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The New Alchemists

1974 28 min
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This short documentary profiles a community engaged in developing sustainable living methods, including food production and small-scale solar and wind technology, on a farm in Massachusetts in the 1970s. Well before sustainability was a mainstream concern, these prescient innovators attempted to create a vision of a greener, kinder world. "Think small," say the New Alchemists. "Look what thinking big has done."

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The New Alchemists

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This short documentary profiles a community engaged in developing sustainable living methods, including food production and small-scale solar and wind technology, on a farm in Massachusetts in the 1970s. Well before sustainability was a mainstream concern, these prescient innovators attempted to create a vision of a greener, kinder world. "Think small," say the New Alchemists. "Look what thinking big has done."

  • director
    Dorothy Todd Henaut
  • producer
    Colin Low
  • executive producer
    Len Chatwin
  • commentary
    Stanley Jackson
  • camera
    Martin Duckworth
  • sound
    Hughes Mignault
  • editing
    Torben Schioler
  • sound editing
    Gérard Sénécal
  • music
    Marsha Johnson
    Joe McIlvine
    Mary Lou McIlvine
    Robert Karstens

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Education

Ages 13 to 18
Study Guide
School subjects

What are the differences between cooperative farms, family farms and industrial farms (also known as factory farms)? Describe how the New Alchemists have organized themselves. What are the goals of their farm (social and/or environmental)? How do they try to achieve these goals? Describe some of the items they have created with everyday items or reclaimed items. How do these items address their goals? Identify the environmental cycles that are prioritized on their farm.

The New Alchemists
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