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Film
Farm to Sea: Discover Grammy Award Winning Todd Hannigan's Flagship Film
7 mins
published
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Like the ocean he feels so deeply connected to after growing up in Ventura, California, Todd Hannigan’s career has taken him on some wild and unpredictable journeys.
From collaborating with Jack Johnson on numerous films to winning a Grammy in 2013 for Big Easy Express and composing the score for 11th Hour Racing’s Shaped by Water, his professional life has ridden its fair share of waves.
Now, the world-renowned sound designer and composer, and 11th Hour Racing Ambassador, has embarked on another journey—the role of director—for his new film, Farm to Sea.
The film (available to watch at the top of this page) sees Todd use his storytelling skills and artistic creativity to explore the deep-rooted connection between land and sea—and, by extension, our entire food ecosystem.
The film shines a light on the positive impact organic farming can have on our waterways. ©FarmtoSea
It’s no secret the Western world is at the center of a processed food crisis and with an overwhelming amount of information online, it can be hard to educate ourselves on what’s best for both people and the planet.
“It’s such a big issue,” Todd explains. “But I didn’t want to make a movie that was doom and gloom.”
Instead, Farm to Sea shines a light on the massive positive impact organic farming could have on reducing pesticides and chemicals in our oceans, rivers, and streams.
“I reached out to my longtime friend Steve Sprinkle, one of the most experienced organic farmers I knew,” Todd continues. “Steve was willing to be the subject of the first film, and because of our close connection, I knew I could tell the story in a way that felt personal and impactful.”
Supported by 11th Hour Racing as part of Todd’s ambassador program, the film goes behind the scenes with Steve and a small local community in the town of Ojai, California. Be prepared to encounter a few surprises along the way as you watch!
Todd Hannigan
“What will the land and ocean look like in 5, 10, or 15 years based on the choices we make today?"
When you spray chemicals to grow food, they run off into rivers and end up in the ocean. ©FarmtoSea
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The big question
Usually, the big question behind any piece of content created is ‘the why’. Why does it matter, why should people care and why are you doing it?
Todd admits he was “no expert” before embarking on the film project but the question of why was always a simple one to answer.
“Sustainability is really about the future,” he says. “What will the land and ocean look like in 5, 10, or 15 years based on the choices we make today?
“If we continue using chemical-intensive conventional farming methods, we’re left with contaminated soil, polluted water, and ecosystems that are suffering. When you spray chemicals to grow food, they don’t just stay on the farm; they inevitably run off into rivers and end up in the ocean.”
In Santa Cruz County in California, Todd discovered that 25% of all crops are now grown organically—the highest percentage in the country. It’s a shift that’s resulted in millions of gallons fewer chemicals entering the ocean each year. The hope is, that through awareness and education, other areas will begin to follow in their footsteps.
Todd believes it's a common misconception that organic food is always more expensive. ©FarmtoSea
Todd believes it's a common misconception that organic food is always more expensive. ©FarmtoSea
Education: The Key to Change
“Did you know, it can sometimes actually be cheaper to buy organic?” Todd says, smiling. “Me neither!”
He continues: “A common misconception is that organic food is always more expensive. But during the filming, I learned that buying directly from farmers, through CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) or farm subscriptions, can actually make organic produce more affordable.
“When you cut out the middleman, farmers get a fair price, and consumers get fresh, chemical-free food without the retail markup. Some farms even have volunteer days where you can help with harvesting and take home vegetables for free.”
Todd Hannigan
"A common misconception is that organic food is always more expensive."
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Todd is a renowned musician and sound engineer who won a Grammy in 2013 for his work on the Big Easy Express. ©ToddHannigan
But it’s not just about educating ourselves in our consumption, when asked about the accomplishment of Santa Cruz County, Todd shares another of his surprise findings.
“The majority of the shift is down to education,” he explains. “Santa Cruz has really strong schools of agroecology (a way of farming that works with nature instead of against it), and their graduates are becoming organic farmers. There’s also better access to land for these farmers, which makes a huge difference.”
A key multigenerational influence—not just in America’s organic movement but worldwide—was Alan Chadwick. A pioneer in the field, the British horticulturist's influence as a lecturer at UC Santa Cruz still inspires new generations of farmers today.
“He was regarded as a world authority on organic gardening, not necessarily large-scale farming, but the core principles of growing food without chemicals,” Todd says.
“His teachings spread, and many of his students went on to become very successful organic farmers, including Steve.”
Todd Hannigan
"I think of music as an honored partner on the journey of storytelling."
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After first picking up a guitar aged 14, Todd was instantly hooked. ©Todd Hannigan
Todd's career has seen him work on many films featuring the ocean. ©Todd Hannigan
You have the power
Aside from his brilliant musical genius, which is featured throughout the entire film alongside his direction, what’s the big takeaway from Farm to Sea and our chat with Todd?
“It’s simple, we, as consumers, have the power,” Todd explains. “Every small choice consumers make adds up. The more people buy organic, the more affordable it becomes, and the more farmers will transition to organic practices.”
And it doesn’t have to be expensive! Shop smart, shop local. There’s nothing more powerful than connecting the dots on an important topic such as global health, and Todd's final sentence really brings to life the connection from Farm to Sea.
“Sharing the film with family and friends is another simple step - especially for those who might not realize how their food choices impact ocean health. “Even small shifts in buying habits can reduce the demand for chemical-heavy farming, making it more viable for farmers to switch to organic practices.”
Learn more about Todd Hannigan and his work here.
Hero image credit: ©FarmtoSea
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