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In Stock, Ships Immediately!
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DVD: $19.95
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 oral history |
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Directed By: Jake Gorst
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Release Date: 2007-05-25
Running Time: 1:04
Content Rating: GA (General Audience)
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DVD Region: All Regions
Media Format: NTSC-DVD
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Audio Language(s): English
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Genres: Documentary >> History Influences: O Brother Where Art Thou?, A Prairie Home Companion, Fried Green Tomatoes, The W |
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John Babcock was born on August 10, 1922. He spent his childhood on his family's farm known as Sunnygables during the Great Depression. John?s father, Howard Edward Babcock, used Sunnygables as his testing ground in developing many revolutionary farming techniques, now taken for granted. Elevated milking parlors, home freezers, rubber automobile tires on farm tractors and implements, and many more innovations were introduced to American farmers at Sunnygables. H.E. Babcock was the first professor of farm marketing (1921) and later Chairman of the Board (1940s) at Cornell University. He was a key figure in the development of today?s food nutrition standards. He was a driving force behind the development of the Grange League Federation (G.L.F.), known as Agway today, and was a vocal advocate of the farm cooperative. He was part of the Cornell consortium that convinced Roosevelt to go off the gold standard during the Depression. H.E. was also well known for his column, 'Kernels, Screenings and Chaff' in the farm magazine American Agriculturist.
The story of Sunnygables and the Babcock family is important for a full understanding of American cultural development in the 20th century. Every American dinner table experienced the changes effected by this farm. The principles and programs developed by H.E. Babcock helped save the American Farm back then and are now saving farms in other lands.
In developing lands today, most farmers are unable to afford necessary agricultural technology. In urban United States, most school-aged children have very little idea where their food comes from. Most assume that there will always be an abundant supply of food available to the American public. This documentary creates an awareness of these issues and furthers H.E. Babcock's mission of education and innovation in the field of agriculture.