ITVS Documentary "Greener Pastures" Honored by the Television Academy

Posted on May 1, 2025

The Television Academy announced that the ITVS-supported, Independent Lens documentary Greener Pastures will be celebrated at the 18th Television Academy Honors. Established in 2008, the Television Academy Honors Award recognizes “Television with a Conscience” and seeks to celebrate programs that inspire, motivate, and harness the power of storytelling to change lives. 

Released on PBS in March of 2024, Greener Pastures follows four multigenerational family farms over several years as they balance mental health, economic uncertainty, and America’s farming industry, while striving to persevere in the Midwest.

"When we set out to make Greener Pastures, we wanted to listen, to witness, and to honor the dignity of farmers whose voices are often left out of the national conversation,” said Director Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian. “This film is a tribute to the people feeding our country. We’re deeply grateful to the families who trusted us with their stories, and to Independent Lens and Lois Vossen for making space for rural voices on the national stage. We couldn’t imagine a more perfect place to share a story about America’s heartland than PBS.”

The Independent Lens series has been honored with 27 EmmyⓇ Awards. This marks the program’s first Television Academy Honors Award.

"Greener Pastures invites all of us to gather at the kitchen table and hear stories from American farmers who help feed our families,” said Lois Vossen, executive producer of Independent Lens. “Partnering with independent producers who live in communities across the U.S., like Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian and Ian Robertson, is a cornerstone of Independent Lens' commitment to tell America's story on public media. We are extremely proud Greener Pastures is recognized as television that creates a lasting impact, television with a conscience."

Director Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian, producer Ian Robertson Kibbe, and Independent Lens executive producer Lois Vossen will accept this honor at the 18th Television Honor ceremony on May 28, 2025.

Greener Pastures is available for streaming on the PBS app.

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