Transforming a worn-out farm.
  

  Ora E. “Andy” Anderson is a legend in Ohio, but it is his beloved old farm that takes center stage in Soul of the Woods, just as it did in Anderson’s life. This DVD and its companion booklet give us rare insight into this remarkable man and how (and why), over the course of his life, a worn-out Ohio hill farm was transformed into a wooded nature preserve teeming with life.

Here, we walk with Anderson over his land, listen to his story —and, perhaps, to the “soul of the woods” inherent within us all —and find our own lives enriched. The accompanying booklet features Anderson’s insightful essays on the history of the land, along with selected poems—all beautifully illustrated with original watercolors and drawings of the Anderson farm.

All proceeds from the sale of this booklet and video are donated to the Ora E. Anderson Conservation Fund for Appalachian Ohio.

(24 minute DVD & Booklet $25.00)
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May/June 2010

"The Soul of the Woods should stimulate an important public dialogue about our responsibility to the land we inhabit, as individuals and as a community."
   - Howard Sacks, Director, Rural Life Center, Kenyon College
    [full review]

"Ora Anderson had the soul of a poet. But his poetry was not merely in his writing, it was in every piece of wood he carved, every parcel of land he saved and nurtured, and in every person whose life he touched."
   - Bill Thompson III, editor of Bird Watcher's Digest [full review]

"Ora E. Anderson: The Soul of the Woods" is a touching look at one man's efforts over the better half of a century to nurture the return of Ohio's forests and other natural areas."
   - Jessica Keith, The Nature Conservancy in Ohio [full review]

"This is a must have for anyone concerned with the natural, fragile world of Appalachian Ohio and beyond."
   - Chad Berry, Director, Loyal Jones Appalachian Center,
     Berea College [full review]

"The challenge and reward of documentary filmmaking is to capture the essence of the subject that has so enthralled the filmmaker and give viewers a sense of that wonder. This challenge has been met in the new work ,“The Soul of the Woods,” a multi-media package produced by Jean Andrews and Steven Fetsch."
   - Oral Historian and Filmmaker Jack Wright [full review]

"…Once is not enough to view the video or read the booklet as much can be gained and appreciated with re-viewing and re-reading. For those of us not fortunate enough to own one of Ora’s carved birds, perhaps having seen some firsthand, the carving demonstration is fantastic!"
   - Deanna L. Tribe, Assoc. Prof. Emerita, and Community
     Development Specialist Ohio State University Extension,
    McArthur, Ohio [full review]

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