A Powhatan farm that grows fresh greens is hoping to win another type of green.
Manakintowne Specialty Growers is in the running to win $50,000 from a U.S. Chamber of Commerce video contest called Free Enterprise.
The contest asked small business and entrepreneurs to produce three-minute videos about themselves.
Manakintowne’s video takes a look at farm owners Jo and Rob Pendergraph and Peter Markham as they explain how they got into the business. Manakintowne sells its greens – lettuce, sprouts and pea shoots – to more than 40 locations, including Lemaire, Balliceaux, Mama Zu’s and Millie’s.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3VG34YTGfs[/youtube]
The video makes a tough business look easy, but it is clear from the footage that running the farm is a labor of love as much as it is for money.
Next week a panel of judges will pick the winners from the 25 most viewed entries on YouTube.com. There are 130 videos in the running.
Clay Broga, a Richmond-born videographer, produced the video for the farm with his friend Dan Hayes and they have agreed to share the winnings with Manakintowne if they are picked. Second prize is $30,000, and third prize is $20,000.
Broga works as creative director for a Washington nonprofit called Public Notice. The contest came to his attention by way of contacts at the U.S. Chamber.
Broga said he teamed up with Hayes and brainstormed ideas.
“We came up with five ideas, and Manakintowne was the best by far,” said Broga. “We got tons of footage, and really want to make a larger documentary.”
Broga worked at Manakintowne when he was younger. The farm has been running for 25 years.
A Powhatan farm that grows fresh greens is hoping to win another type of green.
Manakintowne Specialty Growers is in the running to win $50,000 from a U.S. Chamber of Commerce video contest called Free Enterprise.
The contest asked small business and entrepreneurs to produce three-minute videos about themselves.
Manakintowne’s video takes a look at farm owners Jo and Rob Pendergraph and Peter Markham as they explain how they got into the business. Manakintowne sells its greens – lettuce, sprouts and pea shoots – to more than 40 locations, including Lemaire, Balliceaux, Mama Zu’s and Millie’s.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3VG34YTGfs[/youtube]
The video makes a tough business look easy, but it is clear from the footage that running the farm is a labor of love as much as it is for money.
Next week a panel of judges will pick the winners from the 25 most viewed entries on YouTube.com. There are 130 videos in the running.
Clay Broga, a Richmond-born videographer, produced the video for the farm with his friend Dan Hayes and they have agreed to share the winnings with Manakintowne if they are picked. Second prize is $30,000, and third prize is $20,000.
Broga works as creative director for a Washington nonprofit called Public Notice. The contest came to his attention by way of contacts at the U.S. Chamber.
Broga said he teamed up with Hayes and brainstormed ideas.
“We came up with five ideas, and Manakintowne was the best by far,” said Broga. “We got tons of footage, and really want to make a larger documentary.”
Broga worked at Manakintowne when he was younger. The farm has been running for 25 years.
This totally tugged at my farmerette heartstrings. As I watch my little garden greening with beets, turnips, spinach, lettuce and a plethora of other growing things, I feel so connected with nature! I loved this story about the land and the people who obviously love it, respect it and nurture others through their efforts. Beautifully told!
This is the most affectionate video tribute to a way of life I have ever seen. And since Manakintowne Specialty Growers is one of our farmers market vendors, we feel rather proud of them and what they’ve accomplished and that they choose to call Byrd House Market one of their community markets. All the luck to you for this competition.
This is a beautifully done video tribute to some of the most dedicated and talented farmers in Central Virginia. Jo, Rob & Pete (and crew) are the hardest working folks you’ll ever meet, and are always ready to lend a helping hand to others to teach them to farm. I really hope they win, cause they are pioneers and really deserve the recognition and the money!!!