John Babcock, Sunnygables, Ithaca, NY - Farmboy - Jonamac ProductionsJohn 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. 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 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.

John Babcock - Farmboy - Jonamac ProductionsFarmboy, 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

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