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Join the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs for a film screening of “Lupang Hinirang,” a documentary chronicling the inspiring journey of Filipino farmers fighting for their land rights against powerful landowners, in the context of agrarian reform in the Philippines, introduced by the filmmaker, Ditsi Carolino. Following the screening, a thought-provoking panel discussion will focus on the film’s takeaways for building social movements and empowering small-scale, emerging and BIPOC farmers in Minnesota. Discussion will center on the global challenges facing emerging farmers and why we should care. Hear firsthand accounts of young immigrant farmers, women farmers and farmers facing barriers to land access and how they navigate the challenges of extreme climate, market monopolization by agribusiness, land consolidation, farm commodification and water shortage. About the film: “Lupang Hinarang,” translated as “blocked land,” is a play on words sounding similar to the name of the Philippine National Anthem, “Lupang Hinirang.” This documentary film captures the two-month walk made by Indigenous Filipino farmers from their mountain village of Sumilao Bukidnon to the presidential palace in Manila. The 2007 march was a peaceful fight for farmers’ land against powerful corporate interests and the prevailing government policy favoring land conversion. Through the walk, public opinion and social movement were shaped to pressure the government to overturn a Supreme Court decision and pass a renewed agrarian reform law that protects the landless farmers’ rights to their farm. Panelists: 1. Aison Garcia, 2023-2024 University of Minnesota Hubert Humphrey Fellow, developmental lawyer in the Philippines 2. Levi Welbourn, regional food systems coordinator at the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), emerging farmer 3. Naima Dhore, executive director of the Somali American Farmers Association