Watch Farmageddon

Farmageddon (2011) is a thought-provoking, eye-opening documentary that delves into the controversial topic of the U.S. government's regulatory control over small-scale farmers who wish to produce and sell natural, raw, and unprocessed food to their customers. The film is directed by Kristin Canty, a mother from Massachusetts who becomes a passionate advocate of food freedom after her own family's health issues are resolved through locally sourced, organic, and unpasteurized milk.

The movie starts with the story of Linda Faillace and her small dairy farm in Vermont, which was raided by the FDA in 2006 due to its alleged distribution of raw milk, which is considered by the government to be unsafe and illegal to sell across state lines. Faillace, along with other farmers and food activists, interviews in the film to share their experiences of harassment, intimidation, and legal battles with government agencies such as the FDA, USDA, and CDC, who they feel are unfairly targeting them for selling fresh and nutritious food that they themselves consume and trust.

The film highlights the contrast between the industrial food system that dominates the U.S. with its highly processed, genetically modified, and chemically treated products, and the small-scale, sustainable, and nature-oriented farming practices that many families and communities are rediscovering and embracing. Through stunning visuals of rolling green hills, happy cows, free-range chickens, and industrious bees, Farmageddon portrays the beauty and viability of local food production that respects the land, animals, and people involved.

The movie interviews several experts and advocates who argue that the FDA's regulations around raw milk, for example, are based on outdated and flawed scientific studies that ignore the benefits of probiotics, enzymes, and healthy bacteria found in unpasteurized milk. They also point out that raw milk production has been legal and safe in many other countries, such as France, Switzerland, and New Zealand, and that it's often the institutionalized interests of big agribusiness and pharmaceutical companies that drive the FDA's agenda to limit competition and control the food supply.

The film also exposes the tragic consequences of the FDA's crackdown on natural food producers, such as the cases of James Stewart, a California farmer who was arrested and jailed for selling raw milk, or the Mennonite community in Pennsylvania that had its entire herd of organic dairy cows slaughtered by the government because of alleged health concerns. The emotional impact of these stories is powerful, as viewers realize that these farmers are not criminals, but rather dedicated and passionate stewards of the land and food, who are facing a daunting and unjust legal system.

In addition to the legal battles, the film also explores the social and cultural dimensions of the food freedom movement, as embodied by the Weston A. Price Foundation, a non-profit group that promotes traditional diets and holistic health practices. The movie depicts the foundation's annual conference, where hundreds of farmers, chefs, doctors, and activists gather to share their knowledge, stories, and recipes, and celebrate the diversity and richness of food culture.

Farmageddon ultimately makes a compelling argument for the right of individuals to choose what they eat and where they get it from, and for the importance of supporting local and sustainable agriculture as a key element of a healthy and thriving society. The film's message is not only relevant to foodies or health enthusiasts, but to anyone who cares about democracy, freedom, and justice.

Farmageddon is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 62.