The Fertile Fields of Bethel

It is projected that by 2050, the world will need twice the food production of today. That goal cannot be achieved without productive soils, healthy watersheds, and thriving agricultural communities. Educating the public will be an important part of this equation. This is especially true in North Carolina where agriculture is the leading industry.

The Bethel Rural Community Organization (BRCO), in western North Carolina, has produced an informative and educational DVD which addresses these issues. In the DVD, farmers who love the soil describe their passion for farming; customers who love farm-fresh products enjoy their visits to local produce stands; and state and local agents who love their work explain how and why they lend support to the farming community. In addition, the DVD shows all of the seasonal tasks, from soil preparation to harvesting and selling, which must be carried out in order to sustain a successful agricultural operation. The Q&A section of the DVD can be used as a teaching tool in the classroom or as a handy reference for educating the general public about agriculture.

The DVD is divided into three sections of approximately 16, 22, and 22 minutes each. The three sections, along with the Q&A section, make the DVD ideal for a classroom setting. It is our hope that the DVD will be used to encourage young people to follow in the footsteps of our current farmers to help meet future food production needs.