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Poster for The Real Dirt on Farmer John

The Real Dirt on Farmer John

An epic tale of a maverick Midwestern farmer.

2006 · 1h 22m · N/A Documentary
Directed by Taggart Siegel

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Overview

An outcast in his community, Farmer John bravely stands amidst a failing economy, vicious rumors, and violence. By melding the traditions of family farming with the power of art and free expression, this powerful story of transformation and renewal heralds a resurrection of farming in America. Through highly personal interviews and 50 years of beautifully textured footage, filmmaker Taggart Siegel shares Farmer John’s haunting and humorous odyssey, capturing what it means to be wildly different in a rural community.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
88%
Tomatometer
Fresh

... outstanding documentary ...

Kevin Crust, Los Angeles Times
Fresh

It's fascinating that this portrait of the rise, fall and rise of Midwestern organic farmer John Peterson can be read in so many different ways, only some of which appear intentionally in Taggart Siegel's sympathetic documentary.

Ella Taylor, L.A. Weekly
Fresh

Of interest even to those not particularly interested in the subject of farming.

Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
Fresh

A beguiling combination of agrarian ode and The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, deepened by Peterson's square sincerity as he struggles to find himself in relation to his family's land.

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
Fresh

The Real Dirt on Farmer John turns into a portrait of how American family farming could blossom for a new century.

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

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