This compilation features films about the history of farming and agriculture in America. Topics includes farming technology changes such as rubber tires in the 20s to new pesticides developed in the 50s, farm labor unions, WWII war effort farming, farm animals, and farm safety.
Included Films:
Agricultural Aviation
Agricultural Aviation
Produced: 1955
Length: 13 Minutes
Since its invention in 1903 the airplane has long served the needs of human kind, from war time pursuits, to leisure activities, and more importantly the age old trade of farming. Produced in 1955,Agricultural Aviation provides a glimpse into the importance of airplanes and helicopters to the agricultural industry, particularly for crop dusting. This includes vintage shots of insecticides bucketing down on plants before such acts were called into question for health reasons.
Three Little Kittens
Three Little Kittens
Produced: 1938
Length: 10 Minutes
Mother cat is the proud new parent of three young kittens! Three Little Kittens, explores the life of these three new souls as they slowly awaken to the world around them. Life on a farm is not a lazy existence for a cat. The animal is expected to work. When there are not enough jobs for the kittens as they grow two of them are given to people in the town. The third cat is left to carry on her mothers duties. Excellent for the footage of a 1930s farm as well as enjoyable shots of kittens doing different things, like learning to walk, hunt, and defend themselves from various farm creatures like dogs, Three Little Kittens, can be enjoyed by adults and children alike.
Seed for Tomorrow
Seed for Tomorrow
Produced: 1947
Length: 20 Minutes
Farming is an fundamental part of American industry, yet the number of independent farmers is declining with each passing year. That was no less true in the 1940s, when small farmers were facing pressures from larger, wealthy establishments to sell their land. The spirit of farming is a hardy and persistent. Highly capitalized large commercial farms with lawyers and lobbyists, began threatening to end a way of life and an American tradition for many small farmers, during the late 40s. To challenge the bullying of the small farmers, the Farmers Union distributed films like this one, The Seed of Tomorrow, to encourage farmers to unite and join the Union where there was not only support, but effective legal help. The Union was there for the farmer, by the farmer. The film explores the beginning of a problem still plague the independent farmer today, large commercial farming operations, and is a brilliant propaganda piece for the National Farmer’s Union of America.
Farmer Miller Goes Into High Gear
Farmer Miller Goes Into High Gear
Produced: 1920s
Length: 20 Minutes
Rubber tires can change your life. It did for Farmer Miller in “Farmer Miller Goes Into High Gear.” A simple farmer on a small farm uses old equipment that means longer days and less harvesting in the fields. But when he gets new rubber tires on his gear his profits increase, he spends less time in the fields and happiness reigns for all.
Agriculture USA
Agriculture USA
Produced: 1950s
Length: 27 Minutes
Agriculture is the backbone of American industry and serves a necessary role in sustainability. “Agriculture USA” begins with a history of agriculture – God created the world for man to grow things on – then moves on to explain how the agricultural industry has become a powerhouse for the United States economy. It venerates the advancement of technology to make returns greater and how pesticides are revolutionizing crops and pest control.
Amateur Film: Texas Farm Family
Amateur Film: Texas Farm Family
Produced: 1950s
Length: 11 Minutes
This silent amateur film includes basic farm footage from a Texas farming family
Farm Petroleum Safety
Farm Petroleum Safety
Produced: 1950s
Length: 24 Minutes
Petroleum products were a staple in 1950s farming but the improper use of such products was also responsible for property damage, injury, and even death. “Farm Petroleum Safety” uses the medium of a county fair to express the dangers of improperly storing and using petroleum products and a young boy whose mother was grievously injured as a study in what can happen without care. Safe tips and practices are given and it shows the formation of a “farm safety committee.”
Singing Wires
Singing Wires
Produced: 1951
Length: 22 Minutes
Singing Wires tells the story of a family behind the times when it came to electrical engineering. Made in 1951, the film gives a detailed account of Bob’s farm compared to Judy’s farm down the street. One major difference stands out: Bob’s farm lacks electricity, and therefore his family has to do everything by hand. As for Judy’s farm, life was easier as their farm is more efficient and profitable. Bob wises up and welcomes electricity, redefining their life. This is a perfect example of how electricity revolutionized rural America and made farm life less back breaking.
Farmer Henry Browne
Farmer Henry Browne
Produced: 1942
Length: 11 Minutes
Here, take a close look at the life of an African-American farmer. Henry Browne is named the soldier of his farmland–just like there are soldiers overseas–and he is needed to help in the war effort. This humbling film follows a day in the life of this hard-working man, his wife, and their children. The family’s days consist of rising at the break of dawn and laboring consistently all day. Their crops will provide just enough food for all four of them to eat heartily for this season and the next. Farmer Henry Browne is an attentive story that sheds light on one of many families who had to work together to be profitable, and, who, in doing so gained a peaceful life.
