Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association’s (OEFFA) policy program will screen “Seed: The Untold Story” from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the Athena Cinema, 20 S. Court St., Athens. It will be followed by an expert-led panel discussion designed to raise awareness, inspire dialogue, and empower positive change.
The screening is free and open to the public.
“Seed: The Untold Story” follows the seed keepers helping to protect our 12,000-year-old food legacy, especially as it relates to promoting climate resilience and combatting corporate power. Few things are as vital and miraculous as seeds. Unfortunately, in the last century, 94 percent of our seed varieties have disappeared.
Featuring Vandana Shiva, Raj Patel and Dr. Jane Goodall, the film highlights the work of farmers, scientists, and Indigenous seed keepers who are fighting to defend the future of our food.
Following the film, there will be an expert-led panel discussion. The panelists include:
Lindsay Klaunig — During the bright and warm months, Klaunig grows a diverse array of veg, fruit, and seed crops in the Appalachian hills of Trouvaille Farm in Athens. During the dark and cold months, Klaunig makes confections and advocates for a more resilient farming future. This includes co-organizing a mutual support group for independent seed growers, called Seed Workers Organizing.Michelle Ajamian — Ajamian is the co-founder and principal at Shagbark Seed & Mill. Over the past 14 years, her focus has been to develop regionally based staple food systems that create strong partnerships between farmers and mills to grow, process, and market Ohio-grown dry beans and grains. She is also a founding member of the Craft Millers Guild and the Network Manager of the Appalachian Staple Foods Collaborative at Rural Action.Ronda Clark — Clark is the owner/operator of Blackberry Sage Farm in Amesville, and sells at the Athens Farmers Market and to local restaurants. She is an avid seed saver and saves around 70 different types of vegetable seeds, including beans, tomatoes, okra, garlic, squash and luffa. She focuses on Native American seeds and seeds that are native to the North American continent, as well as a few seed varieties from around the world. She has been saving seeds for 20 years.Christine Hughes (Moderator) — Hughes is co-owner of Village Bakery & Café in Athens. The business was created in 2002 to showcase local, sustainably produced foods and help build a resilient, people and planet-supporting food system. They integrate environmental and social activism into every aspect of the business. Hughes also serves as the Southeast Chapter leader of OEFFA. She is on the steering committee of Athens County’s Future Action Network, which educates and advocates for bold climate action, clean air and water protection, and environmental justice, and she helps lead the ECO-Coalition, and intergenerational activist resource in Athens.
The film is being shown with the help of sponsor, Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery. Its sponsorship of the 2024 OEFFA Policy Film Screening Series helps the organization showcase amazing films like “Seed: The Untold Story.”
