Since the 1970s, New England has lost an alarming 80 percent of its farmland, with Essex County experiencing the greatest loss of any county in Massachusetts. In response to this crisis, the Essex County Greenbelt Association asked Reel Quest Films to produce a video showcasing their farm conservation initiatives and the diverse tools they are using to protect local agriculture.

The video features interviews with several of the 80 farm families Greenbelt has partnered with to permanently conserve more than 1,500 acres of farmland. It was a privilege to visit these dedicated farmers, witness their passion and hard work firsthand, and—of course—sample some of the incredible products they grow.

Prior to this project, we produced a short documentary for Greenbelt about Iron Ox Farm in Hamilton and Topsfield. As they have grown their production over the years, it was awe-inspiring to return to their farm for this assignment to see how far they’ve come in creating community, healthy foods, and a family legacy on land that will be protected forever. You can watch the original film about Iron Ox here.