Money on A String Documentary

The People who picked the Beans in Ashe County, NC
Director: Kelley St. Germain

Green Bean farming was a BIG deal in Ashe County, NC, from the 1940s thru the 1970s. During that time, the Green Bean industry generated millions of dollars, creating jobs and bringing much-needed prosperity to a region that had long struggled economically.

Green beans had been a staple in Appalachia since the first settlers arrived, as they were easy to grow and preserve. Most families would preserve (canned) over one hundred quarts each year to sustain them through harsh winters. But in the late 1930s, something changed—neighboring Johnson County, TN saw a boom in commercial green bean production, sparking a wave of inspiration among Ashe County farmers. As families began selling their beans beyond the mountain, to places like Charlotte, NC, the industry flourished.

“Money on a String” tells the remarkable story of the rise and fall of this industry, capturing the voices of fifteen Ashe County natives who share their personal accounts of a way of life that has faded with time. Through these interviews, you’ll hear the rich, authentic Appalachian dialects, a sound that is quickly disappearing from our culture today.

But this documentary isn’t just about green beans. It’s about the people who planted, picked, and built their lives around this crop. It’s an authentic portrait of a forgotten way of life—one that shaped generations in Appalachia.

SIDENOTE: We would like to extend a great big “THANK YOU” to 13 year old Michael Schott for writing & performing the original music for our Documentary. I think you will agree that he did an amazing job!

Outtake Videos

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