WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield’s Sangamon Experience will open a new exhibit and premiere a documentary film titled “Soil & Soul: Farming in the Sangamon River Valley.” The documentary 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.

WHEN: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 (Film screening at 6 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium and exhibit viewing at 7 p.m. on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center)

DETAILS: Learn about the rich heritage of farming, where land, knowledge and practices are passed down through generations, creating a living legacy that shapes both the soil and soul of the farming life.

The film was produced by Noah Sabich, partner and founding member of global private equity firm Cimbria Capital and its consulting subsidiary, Cimbria Consulting, and Rich Saal, former photography editor at The State Journal-Register and a documentary photographer and filmmaker. They worked with Anne Moseley, director and curator of the Sangamon Experience, to produce the exhibit.

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

Opened in 2020, the Sangamon Experience’s mission is to provide a broad perspective of the history of the Sangamon region through a variety of exhibitions and activities developed for and from multiple communities.

The event is free, but registration is required.