Sustainable Film Summary

The 2016 documentary Sustainable, directed by Matt Wechsler provides interesting insights from a food activism perspective into various parts of dominant and alternative American food systems. Calling for a shift back to small-scale farming, the film uses various statistics as well as personal anecdotes to illustrate the benefits of doing so, as well as the dangers of the current model going forward. On the level of small farmers, the film explores the struggles and opportunities associated with maintaining small, diverse farms. Looking at the current dominant model, the film elaborates on some of the harmful techniques used on various levels of the dominant food system – or systems as it argues – and how they are negatively impacting American citizens. Finally, looking at sustainability in the broad context of both theory and practice, the film provides a call to action for the greater good. Going through the seasons of the year, this documentary uses these points and others to contribute to the argument for a shift towards a more give and take relationship with the land on personal, business, and policy levels.

Marty Travis and his family are followed throughout the film, as the viewer learns about their farm and associated operations. From the start it is clear that meaningful

That said, long term these practices are unsustainable and the reality is that the solution of greater rotation in crops also means less flooding and healthier soil during drought – mutually beneficial to the land, the farmers, and the consumers alike. This shows that apart from future generations, our lives become better via that repayment to the land as well – with greater access to healthier, more diverse