The Real Dirt on Farmer John is a documentary about John Peterson, a farmer, artist, and revolutionary innovative thinker cast in rural Illinois. The film captures the rise and fall of the Peterson family farm and its resurrection through John’s courage to build a new form of community. Castigated as a pariah in his community, John bravely resurrects his farm amidst a failing economy, vicious rumors, and arson. Against all odds, eccentric Peterson abandons conventional chemical farming and fights local hysteria to create a bastion of free expression and alternative agriculture in the center of rural America. (82 min, 2005)


San Francisco International Film Festival 2005 – Golden Gate Award
Newport International Film Festival 2005 – Grand Jury Award
Nashville Film Festival 2005 – Grand Jury Award
Chicago International Documentary Festival 2005 – Audience Award
Slamdance Film Festival 2005 – Audience Award & Grand Jury Award
Wisconsin Film Festival 2005 – Audience Award & Grand Jury Award
Santa Cruz Film Festival 2005 - Director's Award
Inspiration Film Festival 2005 – Grand Jury Award & Audience Award

Santa Cruz Film Festival 2005 – Director’s Award

Bend Film Festival 2005 – Grand Jury Award & Audience Award

For more info see http://www.worldcentric.org http://www.uucpa.org