the Biggest little Farm

It’s official. I am ready for the farm life!

Most people do not realize that the Central Coast of California, is one of the largest agriculture producers. Surrounded by agriculture, dairy farms, FFA, livestock, rodeo, trucks, vineyards, this is not the California that is portrayed through the eyes of Hollywood. The Rodeo Drive of Central California is lined with Barrel Racers, Bronc Riders, and local farmers, not Lamborghini’s, high-end call girls, and the Kardashian’s.

I remember seeing the trailer for this movie and thinking that it looked fascinating. Not just because the cinematography looked so brilliant and clear, but because it was based on a farm from my home state of California, and I am all about seeing my home on the big screen. Maybe it wasn’t shown on the all of the big screens around the country… But, that’s okay because I found it on my small screen of 42 inches.

John Chester ~

This all started with a promise that we would leave the big city and build a life in perfect harmony with nature.

I know, based on the description, it sounds like one of those movies that will bore you with all of their conservation talk with messages of “going green”, “live off the earth”, “save our planet”, and other new age lingo. To me, this was not the case at all! In fact, if this movie had been around when my children were younger, it would have played continuously, I am sure!

While the film is touted as a ‘documentary’, it feels anything but. It feels like you are watching a very personal movie starring John and Molly Chester, along with their dog Todd, and beloved pig Emma. You meet caretakers Rafael and Flavo, along with the Chester’s mentor, Alan York.

What you see are two people that want to live a simpler life on a bio-diverse farm. Although the movie is uplifting, it also proves that the reality of farming is not always pretty. Yet, the movie gives you hope, and teaches you lessons along the way about the circle of life. For instance, at one point, John was having increased frustration with setbacks at the farm. He noticed that Todd (his dog) would often sit and watch how everything was going on. This observation encouraged John to do the same thing, and he realized how the animals and agriculture worked together as one, and made some adjustments. Watching this movie is proof that things don’t change overnight, and you need to persevere, try a different technique, and just keep going!

Filmed with state of the art cameras, you will see the farm grow from eight years of dry hard dirt, to an abundance of diverse plants, farm animals, and fruit trees. Kids will love watching the closeups of snakes slithering, gophers popping out of holes, bees buzzing, lambs hopping through the fields, piglets playing in the mud, and everything else nature has to offer. Okay, yes… I loved these things, too. But, the breathtaking views… Stunning!

Having now watched this movie, it reinforced my craving of simplicity, green pastures and tractors in the field. But, I also realize that had I not experienced a way of life away from it, I may not have realized how precious it is.

Apricot Lane Farms located in Moorpark, California. They offer tours and even have merchandise of Emma! Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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