Before the age of the mega-farm, there were many small farms in every community and farmers were hardy individuals and families that worked hard bringing their crops to market. They were proud of their profession and important members of the community who banded together to help each other in good times and bad. This collection of nine classic farming history films shows a variety of examples of farmers, farming and farming technologies that were shaping the 1940's and 1950's (and beyond) both in the United States and in Chile, South America - which gives a fascinating counterpoint of two different culture's views on farmers and farming.
Before the age of the mega-farm, there were many small farms in every community and farmers were hardy individuals and families that worked hard bringing their crops to market. They were proud of their profession and important members of the community who banded together to help each other in good times and bad.
This collection of nine classic farming history films shows a variety of examples of farmers, farming and farming technologies that were shaping the 1940's and 1950's (and beyond) both in the United States and in Chile, South America - which gives a fascinating counterpoint of two different culture's views on farmers and farming.
Here are the contents of each of the films in the agriculture and farming film collection:
Agriculture USA
This film explores the mix of technology and agriculture giving several examples of how state of the art equipment is improving yields and bringing more and better food to the people. Audio/Visual: sound, b&w |
Agricultural Aviation (1955)
A fascination exploration of how airplanes and helicopters are being used to help farmers by crop dusting with a variety of insecticides. It also gives a discussion of what the pesticides do with examples of how they keep the crop pest populations under control. Producer: Film Originals |
The Big Delivery Wagon (1951)
This film shows the complex processes and equipment needed to move crops from the farm to the Heinz factory where they are made into products, like ketchup, for the supermarket shelves. Producer: Fairbanks (Jerry) Productions |
Fundo in Chile (1949)
This film contrasts old farming methods vs modern farming methods on two large Chilean ranches and shows the daily lives and rituals of the people who work on the ranches. It is a fascinating contrast of how much more productive modern farming methods are to traditional farming methods that were practices for centuries. Producer: Bryan (Julien) |
Henry Browne, Farmer (1942)
This film follows the daily life of a patriotic African American farmer from Georgia during World War II. It shows typical family life on the farm and explains how his daily efforts are an important part of the war effort. Producer: U.S. Department of Agriculture |
Miracles From Agriculture (1960)
This film discussed the improvements in agriculture over the past few decades and shows a typical modern supermarket as a showcase for all these improvements in growing and delivering food to the consumer. Producer: U.S. Department of Agriculture |
Science and Agriculture: The Story of Soy Beans (1952)
This film gives the history of soybeans from their beginnings in China to their introduction in the United States and explains how the plant is quite useful in a variety of applications both as food and as a natural way to promote soil conservation on the farm due to its unique characteristics - which are explained in detail. Audio/Visual: sound, b&w |
Seed for Tomorrow (1947)
This film shows the importance of unions and cooperatives to help farms succeed into the future. Lee Hays of the Weavers sings the theme song. Producer: Public Affairs Films, Inc. |
South Chile (1945)
A fascinating overview of the lives of the people and their agricultural methods in Patagonia which is located in South Chile. In addition to a fascinating view of the people of South Chile, the film has a variety of excellent shots of the natural wonders of South Chile - like glaciers and exotic mountain formations. Producer: Bryan (Julien) |
