Reviews

From the Land Stewardship Project:

"The first indelible image in Dirty Work: The Story of Elsie’s Farm, is the smile on Joni Cash’s face as she holds up her filthy hands while planting on a dank spring day. It’s a fitting way to begin Deb Wallwork’s wonderful documentary about a year in the life of an organic vegetable farm in western Wisconsin. In the first few minutes of the film, Cash’s sunny attitude, grounded in the practical details of raising food, is a bit of a contrast to her partner Don Robert’s more big-picture view of what’s happened to our food and farming system.

“We’re making food, and we’re passionate about it,” Cash says with her trademark smile.

“Homo sapiens are done for—without the plant world we’re finished,” counters Roberts.

But as the film advances through the seasons, it’s clear Roberts isn’t as pessimistic as all that. In fact, the 70-something farmer is taking part in what is arguably one of the most optimistic endeavors there is: planting, caring for and harvesting food crops for the 50 families that belong to the Elsie’s Farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) operation." Read the full review here.




"Congrats on a really lovely film. It has the look and feel of a lovingly crafted, hand-made object. I love the way that it moves beyond considerations of the "plant kingdom" to ruminate on birth/death, failure/success, nature, time and the cycle of life. I especially enjoyed  the way you shot and edited images to evoke metaphors and not just "see a cow, say a cow."  So kudos to you!"

John Whitehead, Emmy award winning producer




"Dirty Work was a masterpiece!  Did you notice how rapt the audience was? Very few got up to go at the conclusion of the film; the rest wanted more."

Marguerite Andrews, Pelican Rapids, MN




From Rick Nelson's review in the Star Tribune:

"Anyone interested in small-scale farming and the movement's influence on the way we eat, cook and dine out, needs to see "Dirty Work," a fascinating and lovingly produced documentary by director Deb Wallwork from Minneapolis-based Redeye Video." Read the rest of the review here.




"I would highly recommend viewing this film.

The documentary follows the evolution of a CSA farm in Ridgeland, WI. The film reveals some of the hurdles the farmers face on a daily basis, ranging from rising costs of organic produce production to lack of interest from a consumer stand point. But the outlook is not entirely bleak. This film shows the passion and belief the farmers have in their project.

To watch farmers churning rich dark soil by hand and trowel was inspiring and refreshing. As an environmental studies student, I have grown accustomed to a view of agriculture as a mechanized industry of production. After studying the changes within agriculture which replaced shovels and pitchforks, with huge combines and genetically modified crops, it was interesting to see traditional farming happening today, and to get a sense of the challenges facing these individuals.  This film offers a unique perspective, from a voice which is rarely heard from: the farmers.  Growing up in a a suburb of Seattle, WA the only experience I have had with "farm life" is the view of fields from a car window. For the farmers of Elsie’s Farm, working the soil appeared to be therapeutic. “Dirty Work” has first hand accounts by the farmers who love their jobs and to see the happiness and the connection these individuals have with the earth gave me new insight into the value of CSAs and organic farmers. To view organic foods from a production stand point, rather than a consumer stand point gave me a more robust appreciation for the wholesome foods I eat. In our "sterile" culture dominated by hand sanitizers and dry cleaning, the farmers in Dirty Work show benefits of close interaction with the soil can have. I hope you all got a chance to view this insightful film!"

Andrew Friesen, Minnesota Historical Society's Institutional Sustainability blog