While Dr. Benjamin Garner worked on his doctoral degree, he and his wife regularly visited a farmers' market on Saturdays in Lawrence, Kansas.

The ritual experience evolved into research projects and his dissertation. Garner, associate professor of marketing and management in the Mike Cottrell College of Business at the University of North Georgia (UNG), also volunteered with the Lawrence Farmers' MarketBoard of Directors for 2 1/2 years as a community member.

"Once I formed those relationships, I picked up my camera and started filming," he said. "It was such a beautiful market. It was a natural thing to want to capture and share it with people."

Now, Garner is sharing his passion project with the nation. "Heartland Local Food" is available online.

The hourlong documentary has been distributed through the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) and aired on Public Broadcast Service (PBS) affiliates. For example, Georgia Public Broadcasting as well as stations in Kansas, Indiana, Michigan, and California, have aired it, Garner said.

"It's very exciting to think people across the country are seeing this film and hearing these stories," he said.

This is the second documentary Garner has released through public television. His film "Southern Vines: The Rebirth of Wine in Georgia" aired Dec. 29, 2018, on GPB. The 26-minute film showcased the wine industry and its impact on the state's tourism and economy.

"Each time I do another film, I hope to achieve something different and better," he said. "It's one thing to make a film, and it is another to learn how to get it in front of audiences on a national level."

Garner is currently raising funds for two new documentaries about northeast Georgia: another about wine and one exploring tourism and trout conservation.