchard will be donating some of their fresh tasty apples for the event as well.
Each film has a suggested donation of $2 at the door or festival passes are available for a suggested donation of $10 each. For more info visit www.feastonthis.org or call 603-756-2988 x116.
With the foliage arriving later than usual this year, the fall color should be just about peak this weekend. We’re very fortunate in this area to have such a wealth of thriving agricultural enterprises. Apples at Alyson’s Orchard are at their peak right now, Walpole’s Farmers’ Market Friday afternoon will be brimming with all the fall harvest has to offer, wine tastings both Saturday and Sunday at Walpole’s own Walpole Mountain View Winery, of course Walpole’s own Burdick Chocolates, Walpole Creamery Ice Cream, Boggy Meadow Farm Cheese, several farmstands, a corn maze and more! Why not make a weekend of it and come stay at our New England country Inn? Either way, hope to see you at the farm on Saturday!
Innkeeper The Inn at Valley Farms