“Soul & Soil: Farming in the Sangamon River Valley” selected for screening at Farm to Film Fest

SPRINGFIELD – The University of Illinois Springfield’s Sangamon Experience documentary, “Soil & Soul: Farming in the Sangamon River Valley,” has been selected for screening at the Farm to Film Fest, held April 12-13 in Washington, Iowa.

The documentary, which premiered at UIS on Nov. 7, tells the stories of 10 individuals who have spent their lives farming throughout the Sangamon River Valley, an area encompassing approximately 1,500 square miles in central Illinois.

“Soil & Soul” was produced by Rich Saal, former photography editor at The State Journal-Register and a documentary photographer and filmmaker, and Noah Sabich, partner and founding member of global private equity firm Cimbria Capital and its consulting subsidiary, Cimbria Consulting. Saal earned a master’s degree in history from UIS.

Anne Moseley, director and curator of the Sangamon Experience, said the selection is a testament to the film’s impact in preserving the voices of local farmers.

“We are honored that ‘Soil & Soul’ has been chosen for the Farm to Film Fest,” Moseley said. “This documentary shares the personal experiences of Sangamon River Valley farmers and highlights the vital role they play in our region’s history and culture.”

“Soil & Soul” was made possible by United Community Bank, with additional funding from the Melvin Wing Charitable Trust and the Dan and Carolyn Dungan Family Fund.

The Sangamon Experience, established in 2020, showcases the history of the Sangamon region through an on-campus exhibition space, digital projects and community partnerships.