We created this series of videos for RAFI (Rural Advancement Foundation International) to highlight a few grantees from the Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund (TCRF).

TCRF helps farmers stay on the land, successfully grow their businesses and strengthen rural economies. In exchange, the farmers receiving RAFI grants give back to their farming communities by sharing their project ideas and lessons learned.

Our goal was to capture the essence of these innovative new projects from the farmers’ perspective.

We tell stories

We specialize in documentary storytelling because we believe in the power of connecting with the world around you through other people’s experiences.

We help others tell stories

In addition to independent projects, StoryMine partners with non-profits, foundations and commercial clients to produce vibrant stories that people connect with. We tell stories that move people – to action, to curiosity, to laughter. We also teach people to tell their own stories through workshops and classes at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University.

Here’s our story

Elena Rue grew up in the corn fields of Iowa. When she wasn’t in school she spent her time riding bikes around town, drawing palm trees and tubing down the Upper Iowa River. She started taking pictures for her high school yearbook in 10th grade. After pursuing a degree in anthropology at Kenyon College she spent time in Ghana, Ethiopia and Tanzania. Her home away from home is the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University where she has been studying and working for several years.

Catherine Orr grew up on a farm outside Charlottesville, VA. In addition to enjoying marginal success showing sheep at the county fair, she filled her days with roller skating and musical theatre. While studying American studies at the College of William & Mary, she fell in love with study abroad and after college worked in a job that allowed her to share the stories of others who traveled the world.

One fateful day, Catherine and Elena met in grad school orientation at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication (Catherine really liked Elena’s cool yellow skirt). They spent two years helping each other with projects, pulling their hair out together when a story just wasn’t working and celebrating when everything came together. They made a good team. So they decided to work together after graduation. And StoryMineMedia was born.

StoryMineMedia uses video, photography, and multimedia techniques to produce compelling video stories for nonprofit organizations, corporations, and institutions. We are typically involved in our projects from conception to dissemination. We are also available for consultation and training.

A highlight reel from some of Catherine, Elena, and StoryMineMedia’s work.

Martiza is a spunky 13-year-old who love sea turtles. We volunteered to produce a quirky video to help her raise money. To donate, click here: http://www.gofundme.com/SeaTurtleMaritza

The Council is a short film that follows three eighth-graders as they navigate their way through the challenging landscape of middle school politics. The tension is high as Leah, Cara, and Ryan compete to represent their school.

Coal queen pageant contestant Arianna Bailey competes for a crown to represent her family’s way of life. Former miner Goose Stewart lives with the memories of a mine explosion. One thing binds both families: coal. Produced by Catherine Orr and Cath Spangler as part of the Coal a Love Story Powering a Nation project.

As Detroit attempts to reinvigorate a failing economy, alternative energy pioneers have a chance to spark a new industry. Garth Schultz, a solar panel entrepreneur, is poised to begin production, start up his business and help Michigan’s factories start churning once again. Produced by Elena Rue and Mike Ehrlich as part of the Powering a Nation project.

When two girls, born in Ethiopia and raised in North Carolina by lesbian parents, travel to their birth country for the first time, an unexpected relationship forms that will change their lives and connection to their heritage. Film by Elena Rue.

To learn more, visit: www.sharedorigins.org

Steve Whitmire’s family has been farming in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina since the early 1800′s. As a kid, Steve’s chore was to look after the lone family cow. Today Steve oversees a much larger herd of Angus/Braunvieh cattle on 1,000+ acres in Brasstown, North Carolina, ensuring they always have sufficient spring water, ample grass, freshly mixed feed, and room to roam.