As we enter our second week of our Season 3 Kickstarter campaign, we want to give a shout out the 36 backers who have pledged their support in the early days of our campaign. It’s so important that we get off to a great start and these loyal fans and followers are making sure that happens. Why does this effort matter so much? We want to share five important facts about “A Growing Passion” that explain why our Kickstarter campaign is so important to us…and to you.
1) We are an independent production company. “A Growing Passion” is produced by AGP Productions, an independent production company. We have to raise every single dollar that goes into making our program. We are paid a small licensing fee from the stations that air our show, but we receive NO additional support from them beyond that. Being independent is great. It gives us the freedom to decide what stories to tell. But is also means we have to raise the money to pay for the programs you enjoy.
2) Where our funding comes from may surprise you. Our main source of revenue is from our loyal sponsor base. And we are deeply grateful for their support of our programs. But we bet you didn’t know that Kickstarter is also an important revenue source. You…our loyal fans and followers provide essential support that allows us produce our programs. Your Kickstarter support is more than a nice gesture…it’s essential to our ability to create new episodes.
3) We are women-owned company. Nan Sterman and Marianne Gerdes founded AGP Productions ten years ago to produce television content about gardening and the outdoor world. Our goal from the beginning was to tell stories about the people and places that are growing sustainably, climate-appropriately, and with wise use of resources. Back in 2004, that message wasn’t nearly as popular as it is today. Call us stubborn, but we refused to compromise our principals and lo and behold the world came around to our point of view. For ten years we’ve nurtured this dream and knocked on doors until one finally opened. With your support we stepped over the threshold in 2013. And now in 2014…here we grow again! Score one for the ladies!
4) Our home base is firmly rooted in San Diego. It’s our home, and one of the most fertile sources for stories about gardens and growing and the natural world. But this season we’re expanding your horizons so you will see more of what’s growing throughout California. It’s a big leap for us, and one that will be much harder to make without our hometown’s support.
5) Every dollar you give supports the show. Nan and Marianne work with a very small crew; there’s a camera guy, an audio man, and an editor. That’s it. There is no overhead, no big studio, no extensive support staff. It’s exhausting, and exhilarating, and we’re excited to do it all again. Which is where you come in. Your support makes it possible for us to continue. And, it earns you good karma along with some pretty great thank you gifts. See what you can get here.
We’re at 28% of our goal with 27 days left to pledge. There’s still a long ways to go. Now that you know a little more about us, we hope you’ll appreciate the urgency of this appeal, and visit our Kickstarter right now to make your pledge of support. You can reach our Kickstarter page here.
There’s a lot of ground to cover…so let’s going growing!
And thanks for your support!
Nan and Marianne
and the Gang from “A Growing Passion”
