If you don't ask for something, you're a lot less likely to receive it. Different variations of that statement have been made before on this blog, but today it reminds us of Victoria and Cammy, who not only put together a Kickstarter campaign - one of our most modern ways of asking for help - to fund their documentary dream, but also took the time to reach out to us for help in spreading the word about it. There's no guarantee that you'll get everything you ask for, but it's worthwhile to persist at the things you want most.
When did you know that you wanted to work in food?
Eating the right food became a lifestyle for us after a lot of trial and error. We'd be exhausted for days or couldn't sleep well, we'd be irritable or bloated sometimes. We decided that it was time to change our diets. We began juicing regularly and eating raw foods. It has absolutely changed our lives. What is really important to us is to know where our food comes from, especially the good food, and the farmers who make it happen.
How did you get your current good food job?
It came with a lot of hard work. After we decided that we wanted to make a documentary that featured the lives of organic farmers across the country, we knew the process would be a hard one. We are a young couple, right out of college, with little means to pick up and go, but we became determined to tell this story.
We decided that the documentary would be us WWOOFing (volunteering on organic farms) in all 50 states. We will be living full time in our RV with our three rescue dogs and exploring this beautiful country while we do this. We purchased the RV for $1,500 after I sold my car and record collection. Now we are in the process of renovating and getting ready for our launch in March of 2017!
The goal of our documentary, AgriCultured, is to focus on our journey and the lives of organic farmers. It is important to us that we show a true account of the lives of everyday organic farmers in America while also reflecting the value of social altruism through volunteer work. We value organic practices and want to educate the public about the environmental and health benefits of organic products. We will also be actively blogging and podcasting about our unique lifestyle and the things we learn along the way, so be sure to follow us! We already have a huge network and a kickstarter for the film, which happily reached its goal.
How did your previous work or life experience prepare you for a good food job?
This will be our first time dedicating our lives to a good food job.
What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome in pursuing your Good Food Job dream?
So far, this has been an amazing adventure which has come to fruition because of determination. We know, however, that once we are on the road we will be faced with numerous challenges, from breaking down in the middle of nowhere, to working hard day and night. We believe that organic farmers have a story to tell and we want to help them tell it, so we will absolutely persevere to the end of this project.
Name one positive thing that a former employer taught you that you continue to appreciate?
When I decided I wanted to move from New Jersey to Oklahoma for my college career, my boss at the time wrote me a check for $500 to get me started on my journey. I will never forget that feeling of support and kindness. To this day he remains one of my biggest fans.
What can you identify as the greatest opportunities in food right now?
Organic food, especially, has become exceedingly popular. It's important that we know where our food is coming from, what's in it, and how it's brought from farm to table. People are becoming more interested in the facts about their food and we'd love to be a part of that education.
If you could be compensated for your work with something other than money, what would it be?
Experience and networking. A network of well-established people who can teach us something is far more valuable than money.