The documentary Grown in Detroit, directed by Mascha and Manfred Poppenk, is an award winning documentary featuring urban organic farming efforts. Detroit was the home for mass producing automobiles, however, due to the decline of the auto industry one of the nation’s wealthiest cities has become one of the poorest. Nature in all its glory has taken over the empty lots and the city has started “greening” from within. Taking this opportunity into consideration the residents of the city have opted to use the land and its resources for their necessity.

The documentary is one hour in length and it follows students at the Ferguson Academy for Young Women, which is a high school for pregnant teens. They work in the school’s urban garden and learn how to grow nutritious food for their children. As one can imagine these teens aren’t able to cope in the beginning and they dislike farm work. However, as time goes by they see the fruits of their labor growing and then being sold for profit, which changes their attitudes completely. I think the insight into the lives of these teens can be an eye opener for the rest of us. We can learn from them valuable lessons about facing your struggles head on and coming out the victor. As well as, necessity being the mother of invention and how, when given resources, people will come together to reap the benefits.

Flatbush Food Film Forum presents GROWN IN DETROIT
sponsored by Sustainable Flatbush, Flatbush Food Co-op, and Ditmas Park West Neighborhood Association

WHEN: Wednesday, May 26th at 7pm
WHERE: Prospect Park Temple Isaac, 1419 Dorchester Road (entrance on Marlborough)

Free popcorn provided by Flatbush Food Co-op! Kosher snacks available for purchase

Novella Carpenter raises pigs, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, and goats on squatted land in downtown Oakland. Her hilarious memoir, Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer, tells the real story of what it takes to grow your own food in a city.

Copies of the book will be available for sale.