Land Conservancy and MCC Host Documentary Screening

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County (TLC) and McHenry County College’s Center for Agrarian Learning are presenting an inspiring new documentary film, “Seasons of Change on Henry’s Farm.” The free screening will be an online virtual event on November 12, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. The film’s director, Ines Sommer, and producer, Terra Brockman, will host a Q&A after the film. Register at www.conservemc.org.

For a quarter-century, Henry and Hiroko Brockman have run Henry's Farm, a biodiverse

family farm in Congerville, Illinois, about 2-1/2 hours from McHenry County. Armed with intimate knowledge of soil, plants and microclimates, Henry produces an astounding 650 varieties of organic vegetables every year. But despite the farm’s success and support from many loyal customers, Henry dreams of scaling back. The physical demands of farming have taken a toll on his aging body and, like his fields, Henry needs a fallow year. So he puts his former apprentices in charge while taking a year's sabbatical with Hiroko in her native Japan for some well-deserved relaxation and renewal.

But things do not turn out as planned. While former intern Kris Pirmann leads the farm crew in Henry’s absence, turbulent weather strikes and devastates some of the crops, undermining Kris’ confidence. Daughter Aozora, a recent college graduate and poet, returns to work long hours on the farm, while longing to write. Meanwhile, Henry’s sabbatical frees his mind enough to let climate change enter his consciousness, unbidden and unwelcome, and he realizes he will have to re-envision the future of farming — for himself and for coming generations.

Steeped in images of natural beauty, this thoughtful, engaging and quietly observed documentary shows us what’s involved in bringing good food to the table, and how biodiversity, adaptability and resilience are key to survival in an unpredictable future.

The November 12 program begins at 6:00 p.m. with welcoming remarks and a link to view the film, which is 83 minutes in length. After the film, there is a Q&A session with film director Ines Sommer and producer Terra Brockman.

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County is a member-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving natural, scenic and agricultural land.