Details about the 2012 Festival:

International Festival of Documentary Films on Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Sustainable Development, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, lsff.cz

Life Sciences Film Festival Call for Entry: lsff.cz/en/akt/73

Our conversation with the LSFF Program Director, Štěpán Alexander:

AH:How did the get it’s start?

SA: The idea to realize an interdisciplinary film festival on the grounds of The Czech Univesity of Life Sciences in Prague has kind of been there from the start of our studies at CULS. As for us the two brothers (Stepan and Martin Alexander) studying ecology and forestry and simultaneously providing czech subtitles to audiovisual works presented at the film festivals like Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Febiofest, Prague Short Film Festival, Ecofilm and others events, film has become something like an annual panoramic reflextion of the world for more than a decade now. So when the university came out with a formal offer of collaboration with civic organizations we had to understand that as an invitation not only for what we have learned but mainly for the filmmakers interested in life sciences.

AH:How many films were screened in the 2011 Festival?

SA: The first year of the festival finished on Friday October 21 and the total of 132 films from 28 countries were shown, 46 documentaries took part in the competition. The screenings were followed by discussions, seminars and forums with the participation of filmmakers and experts from the academic world.

AH:What kinds of films are you hoping to see in the 2012 Festival?

SA:The official selection LSFF 2012 will bring the latest documentaries about agriculture sciences, food production and sustainable development from all over the world.

About Harvest, LLC shares stories about food and agriculture. Subscribe to receive stories about the science, history and relevance of agricultural crops grown and harvested around the world.

Video by: Rick Gibb and Jim Hawkins

From the filmmakers:

Sean Quinn, curator of the Moynalty Steam Threshing Museum explains the practical use of this bucket.

About Harvest, LLC shares stories about food and agriculture. Subscribe to receive stories about the science, history and relevance of agricultural crops grown and harvested around the world.

For more information visit: wefarm.info

The filmmakers behind the story are Lisette & Ryan Cheresson. For many months they have been traveling around, across and through Latin America on a mission to connect with the people they meet and to share their stories.

Video by:Cheresson Docs

From the filmmakers:

“Tradition—not a revolution”

German Soto talks about cultivation in the indigenous Moseten community, located downriver from Rurrenabaque in the Bolivian Amazon. The community’s methods of farming are about as organic and local as it gets, but they farm this way because it’s tradition—not a revolution.

To view more of their adventures visit: cheressondocs.com

Trailer & film by: 1080 Films From the Mark Dodd, the filmmaker:

Winner of 7 international film awards, The Man Who Stopped the Desert is a one hour feature doc telling the story of Yacouba Sawadogo, an African peasant farmer who has pioneered a technique that reverses the process of desertification. Made by Mark Dodd, 1080 Films.

Video by IcicleTV

To learn more visit //http://icicle.tv/

From the Filmmakers:

Did you know that you can donate the produce you grow and cannot use? Many of us have trees with fruit left to be picked at the end of the season, or more veggies than we can handle on our own during harvest. Rather than tossing those goodies from the garden that you just weren’t able to eat or process, think about donating them to your local food bank.

Or, better yet-plan ahead now and plant an extra row for those in need. Alison Detjens, Gleaning Coordinator for Community Farm Connection, is working connect local farmers and gardeners to gather leftover produce and help to feed those that otherwise may not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. When we think of food banks, the first image that comes to mind is usually canned food and while non-perishables are still a staple for local foodbanks, fresh produce is always appreciated as well.

We spoke to Alison and Bob Mark, manager of the Community Cupboard about the Gleaning Project and Plant A Row initiative. Now is the time that greenthumbs begin to get antsy about digging in the dirt and starting plants. Gardeners-if you’ve got your plans all mapped out on graph paper and your seed packets ordered, please consider planting a little extra this spring. If you live in Leavenworth, your local food bank is Community Cupboard and they are open six days a week to receive your donation. There are many foodbanks throughout North Central Washington as well if you live in the Greater Wenatchee Valley.

Every little bit counts. And, as we learned while producing this piece, it’s a need that isn’t going away. For more information, check out the video or go to: communityfarmconnection.net.

Video by: EatTV

From Eat TV:

If you take a drive up the North Fork of Long Island, catch a short ferry ride with breathtaking views and wind your way through the rural area streets of Shelter Island, NY, you’ll begin to hear the music coming from Sylvestor Manor Farm. This former plantation has been in the hands of the same family for 15 generations. Benett Konesni is the descendant of Nathaniel Sylvestor, who started the plantation in 1652.

Sylvestor Manor acts as a time capsule which has recorded every major era of food in America; The Native American Era, plantation era, Revolutionary War enlightenment era, and the era of industrialized food. Sylvestor Manor is currently working towards a fifth, sustainable era by embracing its history. Young volunteers come from all parts of the country to work on the organic farm that distributes its crop through a farm stand, as well as working with local vendors and farmer’s markets.

The workers typically have some background in music and are reviving the old traditions of field work songs not only to make the day easier, but also to distinguish themselves. Reviving the old traditions from the farm’s past sets them apart to help sell crops, and the profits from which go towards restoring and maintaining the historical manor in what Konesni calls a system of “preservation through cultivation.”

Video by: MU News Bureau and Nathan Hurst

From the MU News Bureau:

Researchers at MU are studying all aspects of food production through a collaborative effort called “Food for the Future.”

Food for the Future is one part of a larger initiative called Mizzou Advantage, which brings together experts from all corners of MU’s many different schools and colleges to research and collaborate.

For further information visit: www.missouri.edu

The Gatsby Charitable Foundation is working with the Tanzania Cotton Board to transform the country’s cotton & textile sector.

Gatsby is a trust set up by David Sainsbury to realise his charitable objectives in a number of different areas. Since 2007 it has been working with the Tanzania Cotton Board to transform the country’s cotton & textile sector. Among a series of interventions along the whole value chain, it is promoting conservation agriculture farming practices to increase soil fertility, retain moisture through dry spells, and boost yields. This video explains the benefits of conservation agriculture for Tanzanian cotton production and outlines how it is being disseminated to farmers across the country.

Find out more at: Gatsby.org.uk