How open tools are changing the future of farming

When you think about farming, you might picture a field of corn somewhere in the midwest or an orchard full of oranges in Florida. But what if we told you the future of farming lies in a classroom in the Long Island suburbs, a garage in the center of St. Louis or a snowy farmstead in Maine?

"Farming for the Future"—the latest documentary in the Open Source Stories series from Red Hat—explores how open tools can help the agriculture system tackle future challenges. Premiering at Red Hat Summit 2019 in Boston, the film explains how educators are putting open tools in the hands of the people who will meet those challenges.

An aging, shrinking farming population and rapidly changing environmental conditions are impacting the agricultural system—and that system is due for change. "Farming the Future" highlights a group of teachers, students, farmers and makers using open tools and open minds to spur that change with food computers, hydroponic and aquaponic systems and handmade soil sensors. Together they’re finding their place in the agriculture system that feeds us all. And they’re sharing what they learn along the way.

Like other installments of the Open Source Stories documentary series, "Farming for the Future" underscores the ways openness is a catalyst for change. Open source is changing the world in many different ways—not just impacting digital technologies, but also the way we work together to solve some of the world's most pressing problems.. At Red Hat, we've long understood the power of collaboration to produce amazing results. With Open Source Stories, we’re showing what people can do when they make things in the open—because when we share, we thrive.

The film features notable experts including: Dorn Cox, Ph.D., research director, Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment; Chris Regini, STEAM educator, West Hollow Middle School; Melanie Shimano, founder, Food Computer Program, and data automation and technology analyst, Department of General Services, City of Baltimore; Peter Webb, CEO and co-founder, MARSfarm; Drew Thomas, COO and co-founder, MARSfarm, STEM tech startup; and Chantell Mason, science and computer science educator, Steger Sixth Grade Center.

The documentary will premiere Wednesday, May 8, at 4:30 p.m. ET—simultaneously at Red Hat Summit 2019 and online. If you're attending Summit, you can catch the show in Room 210A at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. You can also experience the premiere from anywhere in the world at Open Source Stories: Farming for the Future.

For replays of the film, as well as more information about Open Source Stories and "Farming for the Future" visit Open Source Stories. Watch the film and share it with others using the hashtag #opensourcestories to help us shine a light on ways open innovation is changing the world.