wfn.org | Willie Nelson, NCC Team Up on Family Farm Documentary

["Nat'l Council of Churches" <nccc_usa@ncccusa.org>]

National Council of Churches
Contact: Mark Smith, 617-354-2922, Carol Fouke, 212-870-2252
For Immediate Release
October 3, 2002

Willie Nelson and National Council of Churches Team Up
to Highlight Impact of Globalization on Family Farmers

SOMERVILLE, MA - Farm Aid President Willie Nelson and the National Council
of Churches have teamed up on a new documentary to highlight the urgent
crisis facing family farms around the world.  The documentary, "Strong
Roots, Fragile Farms," is scheduled to air on ABC-TV beginning Oct. 6, 2002
(check local listings).

Beginning October 6, local ABC-TV affiliates have a 30-day period during
which they can opt to air the documentary.

We are grateful to ABC and its stations throughout the nation who are
bringing this important story to their viewers, said Bob Edgar, General
Secretary of the NCC, and we encourage members of church and civic groups
to watch, perhaps even to videotape it for group viewing and discussion, and
to thank their local ABC affiliate for giving air time to the farm crisis
affecting many families around the world.

The Justice and Witness Ministries of the United Church of Christ and the
National Council of Churches produced this made-for-television documentary.

Hosted by Willie Nelson with a music score written by Peter Buffett
(composer of the Dances with Wolves soundtrack), the film explores the
real-life impact of globalization upon todays family farmer in Iowa and
North Carolina as well as in the Philippines and Mexico.

"Strong Roots, Fragile Farms" puts human faces from around the world on a
complex problem that many believe is destroying the family
farm-globalization.

Globalization refers to the increasing worldwide interconnection of the
products, services and markets of all countries and peoples coupled with the
growing access to and control of those markets by large and powerful
multi-national corporations.  Family farmers?local producers that ensure a
secure food supply for their community and country?are increasingly
threatened by global food traders who dominate markets across the globe.

Educational resources about the video are available at
www.ucc.org/fragilefarms
Materials include: a fact sheet, study guide, posters, electronic postcards
and suggestions for local promotion. These resources are designed to
encourage and broaden local discussion in churches, synagogues, mosques,
temples, union halls, cooperatives, and community centers-wherever people
think globally and act locally.

For more information call:
Mark Smith (Farm Aid): 617-354-2922
Carol Fouke (National Council of Churches): 212-870-2252/2227