About the film 

With only 60 years of farmable soil left on Earth, “The Need To GROW” offers an intimate look into the hearts of activists and innovators in the food movement: an 8-year-old girl challenges the ethics of a beloved organization; a renegade farmer struggles to keep his land as he revolutionizes resource efficient agriculture; and an accomplished visionary inventor faces catastrophe in the midst of developing a game-changing technology. “The Need to GROW” delivers alarming evidence on the importance of healthy soil — revealing not only the potential of localized food production working with nature, but our opportunity as individuals to help regenerate our planet’s dying soils and participate in the restoration of the Earth. 

About the series 

Athena Cinema, University Libraries, and Environmental Studies Program present the 8th annual Sustainability Film Series. In keeping with all previous series, each film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring faculty members, students, and community members. The events will be virtual. Following each film, we invite audience members to join us for a virtual panel discussion hosted by faculty members, students, and community members. Please join us for a conversation following these beautiful, thought-provoking, and timely films. 

The series is possible thanks to the support of: Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, OHIO Honors Program, Honors Tutorial College, Cutler Scholars, Office of Sustainability, Center for Campus & Community Engagement, and others.