Two Wisconsin traditions at the heart of newly-released film

GREEN BAY – Two Wisconsin traditions are at the heart of an Anders Lindwall film that premiered in Green Bay on Jan. 3 at Lambeau Field — the Green Bay Packers and farming.

While Packers’ history can be traced back to the early 1900s, the farming industry dates back to the 1830s European immigrants who wished to feed their families and earn a decent income, and existed even before that, with the Native Americans crops of corn, squash and beans.

It is estimated that about 5,000 farms a year were founded in Wisconsin during the 1840s.

Most of these farms were passed through multiple generations; however, today only half of the farms that were operating in 1950 still exist today, as large scale farming takes over the landscape.

“Green and Gold is our heartfelt tribute to rural America's strength and perseverance. The film highlights the stories of hardworking farmers confronting growing challenges in today’s economy. Inspired by our roots and our grandfather, a dairy farmer, my brother Davin Lindwall and I sought to tell an authentic story that honors rural America's farming community's grit, goodness and unbreakable bond,” Director Anders Lindwall said in a director’s statement.

The movie portrays actor Craig T. Nelson as “Buck” — a Wisconsin dairy farmer.

“With mounting debt and the land his family has cultivated for four generations at risk, Buck refuses to give up his legacy without a fight. Buck’s granddaughter (Madison Lawlor) works alongside him but dreams of a career in music. Her aspirations are fanned by an emerging friendship with a famous musician (Brandon Sklenar), but chasing her dreams might take her far from the farm. With time running out, Buck places a daring Super Bowl bet on his beloved Green Bay Packers, risking it all to save everything he holds dear,” a film synopsis stated.

Nelson’s film career spans over five decades, both on-screen and off.

The film’s crew said that on the second day of filming the movie, Nelson pulled Anders, the film’s director, aside and “inquired about the lack of a second camera.”

After Anders explained that the project was a low-budget, independent film, Nelson responded, “Get yourself a camera and take it out of my rate.”

“This story felt personal to me, I felt a real connection to it because the Nelson family farm has been a working farm in South Dakota since the Civil War, and my wife's family were also farmers. Green and Gold captures the tenacity of small-town farmers and the strength of family and community. I was honored to play Buck and highlight the dreams defining many lives in America’s heartland,” Nelson said.

Nelson said that at the heart of it is a compelling story about the disappearing dairy heartland.

“The conglomerates are pretty much taking over the small, family farm and that’s what this story is about. You do something you love and you get swallowed up by it,” he said.

The screenplay was written by Steven Shafer, Michael Graf, Missy Mareau Garcia and Anders, and produced by Anders’ brother, Davin Lindwall, and Aaron Boyd.

 “Growing up just north of Green Bay as the grandson of a dairy farmer and die-hard Packers fans, my brother Davin and I poured our hearts into this film. It’s our tribute to small-town communities and the values they stand for,” Anders stated.

Green and Gold is in Green Bay area theaters, after being launched Friday, Jan. 3 at Lambeau Field.

The following Sunday, Nelson was on the field where he performed the National Anthem before the Packers-Bears final regular-season matchup.