But now, against all odds in the empty lots, in the old factory yards, and in-between the sad, sagging blocks of company housing, seeds of change are taking root. A small group of dedicated citizens, allied with environmental and academic groups, have started an urban environmental movement with the potential to transform not just a city after its collapse, but also a country after the end of its industrial age. Urban Roots is the story of a group of dedicated Detroiters working tirelessly to fulfill their vision for locally-grown, sustainably farmed food in a city where people -- as in much of the county -- have found themselves cut off from real food and limited to the lifeless offerings of fast food chains, mini-marts, and grocery stores stocked with processed food from thousands of miles away. The people of Detroit have taken on the enormous task of changing this for themselves, and to under-stand their story is to understand how we can change it for us all.

URBAN ROOTS, directed by Detroit-native Mark McInnis is a documentary that tells the powerful story of a small group of unique individuals involved in Detroit’s urban agricultural movement.

The film follows the inspiring stories of several agricultural programs, each one designed to address a specific issue. Not only are the organizations amazingly productive and emotionally driven, but the people tilling the soil and picking the harvest have fantastic stories to tell.

Urban Roots Action Movement

While the documentary is the primary medium used to spread the message of urban farming, plans are already in motion to take the movement further. Beyond the film, a website will be created to build an online community around the film and its participants. This website will serve as a resource for people around the world to find information on important social and environmental topics such as food security, sustainability, and how to get involved.

An entire How-To section will feature important tips including things like how to start your own urban farm, how to test your soil and clean the soil of lead and other harmful elements, how to track produce-specific growing seasons, how and when to harvest, and even how to make your own honey. Unique and healthy recipes provided by both the site and the users will offer people great ways to utilize the fresh and healthy produce, helping everyone to save money, eat healthier, and promote organic and sustainable foods.

News articles regarding national and local food regulations and environmental policies will be added regularly as well as videos of speakers, interviews, and farming demonstrations. The website will also announce special Urban Roots screenings in communities to promote visibility to the documentary and the movement.

The Urban Roots Action Movement will give a much longer life to the film compared to traditional independent films due to its online presence, interactive mediums, and ties to social and environmental programs.

The industrial powerhouse of a lost American era has died, and the skeleton left behind is present-day Detroit.