The following article was written by Tim Gadzinski, a Marketing Associate at the Manitowoc Public Library.
It’s been a genuine honor hosting the “American Farmer” exhibition at Manitowoc Public Library over the course of the summer. The number of people that have taken in these spectacular photo-portraits has been incredible. As has the number of people that have shared the locations of their farming families from around the state—and the world—on an interactive map that accompanies the exhibit. At its most basic focus, it’s literally eye-opening to see the manner in which photographer Paul Mobley dispenses with the typical “farmer” stereotype, displaying that this backbone-of-the-country occupation is undertaken by all genders, races, and ages.
The exhibit is also of a powerful reminder that while we are thankful for the bounty that appears daily on our kitchen tables, we don’t truly spend much—if any—time reflecting on the people that make it possible for it to be there. However, seeing that this is a national touring exhibition, we thought it would be a good idea to create some programming that generated the same kind of awareness for those people that undertake this pursuit a bit closer to home. To that end, here are a pair of events coming up at MPL that shine a local spotlight on local individuals.
First, on Monday, September 23, from 6-7:30 PM, we hope that you’ll be able to attend “Running a Family Farm: A Panel Discussion” in the Balkansky Community Room. Farming is a profession not only plants, grows, tends, and harvests crops, but also battles the elements and contends with ever-fluctuating economic factors. It’s time we heard from the local farmers that tackle this endeavor.
Adam & Dianna Diehl (Adam’s Heirlooms), Ryan & Jackie Sullivan (Sullivan Family Farm), and Conor Benham & Jolene Meissner (Garden of Eaton) will be on-hand to discuss the work that they’re undertaking—the highs and the lows—as well as answering questions from those in attendance. It’s definitely a topic worthy of a community discussion.
Then, later that same week, also in the Balkansky, we’ll be presenting a screening of a multi-award-winning documentary that’s fresh off the festival circuit called “Greener Pastures”. Following four Midwest family farms over several years, “Greener Pastures” tells a story of perseverance and endurance within the farming industry in the heartland. It provides an intimate window into the lives of these multigenerational Midwestern farming families as they navigate the stressors that have contributed to farming having one of the highest rates of suicide of any U.S. occupation. Throughout, we see how farmers carry on in the face of these challenges and, ultimately, find hope in their successes. It is an underdog story of determination that tackles nothing less than the future of farming in America.
Manitowoc Public Library is thrilled to be screening this unrated 2023 documentary film at 5:30 PM on Thursday, September 26. Amazingly, one of the four farmers featured in “Greener Pastures”—Jeff Ditzenberger—will be in attendance for a special Q&A period following the film. Jeff is a corn and soybean farmer in Monroe, Wisconsin. Nearly 27 years ago, he attempted to end his life by setting a building he was in on fire. Today, he runs a farmer mental health nonprofit called T.U.G.S. (Talking Understanding, Growing, Supporting), traveling throughout the Midwest and talking to farmers about mental health, suicide prevention, and the stigma associated with depression. It’s going to be an incredible, insightful evening!
Because of where we’re situated and how integrated the profession of farmer has become in our daily lives, family farming is something that we’ve grown so used to seeing that it has nearly become a blind spot. These family farms are something that more-often-than-not we speed past as we rush from one thing to the next, perhaps briefly noting the serene charm of their pastoral beauty, but little more than that. Which is a shame. Because we really shouldn’t take them for granted. They have more than earned the expectation to be given the attention and respect tthat they deserve.
We hope that you agree and that we’ll see you at MPL for both “Running a Family Farm” and “Greener Pastures”.