Film Screening and Discussion: Urban Roots

Posted by on February 06, 2012

LOCALLY GROWN

Urban Farming is the topic of the timely documentary film by Tree Media, Urban Roots, which explores the urban farming phenomenon in Detroit, Michigan. The Westphal College at Drexel University will host the Philadelphia theatrical premiere of Urban Roots on Tuesday, February 7th at 7:30 PM in the Bossone Research Center (3140 Market St.). Food grown locally in community gardens and urban farms is starting to make a positive impact for families faced with food challenge issues in Philadelphia. A panel discussion following the film with members of Philadelphia’s urban farming community, and the film’s director, Mark MacInnis, will focus on Philadelphia urban farming and how to get involved.

Prior to Urban Roots, will be a screening event of Film & Video alum Clay Hereth’s documentary short West Philly Grown at 6:30 PM. Clay’s film tells the story of the Mill Creek Farm, an urban farm at 49th & Brown Sts in West Philadelphia that grows a variety of organic vegetables, herbs, and fruits in addition to providing educational programs on urban farming. Please consider arriving early as we’ll be providing information on Philadelphia’s urban farming movement and ways you can get involved.

The event is $5 for the general public and free with a Drexel ID, for more information call 215-895-1029 or visit http://www.drexel.edu/westphal. Our partners in presenting this are event include Drexel Green, The office of University & Community Partnership, Westphal’s Film & Video program and Westphal’s departments of Architecture & Interiors and Media Arts.

Panelists include:

Dr. Eugenia Victoria Ellis: Drexel professor and co-director of the Drexel Engineering Cities Initiative, moderator
Phil Forsyth: Orchard Director, Philadelphia Orchard Project
Ryan Kuck: Founder Preston’s Paradise and farm manager Greensgrow
Mark MacInnis: director, Urban Roots
Dan Pohlig: Communications chair, South Philly Food Co-op
Johanna Rosen: Co-Founder/Co-Director, West Philadelphia’s Mill Creek Farm
Sarah Wu: Mayor’s Office of Sustainability