Why This Film

For more than a century, the Midwestern U.S.A. has been known as the Corn Belt. Over the last 60 years, farmers have increasingly focused on just two crops: corn and soybeans. But today, across the region, farmers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders are driving a renaissance in locally grown food.

The Diverse Corn Belt follows three innovators who are reimagining family farms, building new markets, and creating value-added businesses. Together, they demonstrate how greater agricultural diversity can improve soil health, strengthen resilience to economic and environmental challenges, and create new opportunities for farmers and rural communities.

More than a farming documentary, The Diverse Corn Belt shares the stories of the people working to grow a resilient future — one rooted in healthier land, stronger local economies, and a broader vision for the future of the Corn Belt.

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“More than imagining a future, this film introduces us to the people creating it.”

Kelsey Timmerman

New York Times Best Selling Author of Regenerating Earth

“This beautiful film gives hope to us all.”

Jonathan Lundgren

Ecdysis Foundation

Host a Screening

Why Host a Screening?

  • Spark community conversations
  • Inspire farmers and landowners
  • Connect educators and students
  • Engage local leaders
Ideal Hosts

  • Universities
  • Extension offices
  • Conservation organizations
  • Libraries
  • Community groups
  • Agricultural conferences
  • Farm organizations
  • Schools

 

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Download the press kit

MEET THE FARMERS

Landon Plagge

Landon and Anne Plagge grow a rotation of corn, soybeans, and food-grade oats on 4,000 acres. For over a decade they have utilized no-till practices while growing a diverse crop rotation, and a mix of cover crops – focused on economically and environmentally sustainable agriculture across the supply chain.

Wendy Johnson

Wendy Johnson and her husband Johnny run Jóia Food Farm, a diverse perennial based livestock and organic grain farm located near Charles City in Northeast Iowa. Wendy and her father co-manage Center View Farms which grows corn, soy, oats, rye and hay. They are currently working to integrate livestock into their row crop operation.

Will Glazik

Will Glazik is a fifth-generation organic farmer and co-owner of Silver Tree Beer & Spirits in Paxton, Illinois, where he and his siblings make sustainable, grain-to-bottle whiskey and vodka using crops grown on their family farm. They also grow food-grade corn which makes its way into tortilla and baking markets.

MEET THE FILMMAKERS

Wil Crombie
Wil Crombie is a Minnesota-based farmer, filmmaker, digital marketer and entrepreneur whose work bridges regenerative agriculture and digital storytelling. Wil’s work on his family farm, Organic Compound informs his creative projects, and his films at Man Alone Media shape how he farms—a symbiotic relationship that drives his storytelling.
Anders Gurda
Anders Gurda is a filmmaker and storyteller with deep roots in agriculture. Through Freestone Media, he creates authentic films that connect people to the land, the farmers who steward it, and the stories that inspire stronger communities and lasting change.
Matt Wechsler
Matt is an award winning filmmaker from Chicago and the founder of Hourglass Films. He is a self-taught filmmaker who grew up in a family video production business. After servicing 500+ clients over 12 years, Matt decided to hang up his work-for-hire hat to pursue his dream of documentary filmmaking. He has since been nominated for two local Emmy awards and has won several film festival awards. Matt’s passion to solve complex issues continues to drive his desire to make films.