1st place
gold star award
Francesco Mastalia
united states
title
ORGANIC Farmers & Chefs of the Hudson Valley
“Organic” is one of the most misunderstood and often misused words describing food today. In narrating their stories, the farmers and chefs share their philosophy about what it means to grow and live organically and sustainably. “Organic” is not just about growing and producing food, it is about the life of our planet. It is about preserving an agricultural tradition that will safeguard farmland for future generations.
ORGANIC spotlights the Hudson Valley as a region at the forefront of this movement. It features the dedicated farmers who are committed to growing and producing food using sustainable methods, and the chefs who echo their beliefs and pay homage to the food they produce.
The portraits of the farmers and chefs were photographed using the wet plate collodion process, a technique developed in the mid-19th century. The 17,000-mile journey through the Hudson Valley includes over 100 of its farmers and chefs.
His recent book “ORGANIC” Farmers & Chefs of the Hudson Valley, published by powerHouse Books, is a photo documentary of the Hudson Valley’s organic sustainable food movement. The portraits of the farmers and chefs were photographed using the wet-collodion process, a photographic technique developed in the 1850s. Works from ORGANIC are included in the Permanent Collection of the Library of Congress.
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entry description
The Hudson Valley has become an epicenter for the local, organic, sustainable food movement. With its rich agricultural land, the awareness for sustainable living, and the growing demand for local, organic food, the ‘locavore’ farm-to-table movement has become a way of life in the Hudson Valley.“Organic” is one of the most misunderstood and often misused words describing food today. In narrating their stories, the farmers and chefs share their philosophy about what it means to grow and live organically and sustainably. “Organic” is not just about growing and producing food, it is about the life of our planet. It is about preserving an agricultural tradition that will safeguard farmland for future generations.
ORGANIC spotlights the Hudson Valley as a region at the forefront of this movement. It features the dedicated farmers who are committed to growing and producing food using sustainable methods, and the chefs who echo their beliefs and pay homage to the food they produce.
The portraits of the farmers and chefs were photographed using the wet plate collodion process, a technique developed in the mid-19th century. The 17,000-mile journey through the Hudson Valley includes over 100 of its farmers and chefs.
about the photographer
Francesco Mastalia has traveled the world photographing tribal, religious, spiritual, and indigenous people. His first book DREADS, published by Workman Artisan, is a photo documentary on the history of dreadlocks. Now in its eighth printing, DREADS includes an introduction by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker.His recent book “ORGANIC” Farmers & Chefs of the Hudson Valley, published by powerHouse Books, is a photo documentary of the Hudson Valley’s organic sustainable food movement. The portraits of the farmers and chefs were photographed using the wet-collodion process, a photographic technique developed in the 1850s. Works from ORGANIC are included in the Permanent Collection of the Library of Congress.
back to gallery