Agriculture Today - An Excerpt from the Documentary Farmboy Video

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 recent times, the future of the family farm worldwide is in serious jeopardy. Production costs far outweigh low selling prices. This trend, coupled with the fact that, in developing lands, most farmers are unable to afford necessary agricultural technology threaten the continued existence of family farms.

In urban United States, most school-aged children have very little idea where their food comes from. When questioned, many youths claim that the food they eat comes from the back room of the supermarket. Those who have some familiarity with agriculture assume that there will always be an abundant supply of food available to the American public. It is hoped that this documentary will create an awareness of these issues and further H.E. Babcock's mission of education and innovation in the field of agriculture.

Farmboy, a film based on the writings of John Babcock, discusses four intertwined themes:

1. John's experience as a farmboy during the Great Depression when agriculture was making the leap from horse to gas-power and mechanization. As a boy, John observed all of the changes taking place around him. He took an active role in the daily operations of the farm. During his idle time, he would play and explore. His experiences are both entertaining and enlightening.

2. The evolution of northeast agriculture and farm co-ops;

3. The career of H.E. Babcock in agriculture, nutrition and higher education; and

4. The perpetuation of H.E. Babcock's programs and programs in the United States and on a global level today.

Farmboy is narrated by interviews conducted with John Babcock, Per Pinstrup-Andersen (H.E. Babcock Professor, Cornell University), Joe Lockwood (GLF/AGWAY Historian), Gould Colman (Cornell University Archivist), John Marcham (Journalist), and many more. The documentary, conceived by Jake Gorst (Leisurama, 2005) contains vintage photography, archival films and re-enactments of John's childhood experiences.

Farmboy is currently in broadcast circulation on PBS. It is available for purchase at http://www.farmboymovie.com

yeah and there'll ...
yeah and there'll always be that majority? of people that'll think 'low prices' means a better deal.

Well? said.
Well? said.

Without local ...
Without local economies becoming more self sufficient, we are all at the mercy of centralized power whether it be government or corporations. We are dependent on them for not only our livelihood but our basic needs as human beings. These centralized powers do not often have our best interests in mind, their main objectives are power and money. The most radical thing we can do as human beings in today's society is become more self? sufficient, within ourselves and our local communities.

Yes we must take ...
Yes we must take care of farms, but the solution is not in increasing efficiency. The solution is in the local economy. The fossil fuel inputs of chemical fertilizers and machinery and transportation is too great for the Earth to handle. This is not to mention too expensive for farmers to afford. Many more people are going to have to learn how to do good honest farm labor again in? the future.

Absolutely!?
Absolutely!?

I think that the ...
I think that the impact of society? being less in touch with their food source is a huge cultural loss but also will have serious and lasting impact on their health, as well.

This is so right on ...
This is so right on the money. As we have? urbanized, many of us have lost touch with where our food comes from. It comes from the grocery store, of course! ;o) What a visionary H.E. Babcock was. Just amazing!