The Real Dirt on Farmer John (Sun., April 23, 7 p.m., free, White Dog Cafe, 3420 Sansom St., 215-386-9224) Astride his tractor in feather boa and Dr. Seuss hat, John Peterson sure doesn't look like other farmers. But the troubles he faces as Taggart Siegel's documentary wends its way through the 1970s and 1980s may sound awfully familiar. Failed crops, rising debt, a collapsing market and the need to rethink his approach to agriculture befall this Northern Illinois farmer's son, as well as other issues that are a little more particular to him. A '60s idealist who never lost his connection to the soil (an opening clip shows him happily munching a handful of squishy loam), Peterson opened the family farm to all comers, arousing his neighbors' suspicions. It wouldn't be such a problem, opines Peterson's neighbor and former classmate (as well as an ex-sheriff), except it spooks the cattle. Effectively run out of town, Peterson rediscovers his agricultural birthright, as well as new methods of biodiverse farming. Starting up again, Peterson goes organic and starts practicing community-sponsored agriculture, effectively bringing his story full circle.

Siegel, who has made several previous documentaries about Peterson, rushes through the backstory at a sometimes bewildering pace; it can't help that this version, part of a monthly series previewing offerings on PBS' Independent Lens showcase, is a half-hour shorter than that shown in theaters last year. And the Peterson-scripted narration is overwritten and sometimes overwrought, once referring to Mexico as "that warm and mysterious land." But Peterson's story is intriguing enough to overcome the movie's flaws, and the final rebirth of his destitute farm is downright inspiring. The screening is preceded by a 6 p.m. dinner (eaters get priority seating for the film) and followed by a discussion with Michael Ahlert of Red Earth Farm and Ann Karlen of the Philadelphia Fair Food Network.