News Article

The Gonzaga University Forum will present the documentary film “Broken Limbs: Apples, Agriculture and the New American Farmer” from 7-9 p.m., tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 26) in Jepson Center's Wolff Auditorium. A discussion will follow the film, which is free and open to the public.

The documentary by Jamie Howell and Guy Evans revolves around Wenatchee, Wash., “The Apple Capital of the World.” Wenatchee thrived for nearly a century as home to the Washington apple, but is struggling now as thousands of apple farmers go out of business. Howell and Evans created the documentary after Evans’ father, a Wenatchee apple farmer, was on the verge of bankruptcy. The filmmakers found the future of agriculture and apple farming looked grim, until they came across farmers known as the New American Farmers who practiced sustainable agriculture.

Howell and Evans believe sustainable agriculture could help farmers nationwide. “Broken Limbs” outlines ways individuals can help save America’s farmers. The film is one of many GU events focusing on the theme of food and agriculture this year. Other food-related events on campus include:

• “Theology, Ethics and Agriculture,” a lecture by Mark Graham, at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 1, location TBA.
• “Safe Food and Fertilizer,” lecture by Patty Martin at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 12, in the Jepson Center's Wolff Auditorium.
• “The Post-Industrial Eater: Aligning Ethical Values and Food Choices,” lecture by Ellen Maccarone, from 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 14, in Jepson's Center Wolff Auditorium.
• “Food for Thought,” art exhibition, Nov. 30-March 8, 2008, in the Jundt Art Museum Arcade Gallery.

For more information, contact philosophy Assistant Professor Ellen Maccarone at (509) 323-3955 or via e-mail at or English Assistant Professor Heather Easterling, (509) 323-6682 or . To learn more about “Broken Limbs,” visit the film’s Web site .