SANTA FE FARMERS’ MARKET
INSTITUTE’S FILMseries

As part of the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute’s mission to educate the community about food, sustainable agriculture and ecological issues, the Institute is, again this year, providing a film series for the public.

The series of five films, one per month from February through June, 2008, will be shown at the NM Film Museum (formerly Jean Cocteau Cinema) at 7pm one Wednesday a month. The films will cover a wide range of topics including artisan cheese-making, the reality of factory farms, New Mexico’s acequia system,
the mysterious disappearance of honeybees, the loss of farming traditions and an in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind patented, genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade. A number of the films have won awards, have been featured as
PBS specials and in major film festivals across the country. At each movie, the Institute will host a panel discussion, featured speaker, or other event that relates to the subject matter in the film and allows for audience participation. Admission is $9 for the general public and $7 for Institute members and farmers. Those under 18 will be admitted free of charge.

May 21/SILENCE OF THE BEES

First appearing on earth around 80 million years ago, up to 80% of the honeybees in the U.S. have vanished within the past year. Massive die-offs, first reported in 2006, have initiated emergency research around the world as the scientists race to discover the cause of this ecological disaster. SILENCE OF THE BEES explores
potential and consequences of the recent mystery.

June 18/RIPE FOR CHANGE

RIPE FOR CHANGE explores the crossroads in which California and many other states find themselves — fending off overdevelopment and the loss of farming traditions while simultaneously embracing innovative visions of sustainability. RIPE FOR CHANGE asks: What are the trade-offs between the ability to produce large quantities of food versus the health of workers, consumers and the planet? What are the hidden costs of “inexpensive” food? How do we create sustainable
agricultural practices? The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Film Series is co-sponsored by: Oppenheimer Brothers Foundation, Charter Bank and La Montanita Co-op.

GMO GREENCHILE?

This turn of events came despite last year’s non-binding Senate-
House Joint Memorial 38, known as "The Seed Sovereignty Declaration." Representing the efforts of a historic alliance between the Traditional Native American Farmers Association and the New Mexico Acequia Association, the Declaration states: "BE IT RESOLVED that the legislature supports the efforts of the New Mexico Food and Seed Sovereignty Alliance to prevent genetic contamination of native seeds, strengthen small-scale agriculture and increase the cultivation of native crops in their communities." The Declaration was a tremendous first step
but we must act now for comprehensive protection of New Mexico's agricultural
heritage from genetic engineering. The passage and insertion of SB60 into the state budget without consulting traditional farmers is an affront to the New Mexico Food and Seed Sovereignty Alliance and the spirit of last year’s Declaration.