Editor’s note: Michigan State University faculty and students are producing an hour-long documentary called Farmers, filming and Flint. Each week Great Lakes Echo previews some of their raw material which will be used to extend the previously produced The Kings of Flint.

This week: Harry Ryan is a true advocate for sustainability in Flint. He started a community garden called Piper Green Corp where people of all ages plant and harvest food. Ryan’s team also mows the lawns of whole blocks for no charge to improve the community. Now he hopes to cut Flint energy bills with windmills. The gardener describes himself as a forward thinker and says, “We’re back in 1970, we’ve got to think out the box for things to change.”

Week 4: Farmers, filming and Flint: Making a bid for free fruit trees

Week 3: Farmers, filming and Flint: Seed to sale

Week 2: Farmers, filming and Flint: Solar panels and a rain cistern

Week 1: Farmers, filming and Flint