CSAbyCYCLE Video

Our intention is to produce an educational documentary video package with footage from the bicycle trip, in order to further build the CSA movement in Michigan and the Midwest. At this early stage in production, a number of video projects have been identified. These projects will be bundled together on a DVD for distribution to CSA farmers, community activists, and education and outreach specialists in Michigan. The videos will also be put up on the web as streaming video to reach a wider audience. The projects intended at this point include:

1. “What is CSA?”, a 20-30 minute documentary exploring the ins and outs of CSA farms, what they are, and how they impact family farm economy, community, and land stewardship. Drawing from the wide variety of farms visited during the tour, this documentary will provide a deeper understanding of CSA’s to an audience that has heard of CSA but wants to know more. It will be useful to CSA farms and community activists as an education and farm recruitment tool, and to Extension as an in-house and community education tool.
2. “CSA by CYCLE tour” – This documentary will focus more on the bicycle journey, providing a ‘human interest story’ that will expose a wider audience to CSA. It may be appropriate for local cable viewing, film festivals and public television.
3. “Talkin’ CSA Blues” – a music video featuring an informative song by Michigan folk musician Seth Bernard and video footage from the CSA by CYLE tour. See http://www.glbconference.org/csatour2006/csa-trailer.html for a preview.
4. “Feature Farmer” shorts – brief montages showing particular farmers and farms, telling their story and philosophy, etc.
5. as we go through the video, it seems likely that other shorts/ extras will pop up, like “bloopers” footage, or a track aimed at farmers that highlights growing practices and other technical details of CSA operation.