Sometimes people need a reminder

[moniss]

of the struggles farmer's face. From crisis to crisis with small bits of hope in between the small farmer's try to go on. I was thinking today about how that also reflects in other small businesses also. It brought memories to me of 3 films, among several, about small family farming that were deeply moving to me since I come from that background.

The first is "Country" from 1984 starring Sam Shepard and Jessica Lange. This movie touches the personal as well as the crisis situation that seems to face average small farmers on a constant basis. Lange was nominated for an Academy Award for her role. Ronald Reagan hated "Country" because he felt it went against his policies of greasing the skids for big ag.

The second one is "The Farmer's Wife" from 1998 which was a film documentary for PBS "Frontline" that was shown in parts. This was particularly meaningful to me since I knew people and situations exactly like Darrell and Juanita. Yes indeed people need to know that many times a farm family may face food insecurity and Christmas may come when the bank account is even less than dry.

The third one is "Bitter Harvest" from 1981 starring Ron Howard and Art Carney. This movie is based on the true story of the contamination of feed by the flame retardant PBB in Michigan. The movie details trying to find out what is making the cattle and the people sick.

You may remember these movies and yes there are more like "Places in the Heart" etc. and they're all good. Please take the time here and there to view these if you can. Also please don't come at me about how rural people voted. Remember that is not the purpose of this post and also remember that among the ones who vote MAGA there are also ones who vote Democratic. Please see the movies for what they show about those who live that life.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. It's in my blood

Last edited Sat Dec 6, 2025, 07:50 AM - Edit history (3)

And I'm final signature on the family trust. Enslaved ancestors on the Land in AL - and additional agri in GA, and MS.

My ancestors never received a hand out. I've never taken one, my father as final signature never took one.


Wait - scratch that . . .

Had it handed to us. Black American farmers didn't get all of the freebies and head starts that white farmers have. That's just the facts.

My hard heartedness comes from me believing that they have mismanaged their farms.

When you farm to do anything other than FEED people in your community -

You will fail every single time. They flew too close to the sun relying on foreign markets -and so they are where they are.

I will absolutely resent the fuck out of them if they get yet ANOTHER 'too big to fail' hand out.

It's enough. Let my family pick up that - and we'll feed Americans. When you've never had a loan - EVER since 1866 - you can do that. You learn how to manage against what you have.

Also - my dad picked up a shit load of land in Arkansas in the late 80s for the agribiz - but to this day? It's still hot. We've been 'organic' without being labeled since the late 1960's.

[Dave Bowman]

2. "Reagan hated "Country"".

What a shock. That stupid crooked hypocrite is a big reason why we're in this mess.