Farmer's Daughter Movie Tells Story of Resilience and Keeps Legacy Alive

Tara Barrett-Duzan used to report the news. Making news by becoming a full-time farmer and having a documentary made about her decision to do so wasn't exactly in the career plan.

But there's a lot about Barrett-Duzan's life that has deviated from the script during the past few years. A new movie titled "The Farmer's Daughter" tells the story of how family tragedy led her to trade a seat at the news desk for a tractor seat.

The 90-minute documentary follows Barrett-Duzan through a year of farm life and digs into the roots of her determination to keep the farm in the family after the passing of her brother and father.

While obviously comfortable in front of the camera, the now farmer admits she wasn't expecting the intensity or intimacy of this filming. Director Scot England, who had co-anchored the WAND-TV news with Barrett-Duzan, told DTN in an interview that it took nearly a decade of arm-twisting. "One day I hopped into the tractor with her. As we passed right by the graves of her father and brother at the field edge, I became more convinced this story was unique and had to be told," said England.

"She's one of the most interesting people I know. And one of the busiest -- from running children to events to running the farm and serving on the school board. It's a hectic life she's chosen."

Barrett-Duzan said the family tends to be private, but there was comfort knowing the story would be told with a gentle hand by someone she trusted.

"I got so used to them being there filming, that I think it became second nature, and I quit thinking about what I would say next," Barrett-Duzan said.

Therein lies the magic of this effort. It catches the nuances of many decisions that come with the business of farming and the overwhelming complexity of what might seem to be a simple life to those who do not work in the industry. “A television news desk lives by the deadline, but in farming nature dictates uncontrollable deadlines that can come with nail-chewing economic penalty,” said Barrett-Duzan.

BIG DECISIONS

Her brother, Cory Barrett, had been the heir apparent for the Hume, Illinois, farming operation. That plan changed in 2009 when Cory was killed in a motorcycle accident on the very day he was to begin farming forever.

In 2011, her father, Ron Barrett, surprised his daughter by asking if she'd consider coming back to join the farm. She'd grown up on the farm and had been an involved 4-H member, but journalism had been her jam. She thought she understood what it meant to be a farmer, but she'd never actually done much of the physical or financial chores that come with running it as a business.

She joined her father, she said, not out of obligation, but because it offered her a chance to juggle new motherhood and work alongside family.

"Dad worked me hard during those years, but I was mostly a helper. When he'd occasionally mention that I needed to learn some of the deeper aspects of the business, I'd waive him off and say we had plenty of time for that," she recalled.

They didn't have time, though. Only a half dozen years into her returning home, Ron Barrett was diagnosed with cancer and was gone within six months. That was 2018.

The film thoughtfully covers what came next. doesn't flinch when she recalls being asked during her father's visitation about plans for the farm.

It prompted her to be on the phone the following day to inform three bank managers that she intended to continue farming the 1,400-acre farm. The family owned 80-acres, but the remaining was cash rented or leased.

By this time, she had a son who had become grandpa's sidekick and already had his heart set on becoming the next generation to farm. Heritage, legacy and holding on to family took on deeper meaning.

"The advantage I had was I had people -- like my mom -- who believed in me. I come from strong stock. I watched her go back to school at age 40 to become a nurse," Barrett-Duzan said. "She showed me what is possible if you want it bad enough."

NEXT STEPS

The years since have been a learning curve on everything from maintaining equipment to securing loans to buy the machinery line and the family land.

"I leaned on those people that Dad trusted. I read a lot and asked a lot of questions and I'm still asking a lot of questions," she said, admitting that journalism genes can come in handy or drive one crazy in the search for elusive answers.

Neighboring farmers, the fertilizer dealer, the farm equipment dealer and local grain merchandisers have all been there to assist. Several have cameo roles in the documentary -- a glimpse into the neighborly aspects of what can be good about agricultural communities.

"When my dad died, I was totally thrown into something I had never envisioned," she said. "A lot of people stuck by me."

One of those people was her husband, Jared Duzan. He pitched in after tending his own job and a side-line excavating business.

More recently, he's returned to the farm in a full-time capacity, and they are working together to further the farm's legacy.

David Brown, a Warrensburg, Illinois, farmer appears in the film. He knew England and Barrett-Duzan from his time reporting on agriculture at WAND-TV.

"This is a story of following your heart and trusting it, giving one the confidence that it will be OK," said Brown. "The smile on her face lets you know she's comfortable with where she is and the choices she's made.”

"There are great life lessons here for all who watch," Brown added.

"The Farmer's Daughter" can be streamed for rental or purchase on Amazon Prime Video. The documentary is also expected to be available soon on other streaming services. 

EDITOR’S TAKE:

Although I have not personally seen the film, the story is fascinating from many angles. Dealing with personal tragedy and allowing it to drive the family in a completely different direction, largely unknown to them previously, says a lot about the grit and determination it takes to be a farmer. A story of personal sacrifice and triumph coupled with a larger goal of preserving a family legacy tells what many farmers/ranchers face every day. I am going to see this documentary and hope you will as well. I believe it will provide valuable insights into what our farmers and ranchers go through for the overall good of the nation. Perhaps it will give you inspiration and a better understanding of how to relate to them when they come into your dealership for that new truck!