The Biggest Little Farm: John & Molly Chester | Rich Roll Podcast

I just watched the documentary 'The biggest little farm'-I checked it out from my local library but wanted to come on here to comment. This is a great film. I'm an environmental science major at 59 years old, have spent my life wanting to find/enable the balance these two strove for in this documentary. I don't want to own anything, I just truly believe in the way-this way. I cried through the last 1/2 hour, watching the necessary elements joining the group, watching them figure out to put the ducks in to eat the slugs and snails, the owls and hawks, the lady bugs for the aphids. No one gives the 7 years to create the whole ecosystem and each time another piece came together I couldn't stop crying. So silly maybe but I am too old to do this myself-also don't want to own anything so partly I was crying to think-how can I be a part of doing this here in Washington state? So many want the results but aren't willing to trust the 'whole ecosystem' game plan(which takes, among other things a lot of watching and creative/critical thinking along with massive work and perseverance). xoxoxoxo for making this documentary and for everything.

Their documentary is one of my all time favorites. What a beautiful ode to courage, vision, perseverance and harmony. So inspiring

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I am a Culinary Arts teacher at a small charter school in Sandpoint, Idaho. This film is what I have been looking for! Our school was growing geraniums in January, because it is an amazing greenhouse design. I convinced the admin that we should be growing fresh herbs and vegetables instead. That coupled with a grocery rescue effort has transformed the food insecurity culture at our school. I can't wait to show students this film. 💜

Awesome interview! I totally agree about the health crisis! That's why I started Peaceful Acres Farm in Howard Co Maryland where I turned 5 acres into a Hobby Farm with cows, goats, sheep, chickens, etc and my large organic garden. I often say the farm saved me as I fought everyday healing from Lyme to put one foot in front of the other. Now living our retirement in East Texas with nothing but sugar sand, I was at a loss. Compost compost compost! As I was listening I could see in my mind the amazing soil growing in our pine tree farm forest that the wild hogs turned up. I'm going to transfer some of that healthy soil to my small growing area. I'm constantly working to increase my bio diversity here in the middle of nowhere Texas!

Interesting what he said about how many gophers, squirrels, etc are killed for the sake of growing avocados. Makes you realize that even vegetarian options may not always be as simple as they seem.

Thank you for having a farmer on! I hope this film moves the needle on folks’ awareness of where their food actually comes from, and that people will make choices that support the reality of interconnectedness. I realized this very clearly over 30 years ago when I worked on a small organic farm in Vermont for a man ahead of his time, also by the name of Alan. He is still farming amazing produce today, and so are we after having been bitten by the growing bug. We have always had an endless knot on our farm logo. This summer a young kid at market asked me what the symbol meant. I jumped for joy. My hope is in the next generation, as they are asking the right questions. Maybe they will be able to make it possible for small growers to thrive, or at the least be able to pay their bills.

Biggest little farm is my all time wonderful movie. I watch it on dvd regularly to remind myself how we should all be living. Caring for each other and for all of creation. It was all made to sustain itself. It is humankind who has brought it to the point of no return. Molly and John have lived my dream and I'm so very greatful I have lived to see paradise earth. 😊🌎😊🌎😊🌎

I find it so interesting that so many people have negative things to say about the point that he did this interview being that he is vegan. He sees the bigger picture that shows that the we need to get back to the basics and farming is a huge thing we are failing at. Wether or not he agrees he is open to hear them and understand what they are doing how how they are helping us as people. People that try to force an agenda down other thought or only show a one sided view are not making the impact they could. Plus they talked a lot about soul and earth and repair what we have done to our beautiful earth which goes right back into feeding the plant that he grows and eats!

This movie is so beautifully layered and moving. As an experienced farm hand, I can say that they were able to capture the delicate dance of nature, and the struggles that come from being disconnected from the natural world. If we simply sit and observe, instead of fighting against nature, we can open our minds to how complex nature is and work towards sustainability. Nature is so much bigger than the human mind. Thanks to Rich for the interview, and for opening up this dialogue!

Man, I love the optimism that I hear from these wonderfully special and thankless people. Thanks you for having this conversation. Cheers.

"The moment that you start to think that you're better than another human being, or you're holier than thou, or stand from a place of judgment is the minute that we lose that ability to have empathy and empathy is what we need right now. That is what the world is starving for ..." Rich Roll PERFECT!

I just watched the movie. Surprised myself by crying beginning to end. This wasn't my first rodeo having grown up on a chicken+ farm in western NY. Love you all. Thank you😘😘😘

I've been fueled by Rich and his message for almost a decade now and I'm blown away by how far he's come along with this podcast. The amazing people he's bringing in consistently now and the production value with video and audio make me so happy to see that something that started so small and humble can truly blossom into world-class wisdom for the ages. Thank you for the gift you give to humanity. Keep showing up!

We drove two hours to see this film yesterday (in the UK). I knew it was going to be a must see film as soon as I saw this podcast. It hasn't received the exposure it deserved to get over here, sadly. But I am doing some nationwide talks next year covering many of the issues discussed as part of the material so will promote this in my talks. It was an emotional rollercoaster and an absolute credit to you both. I hope to visit the farm at some point in the future - the film affected me tremendously, in a good way. Thanks for this amazing podcast Rich. You do a top job!

I really felt John's remark about looking back at Earth from Mars and wondering if they might have been better off just working on their relationship with Mother Earth

I watched the movie and absolutely loved it!! I would love to have heard Molly speak more on your podcast, as she seemed to be the catalyst for the whole thing starting...., and she is an equal part of this whole saga. Thanks for having the two of them on your podcast!

Wow. I just finished watching this and was so moved by it. I wish, wish, wish farmers in Wisconsin and beyond could embrace this way of farming!

Rich, I am sorry you received negative feedback for interviewing this couple. I, on the other hand, was so excited this morning when I saw who was on your show, I almost didn't make it to work. I was on a plane when I saw this film. I was completely absorbed in the film and couldn't believe what I was seeing. For me, this was the first film that truly captured what sustainability means in a visual format. I chose to not think about the meat non-meat part of the story and focus on the extraordinary capability of mother nature and the courage it took this couple to stay with the journey. The cinematography was gorgeous, the story engaging - I wouldn't change a thing. This film has given me a tool to help explain why I am so impassioned by nature. PS: the way you three handled that part of the conversation warms my heart.

I watched this film the minute it came out online and I remember thinking, "Yay!! They really GOT IT!!" I'm an environmental educator and majored in communications, hoping to reach people with film and TV. I did produce some for PBS but not with the emotional connection that makes Biggest Little Farm so very powerful. I am so grateful for John and Molly sticking with it and seeing this through. I know from personal experience how hard it can be.

This is my favorite interview of the year! Cant wait to see what is next Rich! You are amazing! Thanks to the Chesters for all you do, PLEASE teach the world your ways!