More Than Honey

“More Than Honey” is beautiful and heartbreaking, and therefore, a must-see film.

It focuses on more than just colony collapse disorder – though that is a major theme of the film – showcasing the lifecycles of hives in the industrial farm world, in the German countryside, and the far-from-tamed US desert.

I grew up around bees. My dad kept a few hives on a large plot of land on the outskirts of Linda. He left the bees pretty much to their own devices, though we’d ride out to hives every week or so to see how they were doing. They had access to orchards, grasslands, and gardens and were pretty much content. They were also the nicest, most docile honeybees I’ve ever met. We never wore protective clothing. We never bothered to smoke them. They allowed us to take a comb or so for our own. Those bees felt like a part of the family.

What a stark contrast my childhood experiences were to the industrial honey companies of today! I won’t go too far into it, as you need to come to the screening on Friday and see it for yourself, but it’s like a gut punch. I’m still in grief over my namesakes.

“More Than Honey” is an important film to see, important for the organic food movement, important for human beings – our livelihoods, our food supply, and our economy are all dependent on bees. It will screen on Friday, February 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the BriarPatch Community Room. Come early, as seating is limited.

Film tells the story of cooperatives in America, benefits Grange

“Food for Change,” a new documentary film about the history of the food co-op movement in the U.S., will be screened on Thursday, February 20, at The Center for the Arts.

“Food for Change” goes back to the Great Depression, through the idealistic 1970s, to the current resurgence of food co-operatives in America, tracing their unique historic place in the country’s economic and political landscape.

The film examines the key role played by consumer-led food co-ops during the decades-long debate over profit-driven capitalism vs. locally-controlled economic enterprises. The co-op movement’s quest for whole and organic foods, and the dream of sustainable food systems are traced, along with profiles of several current food co-ops that have revived neighborhoods and entire communities — right in the shadow of corporate agribusiness and national supermarket chain stores.

True to the spirit of cooperation, the screening will be a fundraiser for the Banner Grange, another grassroots organization with deep American roots. As are all the Granges, the Banner Grange hall, located on McCourtney Road, is owned by Grange members and operated on democratic principles — as are co-ops.

Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for an opening presentation by the Banner Grange, after which the 84-minute film will screen at 7:00 p.m. A donation of $5 for the Banner Grange is suggested for admission. For more information, contact BriarPatch at (530) 272-5333 ext. 127.

Living Downstream

“Living Downstream” is the documentary of Sandra Steingraber, PhD. The film follows the ecologist as she travels North America, trailing the journey of carcinogens that flow through our waterways due to industrial farming, all while exploring her own story of cancer.

Sandra strives to educate farmers, scientists, and politicians about cancer and its environmental links.

The film explores how the pesticides introduced after World War II are still impacting our lives and health today. Sandra’s journey is both personal and scientific. Her story in many ways parallels “Silent Spring” and the scientist, Rachel Carson, who was battling cancer as she fought to bring the harm pesticides cause into public consciousness.

At once powerful, poetic, and heartrendingly beautiful, “Living Downstream” will make you believe even more deeply in organic farming and its necessity in changing our world.

“Living Downstream” screens on Friday, February 7 at 7:00 p.m. in BriarPatch’s Community Room. Friday Food Films are free and open to the public. Come early, as seating is limited.