Our Story

Rhythms of the Land is a multimedia documentary project by cultural anthropologist/filmmaker Gail P. Myers, Ph.D.

In the Summer of 2012, Dr. Myers, drove 10,000 miles in four weeks to cover 10 southern states (South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Florida) interviewing over 30 African American sharecroppers, tenant farmers, and 3rd to 5th generation farmers.

​

Each interview represents generations of cultural traditions, family farming and a farming philosophy that honors farming land, sustainability, their communities, and unimaginable perseverance despite predatory lending practices and policies levied against them.

​

Hearing their stories will honor these US farmers, sharecroppers, and gardeners and spotlight the connection between biological and cultural diversity connect us to our roots, especially our future farmers, and youth.

The film will spotlight an array of farmers, rice growers, hog ranchers, dairy ranchers, barefoot farmers, sharecroppers, basket-weavers, shrimp farmers, vegetable farmers, and gardeners, each sharing their memorable stories with us for the first time.

​