Sam Farmer's Cotton

About

This educational and instructional film, made in collaboration with the U.S. Army Museum in New York, follows the struggles and eventual success of a Southern cotton farmer, Sam Farmer, as he learns improved agricultural practices to increase his cotton yield and profitability. The film begins by depicting Sam’s initial hardships—poor soil, pest infestations, and improper farming techniques—that lead to low-quality cotton and financial distress. His struggles also affect his home life, forcing him to break promises to his wife, Mary, about improving their living conditions.

As Sam faces setbacks at the cotton gin, where his cotton is deemed low-quality and undervalued, he observes his more successful neighbor, John Jones, who produces higher-yielding, better-quality cotton. Encouraged by his wife and local agricultural extension agents, Sam seeks guidance from the county agent, Mr. Smith, who carefully evaluates his farming practices. Through expert advice, Sam learns the importance of proper seed selection, soil conservation, terracing, fertilization, boll weevil control, and careful harvesting techniques.

Determined to turn his farm around, Sam adopts new methods, including planting pedigreed seed, spacing his rows correctly, using crop rotation, applying fertilizers efficiently, and treating his cotton for pests and diseases. Over time, these changes result in healthier plants, improved cotton quality, and a higher market price for his crop. His renewed success not only secures his family's financial future but also allows him to fulfill his promise to improve their home.

The film serves as both an educational and motivational resource for farmers, demonstrating how scientific agricultural advancements and expert guidance can transform struggling farms into productive and profitable enterprises. Through its storytelling approach, the film highlights the importance of embracing innovation, persistence, and community support in overcoming agricultural challenges.

Types of Media: Video Cassette Dimension: 3/4 inch Element Number: 1 Format: Video: U-matic Reel Tape Disc Number: 1

Human-made No record of this work says a model made it. What this means.

Archive

Internet Archive, in FedFlix: US government films

Licence or status

The Internet Archive states none for this item.

Credit

United States Department of Agriculture

Who can watch

The archive gives no rating. Invisible Network shows it to Teens profiles and older, judged from its collection and subjects. How films are placed