
Chapter three:
A Place to Grow
During the production of "A Place to Grow; the evolution of agriculture in Fairfield, Iowa," we interviewed over 50 people who have farmed this land over the past 100 years. This film features stunning aerial footage as well as insightful conversations with experts in Native American seed keepers. It includes talks with today's small family farmers, big ag operators as well as organic farmers of all kinds. "A Place to Grow" tells the touching story of the people who have farmed on some of the most fertile soil in the United States - right here in Jefferson County Iowa.
“If you love Iowa...if you respect what our hard-working, big-hearted local farmers do for all of us everyday...you need to see this film.”
- Myron Gookin
“Stunningly beautiful and deeply moving. Cannot recommend enough! Run don’t walk to see this film”
- Erika Richards, Administrator, David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts
“At last! "A Place to Grow" tells the story of the origins of Iowa agriculture as part of Native American history and culture.
– Lance Foster, Iowa Tribe of KS and NE (THPO and Vice-Chairman)


















Producer & Director
Dick DeAngelis
Director of Photography
Jason Strong
Film Editor
Ed Murphy
Sound Editor
Tim Britton
Associate Producer
Ann Gookin
Behind the Scenes
See some behind the scenes footage from A Place to Grow and all the fun we had filming this project.
Watch about old time farming, as part of a unique look behind the scenes of A Place to Grow.
Contributors
Interviewees
Bob Bakker
Jonathan Buffalo
John Doershuk
Preston Duncan
Lance Foster
Chérie Haury-Artz
Kim Hollrah
Marlin Ingalls
Gary Nelson
Cindy Peterson
Homes Semken
Anton Till
Historical Contributors
Lynn Alex
Jonathan Andelson
Joe Artz
Mary Bennett
Dale Essick
Loyal Fulton
Agustin Harless
Steve Hyde
Laurie Lane-Zucker
Gene Luedtke
Trina Roberts
Teresa Rucker
Michael L Scullin
Mark Shafer
Mark Wilkins
Mike Zahs
Carnegie Historical Museum
Fairfield Public Library
Global Recordings
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Living History Farms
Morrison Natural History Museum in CO
State Historical Society of Iowa
U of I Mobile Museum
U of I Museum of Natural History
U of I Office of the State Archaelogist
U of I Old Captiol Museum
Sponsors
Corporate Sponsor
Sponsors
Major Sponsors
City of Fairfield
Greater Jefferson County Foundation
Libertyville Savings Bank
Cafe Paradiso
John & Kirstin DeAngelis
Everybody's Whole Foods
Bob Ferguson
Steve and Sally Johnston
Martha Rasmussen
Denny Adam
Gary Adam
Fairfield Iowa Convention & Visitors Bureau
Edith Jordan
Pat and Barb McMahon
Larry Nash
Fred Reiter
Sterling Foundation