Agriculture Company Shares Story of Gay Farmers in Docu-Series 'The Heart of the Farm'

Corteva Agriscience has launched 'The Heart of the Farm', a new documentary series that shares the untold stories of the people who grow our food. The multi-part series challenges perceptions of the farming community by amplifying the diverse experiences and voices of farmers across America. 

The first installment of the series, 'Growing with Pride', debuts during Pride month and spotlights Leon Etchepare, a 4th generation farmer at Emerald Farms based in Orland, CA. In the episode, Leon opens up about coming out to his parents, the life he is building with his long-time partner, Andrew Pentecost, and the experiences he has had as a gay man in an industry not often considered as a place where LGBTQ culture thrives. Film and campaign assets here.

Emily Clark, associate creative director at Ogilvy and director of the film, said: “As marketers, we have tremendous power to affect whose stories are told. As a queer director, this is a very meaningful project for me to bring people who haven’t had the opportunity to share their story to the forefront. Andrew and Leon represent an industry moving in the right direction — towards a more inclusive and supportive space.” 

“It takes courage to own your truth. In an industry that is often cautious of being different, being present as your true, whole self at work can sometimes be a challenge. While our remote work environment and social distancing has provided a physical buffer for some, where our hearts lie has not changed,” Rajan Gajaria, Executive Vice President of Business Platforms at Corteva Agriscience wrote on LinkedIn. Commenting on the first installment of the series he said: “This is a story about farmers and their commitment to the land – their work growing a variety of crops including tree nuts and produce, their family and dedication to the legacy of farming, and how they Keep Growing both personally and professionally. Corteva is more than an agriculture company with diverse employees. We are an ag company that recognizes and honors our customers, no matter their gender, background, religious views or who they love.”