The Biggest Little Farm: John & Molly Chester | Rich Roll Podcast 

I just watched the documentary 'The biggest little farm'-I checked it out from my local library but wanted to come on here to comment. This is a great film. I'm an environmental science major at 59 years old, have spent my life wanting to find/enable the balance these two strove for in this documentary. I don't want to own anything, I just truly believe in the way-this way. I cried through the last 1/2 hour, watching the necessary elements joining the group, watching them figure out to put the ducks in to eat the slugs and snails, the owls and hawks, the lady bugs for the aphids. No one gives the 7 years to create the whole ecosystem and each time another piece came together I couldn't stop crying. So silly maybe but I am too old to do this myself-also don't want to own anything so partly I was crying to think-how can I be a part of doing this here in Washington state? So many want the results but aren't willing to trust the 'whole ecosystem' game plan(which takes, among other things a lot of watching and creative/critical thinking along with massive work and perseverance). xoxoxoxo for making this documentary and for everything.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I am a Culinary Arts teacher at a small charter school in Sandpoint, Idaho. This film is what I have been looking for! Our school was growing geraniums in January, because it is an amazing greenhouse design. I convinced the admin that we should be growing fresh herbs and vegetables instead. That coupled with a grocery rescue effort has transformed the food insecurity culture at our school. I can't wait to show students this film. 💜

Their documentary is one of my all time favorites. What a beautiful ode to courage, vision, perseverance and harmony. So inspiring

Awesome interview! I totally agree about the health crisis! That's why I started Peaceful Acres Farm in Howard Co Maryland where I turned 5 acres into a Hobby Farm with cows, goats, sheep, chickens, etc and my large organic garden. I often say the farm saved me as I fought everyday healing from Lyme to put one foot in front of the other. Now living our retirement in East Texas with nothing but sugar sand, I was at a loss. Compost compost compost! As I was listening I could see in my mind the amazing soil growing in our pine tree farm forest that the wild hogs turned up. I'm going to transfer some of that healthy soil to my small growing area. I'm constantly working to increase my bio diversity here in the middle of nowhere Texas!

Thank you for having a farmer on! I hope this film moves the needle on folks’ awareness of where their food actually comes from, and that people will make choices that support the reality of interconnectedness. I realized this very clearly over 30 years ago when I worked on a small organic farm in Vermont for a man ahead of his time, also by the name of Alan. He is still farming amazing produce today, and so are we after having been bitten by the growing bug. We have always had an endless knot on our farm logo. This summer a young kid at market asked me what the symbol meant. I jumped for joy. My hope is in the next generation, as they are asking the right questions. Maybe they will be able to make it possible for small growers to thrive, or at the least be able to pay their bills.

Biggest little farm is my all time wonderful movie. I watch it on dvd regularly to remind myself how we should all be living. Caring for each other and for all of creation. It was all made to sustain itself. It is humankind who has brought it to the point of no return. Molly and John have lived my dream and I'm so very greatful I have lived to see paradise earth. 😊🌎😊🌎😊🌎

This movie is so beautifully layered and moving. As an experienced farm hand, I can say that they were able to capture the delicate dance of nature, and the struggles that come from being disconnected from the natural world. If we simply sit and observe, instead of fighting against nature, we can open our minds to how complex nature is and work towards sustainability. Nature is so much bigger than the human mind. Thanks to Rich for the interview, and for opening up this dialogue!

Interesting what he said about how many gophers, squirrels, etc are killed for the sake of growing avocados. Makes you realize that even vegetarian options may not always be as simple as they seem.

I really felt John's remark about looking back at Earth from Mars and wondering if they might have been better off just working on their relationship with Mother Earth

Man, I love the optimism that I hear from these wonderfully special and thankless people. Thanks you for having this conversation. Cheers.

I find it so interesting that so many people have negative things to say about the point that he did this interview being that he is vegan. He sees the bigger picture that shows that the we need to get back to the basics and farming is a huge thing we are failing at. Wether or not he agrees he is open to hear them and understand what they are doing how how they are helping us as people. People that try to force an agenda down other thought or only show a one sided view are not making the impact they could. Plus they talked a lot about soul and earth and repair what we have done to our beautiful earth which goes right back into feeding the plant that he grows and eats!

I've been fueled by Rich and his message for almost a decade now and I'm blown away by how far he's come along with this podcast. The amazing people he's bringing in consistently now and the production value with video and audio make me so happy to see that something that started so small and humble can truly blossom into world-class wisdom for the ages. Thank you for the gift you give to humanity. Keep showing up!

We drove two hours to see this film yesterday (in the UK). I knew it was going to be a must see film as soon as I saw this podcast. It hasn't received the exposure it deserved to get over here, sadly. But I am doing some nationwide talks next year covering many of the issues discussed as part of the material so will promote this in my talks. It was an emotional rollercoaster and an absolute credit to you both. I hope to visit the farm at some point in the future - the film affected me tremendously, in a good way. Thanks for this amazing podcast Rich. You do a top job!

Wow. I just finished watching this and was so moved by it. I wish, wish, wish farmers in Wisconsin and beyond could embrace this way of farming!

I watched the movie and absolutely loved it!! I would love to have heard Molly speak more on your podcast, as she seemed to be the catalyst for the whole thing starting...., and she is an equal part of this whole saga. Thanks for having the two of them on your podcast!

Awesome that Biggest Little Farm is shortlisted for the Academy Awards coming up shortly! Congrats, rooting for you.

Thank you Rich for this amazing and beautiful sharing! I am so in line with what you’re saying about living a compassionate life and being adults on the matter of life death life cycles on the planet! And I believe and this is something I would love to realize here in the Netherlands that we can have farms that are Regenerative,, Sanctuary and more at the same time , thus being inclusive and I feel this is what John & Molly carry and transmit ! I am 1001 % Plant Based, as vegan as possible with the rest of the life we live, and I always thought that we all from all around need to grow up and be inclusive and teach each other to become more compassionate ! I thank you for sharing your understanding and passions and theirs with me ! thank you for the inspiration!

This is my favorite interview of the year! Cant wait to see what is next Rich! You are amazing! Thanks to the Chesters for all you do, PLEASE teach the world your ways!

Awesome podcast! Loved the interactions between the 3 of you and the insights about regeneration. I have been retired for 6 months and am now 68. For the last 5 and a 1/2 years I have been turning my weed choked 3/4 acre backyard into a farm in San Diego County. I whole heartedly concur with your approach and felt a connection with the 3 of you. I hope you will take what I am about to say in the spirit of love in which it is given. Your awe of Nature and all of its unfathomable complexity will, I hope, turn into a realization that there must be a Creator as there is no way anything like the big bang and evolution could come up with this amazing gift we have been given no matter how many billion years it was given. (I don't believe in that part obviously) The interdependence of ecological systems that would have to come together quickly all at the same time would be impossible. The systems of individual organisms having to evolve at the same time creates the same issue. Something to think about. (By the way, when the Climate Change crowd vilifies carbon, please remember that they are talking exclusively about CO2 which is very necessary and something we could actually use a lot more of.) Thank you for all you are doing to improve global health!

You nailed it Rich at 1:11:45 - 1:13:45. We are not perfect. We do not have ALL the answers, but we should keep open minds and do what we can collectively to our best understanding. BE HUMBLE!

A very big bravo as I am Moved to tears even without seeing the movie as I so can relate to what you guys shared! Thank you from the bottom of my heart as you help me reconnect even more deeply to my heart and the whole planet, I also so relate I was so sick once upon a time, I also am a chef, a plant-based one now, and I would love to build up such a project with my man, and a whole team effort too !!!

I just watched the movie. Surprised myself by crying beginning to end. This wasn't my first rodeo having grown up on a chicken+ farm in western NY. Love you all. Thank you😘😘😘

"The moment that you start to think that you're better than another human being, or you're holier than thou, or stand from a place of judgment is the minute that we lose that ability to have empathy and empathy is what we need right now. That is what the world is starving for ..." Rich Roll PERFECT!

I have probably NEVER been more willing to see a film. Honestly, i hope I can see it where I live because otherwise I will fly to states just to see it! I got interested by permaculture some time ago already, but only recently started to apply some practical aspects into my life, as I got my first big garden. I am SO excited about the film and LOVED the podcast as well! So many important points you all made!

I watched this film the minute it came out online and I remember thinking, "Yay!! They really GOT IT!!" I'm an environmental educator and majored in communications, hoping to reach people with film and TV. I did produce some for PBS but not with the emotional connection that makes Biggest Little Farm so very powerful. I am so grateful for John and Molly sticking with it and seeing this through. I know from personal experience how hard it can be.

along with Zach's episodes... this ranks right up there with your best podcast yet!!

Loved that film/doco. Just saw it on a cruise. It was so good we watched it twice. Now to watch your podcast ...

Local farming is the key to a healthy earth and nation. Support you local community and stop mass consumption and feeding the monster

This precious interview should be seen by millions! Every word, every sentence, every gesture is a piece of utter beauty and harmony. The Chesters are magicians: not only in what they created on their big little farm but also with the way they share about it: with love, authenticity and moving layers of depth. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for promoting the gentleways on our awesome planet. I share your vision...

I love this movie so much. I watched it twice so far with a smile on my face from beginning to end. I first heard of Apricot Farm on Oprah's SuperSoul Sunday Shorts. When I saw the movie on Netflix I watched it right away, It is such a wonderful film and I;m so grateful for not only the great story but the hope this film has given me for our planet.

We are not masters... we are stewards. GREAT interview.

Absolutely fantastic interview. This is how all farms should be. That would change the world...Looks like you will need to teach farming.

not even 30min into it but gosh adore this couple! just their love for the farm and land

What a lovely interview of these beautiful people! I have watched the film with a big smile of recognition and soul connection. I feel so inspired to continue my own small project of a food forest and the deep trust in the heartfelt connection with nature and all the challenges that by the developments over the past 2 years and hopefully in many more years to come, both in the food forest and within myself.

falling in love with the beauty of nature is inevitablly the best

Somehow I missed this when it first came out, but I'm THRILLED to see this podcast after watching movie on airplane (the irony!) Their open approach to learning and sharing makes me miss my grandparents so much. They had a 40 acre "old Macdonald's farm, which reminds me so much of this project❤

and really one of the best podcasters i have seen and heard.knows just when to interject but always adding something valuable to the conversation..a true listener that is not encomberd by his own self awareness or celebrity..very nice take.

Wow, how fascinating. Had never heard of this documentary, but will definitely watch it now.

Concerning the destruction of the soil, the great dust bowl is a prime example. Ken Burns did an excellent documentary on it.

Thought I was onto the film but realised halfway through that this was a 2.2hr interview... Now I still I have the film to look forward to!!! SCORE!!! Gosh, where to start.. Endless inspiration and a flow of emotions. Thank you for "being the change!" You all beam with authenticity, and for Molly - You are the centre point of enthusiasm that beams prospect and potentiality into this field of creation. I love you guys!

So Very Enjoyable, and Inspirational... Thank You....

What an inspiring and entertaining documentary. This was good, wholesome tv for the entire family! Nicely done! Can’t wait to visit the farm!

A non-violent answer, renewed participation, a new faith in living together. A necessary challenge for an extraordinary undertaking.

This documentary is the reason I started gardening

I literally cried watching the documentary. I only came across it a couple of weeks ago. Such an incredible journey and story.

Hey Rich...love your casts (totally dig long-form :)! Loving this one, too, though I've not yet seen the film. It's a dream I've had for some time to do just what John & Molly have done and continue to do: bring sustainability back to beautiful, complex, nourishing life - to sustain their own, ours, and earth's. I'll be attempting to make mine a reality in the great state of Vermont! But here's an important question I want to inject into the writ large human conversation around life/death/diet/food/farming> animals vs. plants: why is it that we consider plants non-sentient? They are as alive as we are, as animals are, as all of the nature of life is. When we harvest crop plants, they die. As a lover of plants, a gardener who hopes to one day create a biodynamic/interdynamic sanctuary for life, period, I feel most comfortable eating as a omnivorous grazer who takes what Michael Pollan's laid down as a basic recipe for sustaining my health/life and that of my/our world: eat food, not too much, mostly plants. Of course this food is mostly local-to-table, organic...and when possible, biodynamic. And I eat what I grow and buy with reverence for what John is saying is so critical to life: a deep grok with death at its very eternal heart. Thoughts?? I'd love to see this notion more deeply explored by you with some of your very cool & diverse guests. We keep buying into monoculture on all levels, including and especially in our ideals of right and wrong. What about the diversity mother earth seeks to teach us to embrace in her everlasting/everpassing whole of which we are just a part??

The Biggest Little Farm is an amazing and beautifully done film! an incredible story with a strong message. Highly recommend to watch.

I have been an organic gardener in southcentral new york state for 50 years. I am so thrilled thar someone lived my dream. My daughter saw this documentary ,called me to say..." mom ,you have GOT to see this documentary i just finished watching".....wish i had been there to impart some info , but they see ed to find answers fast. Now....just a worm farmer....and professor of worms...lol

Wow. What an amazing story and journey. Looking forward to watching the movie. 😎🇨🇦

It was really interesting to hear they didn't have the doc planned until 5 years in because I figured it was such a briliant move to be filming it all and make a doc out of it as they were going through the process of getting the farm going. It's really a content marketer's dream!

I am poor. When The Biggest Little Farm movie came out, I paid full price dragging my friends every single week just to see that movie. 10 weeks in a row I went and watch that movie and I love it. I went out and bought the DVD. I taught myself organic gardening and the whole thing with the worms and the compost and integrated pest management and I must tell you I freaking love that movie!!! If the photograph of Todd looking straight at the camera with those amazing blue eyes was produced on a t-shirt (100% cotton), I would probably buy five!! I love the movie I love the way the movie was put together I loved the nature shots and there was just enough drama and adventure to throw everybody in the theater thank you so much to TODD for being the catalyst *RIP

This is so amazing and inspirational. Monsanto is just evil They are great !

Just watched their documentary.......enlightening, and hopeful.

This is such an inspiration for what we’re doing on our farm. Love it!

This was the best documentary I've seen. Beautiful people!!!! Loved them those much!!!!!

LOVED this interview!! ❤️

Rich, I am sorry you received negative feedback for interviewing this couple. I, on the other hand, was so excited this morning when I saw who was on your show, I almost didn't make it to work. I was on a plane when I saw this film. I was completely absorbed in the film and couldn't believe what I was seeing. For me, this was the first film that truly captured what sustainability means in a visual format. I chose to not think about the meat non-meat part of the story and focus on the extraordinary capability of mother nature and the courage it took this couple to stay with the journey. The cinematography was gorgeous, the story engaging - I wouldn't change a thing. This film has given me a tool to help explain why I am so impassioned by nature. PS: the way you three handled that part of the conversation warms my heart.

I think not having any experience is what is needed. The way we do farming isn't working for the overall benefit of all the players involved. My husband and I bought 7 acres a year ago. Pecan trees and sandburs is all that is growing. We are slowly changing that, but get a a lot of unsolicited advice from the old timers around town about how we should feed animals and what chemicals we should use. We don't want to do it there way. We have failed many times. But are also learning.

The bottom line is that all is not lost, and with effort and inspiration we can regenerate the whole planet's ecosystems and provide a more sustainable society. You must be blind to not realise that this is the attitude humans should take. Let's hope the younger generations are inspired by this brilliant film/documentary. Great job! You deserve a Nobel in environmentalism.

This was absolutely beautiful! Thank you!!!

OMG! I watched this with my kids this weekend and it was incredible. Cannot wait to listen!

I see an evident connection of this film with the other revealing film - The Serengeti Rules where the main message of interconnectivity in nature is so strong.

Love the long form format! Thanks for your commitment.

Love the documentary movie ❤️...love Todd, he was Adopt for John❤️🐕 thank you for all the love to him..🙏 the farm was so hard ,congratulations for the work,amazing😢🙂🍃🌳🌄

Ducks eat snails ... that stuck with me, I don't know why!

Together is the nicest place to be! Today I decided is going to be different 😎😊

Wonderful people, incredible what they have achieved!!! As a functional medicine health coach I see many parallels between the ecosystem of the nature surrounding us and the ecosystem of a human body that is so vast and multi faceted that it keeps inspiring me with awe. As someone interested in philosophical thought I wonder how we can so consistently overlook the obvious: That we are better off observing and learning about the laws of nature and act within them instead of trying to bypass them with technology and short-term one-dimentional actions. Modesty seems the key word for me here: Our enormous technical potential has made us arrogant and we don't see ourselves any more as part of a bigger circle, a bigger context, as part of nature. To our enormous disadvantage. We pay dearly for what to me seems some kind of inflated ideology underlying it all. Our ecosystem pays and our bodies pay.

I love it that John Chester does not shame those who do not subscribe to his environmental view.

Good interview. I am happy you addressed the animal abuse issue though you focused more on behavior of judgemental people rather than on the moral relativism and cognitive dissonance proposed by Chester and people who share his beliefs. As you pointed out, farm animals are NOT required for regenerative agriculture as many people get similar results without enslaving and slaughtering animals. There is no excuse for the animal abuse that occurs on these farms and the proposition that any human has a right to determine when to end the life of a healthy animal is ridiculous and self-serving

My first time seeing your channel here and came for this interview. So sorry to see the value of this interview being ravaged in the comments by those who choose to follow a vegan lifestyle, wow. I went vegetarian & vegan 47 years ago (not now, I go by intuition and than can include seafood/animal proteins) along with yoga, healing work, living in community starting 1979 with primarily women healers but full family, kids, retreat community, sustainable food growing, etc. Now I have 45 years' experience designing eco-communities, farms, sustainable landscapes, orchards, greenhouses for microgreen & wheatgrass production, homesteads, etc. I work with a team of 8-10 people and we design projects in the US & Central America. We work with both vegan (plant based) and animal agriculture folks who raise animals too. These methods as described in this video are not only sustainable but do indeed regenerate and rebuild the land and ecology. We have myself with a prior Environmental Business, awarded in Oregon for projects that demonstrated sustainability in land design projects, public education, pollution prevention. We also have an architect, holistic chef & aquaponics specialist who has worked around the world in permaculture farming, a naturopathic doctor, permaculture farmer, graphic designer with master's degree in sustainable design, a lady who has master's degree in this area of regenerative agriculture focused in livestock husbandry. We have majority women, most younger and a couple of us with many years' experience. The derogatory comments on here seem to be generating from a (fortunately) fringe element in the vegan tribe who seem to believe our Divine Creator has retired and appointed them as judge & jury over their fellow humans, granted the right to cast judgement and woe upon those who may see life differently than they do and should have no free-will to interpret life outside of their perspective. I am glad their element is in the fringe, at least as I experience in daily life, given that we are helping people find land right now in several states, to start farms some with animals but some are vegan.....it's hard to imagine being inspired to help some of the commenters I see here create a farm to help feed people while being subjected to their consciousness. I have never seen or heard of Mr. Rich Roll or seen any other of your videos here but for this video, thank you for posting! Hopefully in some way, even allowing people see to how divisive disrespectful commentary really only serves to slow us all from moving forward and then choose better ways to interact. So many past methods of farming with both plants and animals need drastic change so hope this video can help that common effort to bring change and be good stewards with this planet and it's creatures.

Wow! like being lifted on the wings of a hawk to see an amazing human and earth experience from afar and then released back to earth so that I can watch the movie! Grateful!!

So love this movie, you are amazing xxxx

This film will be a permanent part of our collection. The grands request it more than disney!

Is this EVER a good movie! I absolutely LOVED IT!!

Thanks Rich Roll your openess of thought and curiousity will lead to a better life for people and animal's

One of my favorite episodes ✌️

I found so much wisdom in john's talk.

Hi I'm Maria Whitehead and i have a testimony I'll try and do short version Is been in my SPIRIT to be self sufficient and lived in CA but wanted a more simple slow life, well hubby had a black lab dog in his dream one day a yr or so and then later that day we wanted to watch something and he saw your documentary and OMG i was in tears the entire time he was like wow y'all living the life we desire and was so impactful so real so AMAZING like watching it come to life with your TESTIMONY! So it is a dream in the making don't know how but i know Who's with me so pray for us as it manifest here in TEXAS

Great interview rich as always very informative,,I just found your podcast like 5 months ago and am really enjoying your guest and rich your killing it bro

It's my granddaugter's favourite film. She is 8 and has watched it a dozen times or more. She is lucky to live with her parents and us on a 4 acre smallholding in Scotland.

With all that footage I hope they make more movies or even a tv series.

Saw the film on a transatlantic flight, which is kind of ironic.. beautiful, deep and touching.

A beautiful interview, movie and farm. Has anyone created this level of biodiverse self sufficient lifestyle on a little urban residential property?

I’m currently writing a children’s book on farm animals and now I’m adding some produce as well as recommending for my readers, to watch your movie! I love it sooo much!🥰♥️

I watched the film last night and it brought me to how God really has purpose in everything. I don't give credit to "mother nature" but the creator Himself. It was a delightful and inspiring movie to have faith in your works along with nature by your side. I loved it so much.

At 55 years old, with a deep desire to contribute to this way of life and live it, is there a roadmap, realizing there’s only so much physical strength I’ll be able to sustain…I would like to die trying what you’re doing in some small way.

A wonderful and intelligent share... thank you from one who lives with nature... and yes, feed the soil not the plant.

Amazing! Tellement intéressant et important! Thank you! We really need more of all this!

Went to see the film last week, just loved it.

Great Interview...So inspiring!!

Just saw the movie, a great interview to augment an important movie

Cannot wait to see the movie!

Interesting podcast. Thanks for sharing Rich

Best interview so far.

ps: Interestingly, I'd stopped the cast to make my earlier comment...got some tea, continued a half hour later to find you speaking super eloquently, Rich-as usual!, on that to which I'd just given voice. Kudos!

This is wonderful - what beautiful people and what an amazing invitation to live regeneratively and have a new relationship again with nature. The talk about this being an issue of national security reminded me of Paul Stamets' argument that saving old growth forests is a matter of national security, given their role in hosting mycelial networks and species of fungus with the potential to transform our food, medicine and even things like packaging, engineering, ecosystem cleanup.... I hope you'll have Paul on one day. In your talk with Zach Bush he commented that farmers "till for the aesthetics". I'd say it's more like they till because, having turned it into dirt, it has to be unnaturally aerated in order to absorb water and make space for roots to grow (of short rooted annuals). And it could all stop with cover cropping and diverse plant systems that include deep rooted perennials.

Thank you!

Nice job, Rich! Well done, sir!

I LOVED the clips of their farm that Oprah had at the end of Super Soul Sunday....I CAN"T WAIT to see this documentary!!!

The greatest question of the podcast is from John "Where does life start?"