If you grew up on a farm in the 50s or 60s, you were "hippy-like" in the 70s or you are opposed to corporate industrialized agriculture you will relate very closely to this film. An amazingly complete filmed life-story of an inspiring character from preschool days through today when he is in his 50's. Two minor characters, John's mother and his dairy farmer neighbor add tremendously to the richness and 'human' qualities of the story. Emotion, humor, and inspiration for anybody who refuses to "go with the flow".On my way to the film I warned my wife: "This may not be as good as some of the documentaries we've seen lately." My first comment when the film ended: "I was wrong!" I hope people without a farm background will enjoy the story of Farmer Brown as much as I did.

Besides being a well done documentary with good technical aspects, and good informational content, this was as entertaining as it could be. AND, after seeing this at the Nashville Film Festival, I have been motivated to find a farmer like this, to support and to get food.The biodymamic farming principles explained in the documentary are used at a local farm here. They have improved the soil and the output of this local organic farm and will improve my life!We were lucky enough to see this at the Nashville festival and get to meet John Peterson and the director as well, and it was great! Rent this or see it if you can. And find somewhere to get Community Supported Agriculture food.

What a wonderful little film! This is much more than the old story about the American farmer's attempt to save the family farm. It is an historical document, of sorts, on the life of one Illinois man, John Peterson, his family, friends, and community. It took a little while for the film to get started for me. I had to get use to John's low-key personality, but as the film progresses, it reveals a complex, intelligent, and determined man, who's story is a unique one. Director Taggart Siegel, a friend of John's, sifted through hundreds of hours of footage, shot by himself, John, and home movies from John's own family. It is simply amazing to see such an interesting life story unfold before your eyes in less than two hours time. Compelling, educational, and deeply moving, it is a film you will hold dear to your heart.

A strange story for sure, but one that made me cry in public, which doesn't happen. Farmer John is a very unique soul, but a good one. Even if you don't dig the cross-dressing or the purity of his vegetables, the tales of farmers, the land, and the love of the good earth is incredible and one we should not forget. When the old farmer explains how once good farmland has been covered up by asphalt and subdivisions, if your eyes don't at least water then there's something wrong with you. I am a computer science professor who can't go without email for more than eight hours, but this film reminded me that my father was a farmer in the 1930's and made me remember how much I loved having a little garden on my parents' 5 acre garden when I was a little kid.This is a work of a man's lifetime, and the lifetime of a man who has done good work all his life. I'm a bit biased because I'm fortunate enough to know Farmer John a little, but I only came to know him after I saw this film and realized what a good guy he is. If it helps just one person or (more importantly) one farm, I'm sure he'll be happy.This film made me want to be a good guy again. I highly recommend it to anyone who eats food or longs for a reason to continue doing so.