The March of Time: Post-War Farms

This documentary, featuring Westbrook Van Voorhis, delves into the realities of post-war farming in America. It highlights the struggles of small farmers who are overshadowed by the rise of large-scale, industrial agriculture. The film captures the tension between rural electrification, cooperatives, and the grim prospects for returning soldiers aspiring to farm.

Visually, the documentary presents stark imagery of advanced machinery dominating vast farmlands in California and New Jersey. These scenes illustrate how farming has evolved into a mechanized process, often reducing the human connection to the land. The film's commentary raises questions about the future of small-scale agriculture in a rapidly industrializing world. Collectors of documentary films and those interested in agricultural history will find this a noteworthy piece.