BANGOR and PORTLAND, Maine — A new first-of-its-kind 30 minute television program began airing Sunday, Jan. 8. The documentary series, “Growing Home,” is the first to tell the stories of U.S. veterans who have transitioned to a life of agriculture and outdoor-related careers.
Local viewers can catch the program Sundays at 11 a.m. on Bangor’s WLBZ channel 2.
“Growing Home” was filmed across Maine at 15 locations, including homestead farms, deer farms, potato farms, a winery and more. Clint Bruce, a former Special Operations Officer and ex-college and NFL football player, hosts the show, providing insight and encouragement to the viewers based on his own experiences.
The 13 episode series is being produced by Maine natives at Up Country Productions Inc., with offices in Hermon and Houston, Texas. Producers said Maine’s beautiful landscapes, strong agricultural communities, and one of the highest percentages of veterans per-capita made the location a perfect fit for the production.
Along with much current national attention on the veteran community, the movement of veterans into agriculture is an emerging trend that the USDA and the Veterans Administration have worked to promote.
The producers feel that this show’s relevance and timeliness will help it find its way to a national audience after its initial run across Maine.
Up Country was formed by Maine natives Deborah Gould and cousins Kit and Lane McCall. Gould provides the sales and marketing expertise. Kit McCall graduated from the the New England School of Communications in Bangor, while Lane McCall graduated from the New York Film Academy. Together, they bring a combined 30 years of production experience to the company.
For more information about the show, visit the “Growing Home” Facebook page.
