Farms, Food, and Connection in the Hudson Valley

A Double Feature Documentary Screening and Panel at The Rosendale Theatre

Against the Grain is a HUDSY Original film that delves into the work and lives of West African rice farmers at “Ever-Growing Family Farm” in Ulster Park, NY. Importantly and incredibly unique, Ever-Growing Family Farm was the first commercial rice farm in New York state, planting their first rice crop in 2015. The farm is run by a husband and wife, Nfamara Badjie and Dawn Hoyte. Badjie is an immigrant to the Hudson Valley who is originally from a small village in Gambia, and he applies his knowledge of rice-growing from West Africa to the marshy soils of Ulster Park.

This Organic Life: Gopal Farm is an episode of a seven-part HUDSY Original series, This Organic Life. This episode explores Gopal Farm, located in New Paltz, NY, which focuses on growing heirloom Indian ethnic specialty vegetables, fruits, spices, and more from different regions of India including around the Himalayas. The film takes a deep dive into food production in the Hudson Valley and the benefits of eating locally grown food.

The panel discussion following the films featuring Reher Center Curator Dr. Sarah Gordon, Nfamara Badjie, Co-Founder of Ever-Growing Family Farm, and HUDSY Filmmaker and Co-Founder Angel Gates, will explore important themes of local food, culture, connection, and community through the lens of the Reher Center’s mission to amplify the contributions and voices of immigrants across the Hudson Valley.

The Reher Center For Immigrant Culture and History is a museum and cultural center that preserves and honors the legacy of Reher’s Bakery and amplifies immigrant stories of the Hudson Valley, past and present. The Reher Center’s mission is to foster belonging by engaging all people through culture, community, work, and bread.

Special thanks to The Ferriday Fund for supporting our programs and enabling us to provide sliding scale admissions for Farms, Food, and Connection in the Hudson Valley.

Questions? Reach out to [email protected].