Ripe For Change

The IP Stanback Museum and Planetarium was host to the first film in the Southern Circuit Film series Ripe For Change, by filmmaker and producer Jed Riffe. About 60 students, faculty and community members attended and participated in a lively Q&A session afterwards. Ripe For Change illustrates the power pesticide companies have, and how they use that power to influence small farmers and ultimately determine what foods we eat, and what pesticides and herbicides are used in the production of that food.

Filmmaker Jed Riffe wanted to make this film due to a family history of agriculture. Originally from Dallas, TX where his grandfather owned and operated a farmer's market, he learned early on the value of organically grown food as he helped his grandfather operate the market. Formally trained as a journalist, he has been a magazine owner, businessman, and an activist, formerly against the Vietnam War, and lately against the use of pesticides. Later, Riffe became interested in film, and saw the power of film to organize and educate people.

(Pictured above left is IP Stanback Collections Manager Darryl Murphy, Filmmaker Jed Riffe and Museum Director Ellen Zisholtz; above right is Filmmaker Riffe with student Brittany Williams)

For more information, you can visit Riffe's Southern Circuit Film blog here.