Ogilvy's New Mini-Docs Tell Untold Stories of American Farmers

Alongside Ogilvy, Corteva Agriscience last month released “Growing with Pride.” The short video is the first in a documentary series, “The Heart of the Farm,” designed to highlight the untold stories of people who grow food. 

This first installment made use of Pride Month to highlight Leon Etchepare, a fourth-generation farmer at Emerald Farms in Orland, California.

Among other things, Etchepare talks about following in his father’s footsteps as a farmer, and the moment he came out to him at the age of 25. A year later, he met his life partner, Andrew Pentecost, who’s since followed him into farm life.

“As a farmer there’s always new challenges,” Etchepare says. “You have to persevere. That’s pretty much your coming-out experience as well. You have to be brave.”

The work was directed by Ogilvy associate creative director Emily Clark.

“As marketers, we have tremendous power to affect whose stories are told,” Clark says. “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—toward a more inclusive and supportive space.”

The video ends with the words, “Let’s make farming more inclusive. Corteva supports those who support us all.”

“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,” Rajan Gajaria, evp of business platforms at Corteva, wrote on LinkedIn. “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.” 

For continued updates on Corteva’s “The Heart of the Farm” series on historically underrepresented farmers, and to read more about the company’s commitment to inclusion and equity, visit the website.

CREDITS

Corteva ‘Growing with Pride’ Credits

Corteva
Global Brand Lead: Steve Betz 
Brand Manager: Amy Myers 
Strategic Account Manager: Jill LeVake 

Ogilvy
Chief Creative Officers: Marcos Kotlhar and Danilo Boer
Associate Creative Director: Emily Clark 
Creative Director: Melissa Hoke
Creative Director: Tom Greenwood

Director: Emily Clark
Producer: Gabriella Pizzitola
Music Producer: Joanna Starling
Director of Business Affairs: Samantha Norvin

Executive Director, Strategy: Robert Davis
Director, Strategy: Jenifer Cameli 

Managing Director: Cindy Lake
Executive Group Director: Emily Maier
Account Executive: Justine Yucesan

MALKA 
DP: Nick Kraus
Line Producer: Annie Burns
AC: Stephen de Ropp
Sound Mixer: Jon Gederman
Production Assistant: James Thornton

LVLY 
Editor: JP Damboragian
Junior Editor: Mackenzie Mauro 
Head of Production: Amy Selwocki

Decibel
Mixer: Mat Guido
Colorist: David Torcivia
Music Composer: Mark Ambor

Vitamin Enriched
Casting Director: Katherine Foronjy
Casting Director: Joseph Coburn
Casting Director: Evadne Fulton 
Casting Director: Mary Anne Driscoll
Casting Director: Justin Wilson