AgriCulture

With the highest per capita risk of life changing injury or death, agricultural accidents make farming the most dangerous profession in the developed world. Every year more than 100 people on average die in agricultural related accidents in Canada, with machinery related injuries being the most common. A much higher rate of life altering injury occurs, but is commonly brushed aside as a natural part of the job.

Small town Zurich native TJ Klopp comes from generations of farmers. As long as he can remember, all he's wanted to do is farm. After working on his family farm in his childhood and into his teen years, attending school for agricultural studies, and eventually purchasing a farm of his own, TJ has established a solid business.

Just last fall during harvest, TJ was caught in an inadequately shielded PTO shaft, and his leg was broken - but he was extremely lucky, PTO shaft injuries often result in limb amputation and death. Although the road to recovery was long, his community and his family worked hard to help him keep his farm running, and he's made a full recovery. Every day since his accident last fall, TJ has continued to put his life put at risk to perform a job that we take for granted on a daily basis, working as a cash crop, cattle and pig farmer. He has a passion for locally produced products, and partners with many small businesses to put food on the tables of his community.

​After being seriously injured doing the thing that he loves, how has TJ's perspective changed? What changes has he made to make his farm safer for himself and his family?

  • Samantha van der Bent
    Director
  • Bailey Regier
    Writer
  • Bailey Regier
    Producer
  • Katerina Melohe
    Producer
  • TJ Klopp
    Key Cast
  • Jocelyn Klopp
    Key Cast
  • Jade McKenna
    Director of Photography
  • James Italiano
    1st AC
  • Jack Madden
    2nd AC
  • Neal Shakyaver
    Location Sound / Studio Mixer
  • Lauren Neeson
    Post Sound Mixing
  • Stuart Perkes
    Picture Editor
  • Edward Lim
    Assistant Picture Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 52 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 26, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    225 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
Director Biography - Samantha van der Bent

Samantha is in her third year of the Film and Television program at Sheridan College and is honoured to be the director of AgriCulture. Born and raised in the small town of New Dundee, Samantha spent her spare time playing with the millions of barn cats she had on the farm. Coming to Oakville she realized how different living is for people in “the city” - she rode the bus for the first time ever in 2018!

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