Down to Earth
Film Festival:  Stories About Oregon Agriculture
September 3, 2011

Tell the Stories of Oregon Agriculture

The Down to Earth Film Festival invites aspiring and professional filmmakers to tell the fascinating stories surrounding Oregon agriculture and its ability to be economically, environmentally and socially responsible neighbors of the greater community.	Rules & Guidelines Consent Form
Stories should be in documentary format and highlight one of the following: the heritage of the industry on the modern farm conservation efforts of individual farmers or ranchers the pivotal role of agriculture to a largely urban society All films will be viewed by the festival jury. All nominees will be notified by email and awards to the top films will be presented at the showing on September 3.	Presenting Sponsor: Additional Sponsors
Event Details Where @ the Oregon State Fair, Salem, OR Format Documentary – 4 to 9 minutes (including credits) When Saturday, September 3, 2011 Event Start Time – 8 pm	$5,000  in cash prizes Best of Festival: $2,500 Runner Up: $1,500 Audience Choice: $500 Best Student Film: $500 Additional prizes will be awarded for best directing and best cinematography.

About Oregon Agriculture

• Oregon’s economic and social foundation was built upon the floor of natural resources. Settlers roughed the trials and tribulations of the Oregon Trail in order to farm the fertile grounds of the Willamette Valley. Even today more than 30 percent of Oregon’s economy is directly associated with natural resources. The root of Oregon is agriculture.
• Ninety-Eight percent of Oregon farm operations are family farms. In addition, more than 1,100 farms or ranches in Oregon have been designated with the Century Farm and Ranch certification, which indicates that the same family has farmed the same piece of land for more than 100 years. Maintaining viable farm and ranch lands is imperative to the family farm. Keeping the land fertile for future generations is vital to the family business, and many farmers and ranchers embrace environmental conservation and practice it everyday.
• The average American is now three generations removed from the farm. Less than one percent of the population provides the food and fiber necessary for the rest of the population to survive. In 1940 one farmer produced enough food for 19 people, by 1970 it was up to 73 people and by 2010, one farmer produces enough food for 155 people. The ability for agriculture to remain sustainable is vital to the basic survival of every human.