Muddy boots carved their way through waist high grass like a scythe dulled down from years of abuse. One after the other, they fought their way through the ankle twisting divots left by hooves of cattle. I followed as closely as I could to Matt and Bethany McCarty. My goal was to trace the edges of their lives on McCarty Farmstead in Utica, Ohio to create an observational documentary. My camera equipment dug into my skin just above my waistband — a habit which has left its mark after a year.
What began as an idea to capture the lives of small farmers in the U.S. quickly had me placing calls across the county and visiting the local farmers market in Granville. I spent hours shaking hands, collecting business cards and dialing up farms. However, nobody is exceptionally keen on a college student entering their life for a year with a camera and following their every move.
Nobody except Matt and Bethany. They had initial questions, but who wouldn’t? I was asking them to take on a huge endeavor with me that, full disclosure, I wasn’t always sure I would be able to pull off.
A year later, I finished and screened my film to an audience at Denison University. I was honored to be able to showcase this film, Dice in the Dirt, to family and friends on Earth Day this year.
After many days out in the field alongside Matt and Bethany, I gained a deep appreciation for the small farms in the United States and the farmers that make them function. There is a large culture in towns and cities around supporting local farms when possible. It is trendy to buy products from regenerative, organic farms and shop around the farmers market. How much do you really know about what goes into getting those products to the market?
The sweat which beaded and dripped off my brow after 5 hours on the farm was nothing compared to that of Matt and Bethany after their work day in and day out. They have a love for their work that few can understand. Despite its difficulties, they continue to chip away at building their dream farm in northern Licking County. It is hard. The couple keeps second jobs, too.
The question which looms over lots of small farms is whether or not it is truly possible to succeed in this life. For years, larger farms have been driving smaller farming into the dirt and out of the market. It becomes very difficult to turn a profit on a small farm with all of the expenses that go into it.
For Matt and Bethany, there is no other way. They love what they do, and at the end of the day, they love the life they have built together in Utica. Their operation is worth the gamble. All of my hours filming, editing, reworking and rewatching pull together a comprehensive glimpse into what it takes to be a small farmer in the United States today. I hope this film inspires its viewers to build connections with local farmers, and I hope it can bridge the gap between consumers and farmers. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I enjoyed making it.
Thank you to Matt and Bethany for allowing me into your lives. It was a blessing to be able to work on this project with you both, and I will cherish the memories forever.
Andrew Theophilus wrote for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. After graduation, Andrew will join the staff at the Idaho Mountain Express in Ketchum, Idaho as a general assignment reporter.
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