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Usda Educational Film “ Sam Farmer’S Cotton ” Agriculture African American Farming Xd3146 (1938)

1938 · Short film · 30 min

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Synopsis

This 1938 USDA film depicts the story of a Southern farmer -- Sam Farmer, his cotton farm, and the battle against boll weevil. The film was made in the post- Dust Bowl era, and preaches sustainable farming. As Sam’s cotton production is inadequate, he seeks guidance from a county agent who directs Sam towards fundamentals of cotton production such as seed selection, treatment, proper planting cultivation and terracing among others. The film was presented by the US Department of Agriculture in cooperation with Agriculture Extension Services of five southern states (:09). While the film shows the plight of a white farmer, African American farm workers appear throughout, as they played a vital role in the cotton industry in this era. Sam Framer was played by Fred O. McCown, and his wife played by Leila Bolt McCown, both of South Carolina. The film was directed by Maurice Ricker with camera by Carl Turvey. The opening scene shows farm workers, including African Americans, standing in a cotton field next to heaps of picked cotton (:47) which is then lifted onto the back of a wooden cart for transport. Sam keeps track of his harvest (2:04) as his wife Mary approaches him concerned about financial troubles (2:04). Sam delivers the first load of cotton to the gin (2:28). Cylinders suck the cotton up into the machine (2:34). A freshly pressed cotton bale rolls out (2:59) as the narrator notes this harvest of cotton appears to be sub-par due to early picking (3:13) which leaves the…

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Details

Running time
30 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

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