Stewards of the Land follows of Stephanie, Ian, and Alfredo, three landless ecological farmers in Puerto Rico. Amid economic hardship and the looming threat of hurricanes in the US territory heavily reliant on food imports, they are determined to produce healthy food locally. The documentary showcases their resilience and determination as they navigate the challenges of farming without land ownership or capital.
As the trio strives to carve out a livelihood, the film highlights their unwavering commitment to providing healthy food for their community and protecting the environment. Despite facing seemingly insurmountable odds, they refuse to be deterred. Stewards of the Land portrays the sacrifices and dedication of these Puerto Rican farmers, emphasizing their forward-thinking pursuit of sustainability and self-sufficiency. The documentary captures their struggles and triumphs with dignified candor, offering an intimate glimpse into their lives and the broader issues of food security and environmental stewardship.
Through its compelling storytelling and authentic portrayal of the protagonists' journey, Stewards of the Land resonates with audiences, earning accolades such as the Audience Choice Winner at the 39th Chicago Latino Film Festival and the Best Feature Documentary at the 12th International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival.
There are a number of struggles the ecological farmers featured in this film must face. Key among them is the societal erasure of farming techniques through economic control. These folks are learning how to tend the land from scratch, a major challenge for anyone, let alone landless people. There was a quote that struck me while watching Stewards of the Land: “We have to advance agriculture [in Puerto Rico]... But who will sow the earth?”
This question is at the root of the documentary as we watch Stephanie, Ian, and Alfredo step forward and say, “I will.” It’s important to remember too that they aren’t just farmers, but agronomists, using the natural cycles of the land to help feed and protect their crops, creating something more akin to permaculture than the typical idea of a farm most of us hold. Within this framework, we see the three succeed and fail to varying degrees, trying the best they can to relieve some of Puerto Rico’s dependence upon outside sources of food. Highly Recommended.
Where does this documentary belong on public and academic library shelves?
Stewards of the Land belongs on both public and academic library shelves due to its multifaceted exploration of relevant themes such as sustainable agriculture, food security, environmental stewardship, and socio-economic challenges in Puerto Rico. In public libraries, it can be categorized under documentary films, environmental studies, and cultural studies. In academic libraries, it fits well within sections dedicated to agronomy, sustainability studies, Latin American studies, and social sciences, particularly focusing on issues of economic hardship, resilience, and community-based ecological initiatives.