1 00:00:01,731 --> 00:00:08,164 "America's Heartland is made possible by... 2 00:00:08,164 --> 00:00:11,064 They make up a small part of our population. 3 00:00:11,064 --> 00:00:13,764 But have a huge impact on our lives. 4 00:00:13,764 --> 00:00:17,998 They take business risks that few others would tolerate all on 5 00:00:17,998 --> 00:00:19,364 our behalf. 6 00:00:19,364 --> 00:00:24,131 They're American farmers who feed, fuel and clothe the world. 7 00:00:24,131 --> 00:00:28,431 Monsanto would like to recognize them for all they do, for the 8 00:00:28,431 --> 00:00:32,898 rest of us, because ultimately our success and everyone else's 9 00:00:32,898 --> 00:00:35,631 depends on theirs 10 00:00:35,631 --> 00:00:39,164 "...and by the American Farm Bureau Federation - 11 00:00:39,164 --> 00:00:42,964 the voice of agriculture." 12 00:00:42,964 --> 00:00:46,364 COMING UP...THE ROOTS OF AMERICA'S HEARTLAND ARE DEEP AND 13 00:00:46,364 --> 00:00:49,664 DIVERSE...WE'LL MEET SOME OF THE MANY MEXICAN FARMWORKERS WHO 14 00:00:49,664 --> 00:00:52,498 HELPED FEED OUR NATION DURING WORLD WAR TWO... 15 00:00:52,498 --> 00:00:54,831 A TEXAS RANCH DATING BACK TO THE EARLIEST SPANISH 16 00:00:54,831 --> 00:00:58,864 SETTLERS ADJUSTS TO MODERN TIMES...AND TOURISM... 17 00:00:58,864 --> 00:01:01,864 THE PEACH STATE HONORS ITS NAMESAKE FRUIT AND 18 00:01:01,864 --> 00:01:03,664 CELEBRATES THE HARVEST... 19 00:01:03,664 --> 00:01:06,964 AND A CALIFORNIA FARMER WHOSE JUICY CROP EVOKES SOME OF OUR 20 00:01:06,964 --> 00:01:09,198 SWEETEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES. 21 00:01:09,198 --> 00:01:13,631 AMERICA'S HEARTLAND IS NEXT. 22 00:01:13,631 --> 00:01:21,698 You can see it in the eyes of every woman and man an America's 23 00:01:21,698 --> 00:01:25,998 Heartland living close to the land. 24 00:01:25,998 --> 00:01:32,398 There's a love for the country and a pride in the brand in 25 00:01:32,398 --> 00:01:42,598 America's Heartland living close, close to the land. 26 00:01:42,598 --> 00:01:51,364 In America's Heartland. 27 00:01:51,364 --> 00:01:54,264 HELLO I'm Paul Ryan AND WELCOME TO AMERICA'S Heartland. 28 00:01:54,264 --> 00:01:57,431 This time coming to you from the corn and chili fields of 29 00:01:57,431 --> 00:01:59,364 southeastern Arizona. 30 00:01:59,364 --> 00:02:03,164 ONE OF OUR GREAT AMERICAN IDEALS IS OUR BELIEF THAT HARD WORK AND 31 00:02:03,164 --> 00:02:06,698 DEDICATION REWARDS ANYONE, REGARDLESS OF BACKGROUND, race, 32 00:02:06,698 --> 00:02:08,064 OR religion. 33 00:02:08,064 --> 00:02:11,164 HISTORY SUGGESTS THAT AGRICULTURE CAN PROVIDE A 34 00:02:11,164 --> 00:02:13,864 STEPPING STONE FOR NEW GENERATIONS TO ACHIEVE THE 35 00:02:13,864 --> 00:02:15,098 AMERICAN DREAM. 36 00:02:15,098 --> 00:02:17,531 And WE FOUND A GOOD EXAMPLE IN THE DARK EARLY DAYS OF 37 00:02:17,531 --> 00:02:18,831 WORLD WAR TWO. 38 00:02:18,831 --> 00:02:22,031 OUR NATION DESPERATELY NEEDED WORKERS TO WORK ON OUR FARMS AND 39 00:02:22,031 --> 00:02:23,498 IN OUR FIELDS. 40 00:02:23,498 --> 00:02:27,131 MILLIONS OF MEXICAN Men ANSWERED THE CALL - PROVIDING INCOME FOR 41 00:02:27,131 --> 00:02:30,431 THEIR FAMILIES AND Food and FIBER for us. 42 00:02:30,431 --> 00:02:32,664 I RECENTLY HAD A CHANCE TO MEET SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO TOOK PART 43 00:02:32,664 --> 00:02:34,964 IN ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST SUCCESSFUL GUEST 44 00:02:34,964 --> 00:02:36,464 WORKER PROGRAMS. 45 00:02:36,464 --> 00:02:41,331 THEY ARE CALLED...BRACEROS.. 46 00:02:41,331 --> 00:02:46,831 Braceros: the name comes from the Spanish word 47 00:02:46,831 --> 00:02:49,031 for "arms": brazos. 48 00:02:49,031 --> 00:02:52,098 And the need for these strong-armed men began shortly 49 00:02:52,098 --> 00:02:55,698 after the United States entered World War Two. 50 00:02:55,698 --> 00:02:58,664 When American men left their jobs to fight overseas, the void 51 00:02:58,664 --> 00:03:00,098 had to be filled. 52 00:03:00,098 --> 00:03:02,198 So an agreement was drawn up between the U.S. 53 00:03:02,198 --> 00:03:06,264 and Mexican governments allowing Mexican men to work thousands of 54 00:03:06,264 --> 00:03:10,698 temporary jobs in the US -- some on the railroads but most in 55 00:03:10,698 --> 00:03:14,064 agriculture, primarily in the southwest, northwest, 56 00:03:14,064 --> 00:03:16,131 and California. 57 00:03:16,131 --> 00:03:18,664 The news about this new "braceros" program spread 58 00:03:18,664 --> 00:03:21,164 quickly to every corner of Mexico. 59 00:03:21,164 --> 00:03:25,064 To get started, all a man had to do was to apply at a local 60 00:03:25,064 --> 00:03:26,598 recruitment center. 61 00:03:26,598 --> 00:03:29,298 "And one of the first cities that opened up the centers was 62 00:03:29,298 --> 00:03:32,298 Mexico City in 1942. 63 00:03:32,298 --> 00:03:35,831 And in 1942 they attracted braceros. 64 00:03:35,831 --> 00:03:39,198 Too many of them, actually, to be contracted. 65 00:03:39,198 --> 00:03:41,631 They figured they'd get four or five thousand. 66 00:03:41,631 --> 00:03:44,298 They got about 50,000 people just in the city of Mexico the 67 00:03:44,298 --> 00:03:46,498 first time they tried to contract them." 68 00:03:46,498 --> 00:03:48,931 While still in Mexico, prospective braceros were 69 00:03:48,931 --> 00:03:51,664 screened to make sure they had no criminal record. 70 00:03:51,664 --> 00:03:54,098 Once accepted, the men were transported from 71 00:03:54,098 --> 00:03:56,298 Mexico to the U.S... 72 00:03:56,298 --> 00:03:59,431 The program worked so well that it continued far after World War 73 00:03:59,431 --> 00:04:03,164 Two, officially ending 1964. 74 00:04:03,164 --> 00:04:07,598 For many braceros, their first stop was southwest Texas. 75 00:04:07,598 --> 00:04:10,098 "Just outside the city of El Paso is the community of 76 00:04:10,098 --> 00:04:13,564 Socorro, Texas where you will find this collection of historic 77 00:04:13,564 --> 00:04:16,164 buildings known as Rio Vista Farm. 78 00:04:16,164 --> 00:04:19,864 It began as a poor farm, a refuge for rural poor 79 00:04:19,864 --> 00:04:21,964 back in 1915. 80 00:04:21,964 --> 00:04:25,964 But in 1951 it became a processing center for bracero 81 00:04:25,964 --> 00:04:29,364 crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico into El Paso. 82 00:04:29,364 --> 00:04:33,998 Thousands came through here and today some have returned." 83 00:04:33,998 --> 00:04:38,564 "It was years and years ago but I still remember all this..." 84 00:04:38,564 --> 00:04:42,031 Mauro Rodriguez left his family's farm in Mexico to forge 85 00:04:42,031 --> 00:04:44,598 a new life in the United States. 86 00:04:44,598 --> 00:04:49,231 If I didn't pass as bracero, we would die over there. 87 00:04:49,231 --> 00:04:51,898 We die because we was poor people up there." 88 00:04:51,898 --> 00:04:53,464 "My father was a farmer. 89 00:04:53,464 --> 00:04:55,964 I born in the country and studied agriculture at 90 00:04:55,964 --> 00:04:57,798 school in Mexico." 91 00:04:57,798 --> 00:05:01,864 This background in farming made Jose Ramirez Delgado a natural 92 00:05:01,864 --> 00:05:03,731 for the braceros program. 93 00:05:03,731 --> 00:05:07,498 He came through Rio Vista after having farmed cotton in Mexico. 94 00:05:07,498 --> 00:05:10,731 That gave him an advantage since picking and processing cotton 95 00:05:10,731 --> 00:05:14,631 were skills in high demand in Texas and New Mexico. 96 00:05:14,631 --> 00:05:18,964 Today, he lives in Juarez, Mexico near El Paso. 97 00:05:18,964 --> 00:05:20,964 This was the first time he'd been back to 98 00:05:20,964 --> 00:05:24,364 Rio Vista in decades. 99 00:05:24,364 --> 00:05:28,498 "Thank God I've been able to come back to see where I was 100 00:05:28,498 --> 00:05:31,598 contracted to work in the fields. 101 00:05:31,598 --> 00:05:37,164 I even worked at that ranch across the street." 102 00:05:37,164 --> 00:05:40,398 Today, while part of Rio Vista is a community center, much of 103 00:05:40,398 --> 00:05:43,431 it remains in a state of arrested decay. 104 00:05:43,431 --> 00:05:51,031 But that makes it easy to reminisce. 105 00:05:51,031 --> 00:05:54,298 "This one was contracting and this one was contracting 106 00:05:54,298 --> 00:05:58,464 As a new high school graduate in 1957, Minerva Cheatum's first 107 00:05:58,464 --> 00:06:01,498 job was in the Rio Vista typing pool processing contracts for 108 00:06:01,498 --> 00:06:05,264 incoming and outgoing braceros. 109 00:06:05,264 --> 00:06:08,464 For many, their earnings supported families back home and 110 00:06:08,464 --> 00:06:11,531 supplied enough money to buy a few extras. 111 00:06:11,531 --> 00:06:13,898 "When they all came back they all were wearing western shirts, 112 00:06:13,898 --> 00:06:16,098 Levis, boots. 113 00:06:16,098 --> 00:06:19,331 Nice western hats and most of them had sewing machines, 114 00:06:19,331 --> 00:06:22,898 bicycles, and everything so when we took them back the buses had 115 00:06:22,898 --> 00:06:25,764 the sewing machines on top, you could see all the little 116 00:06:25,764 --> 00:06:28,664 wheels...you could see all the sewing machines and the bicycles 117 00:06:28,664 --> 00:06:30,398 that were going back to Mexico." 118 00:06:30,398 --> 00:06:33,931 In total, more than two million Mexican men worked as braceros. 119 00:06:33,931 --> 00:06:38,798 The program ended in 1964 in part because of concerns that it 120 00:06:38,798 --> 00:06:41,331 undermined wages for U.S. citizens. 121 00:06:41,331 --> 00:06:44,931 But as immigration and labor issues continue to be a topic of 122 00:06:44,931 --> 00:06:48,431 considerable debate, some politicians and agricultural 123 00:06:48,431 --> 00:06:52,098 leaders are lobbying for a new and expanded guest worker 124 00:06:52,098 --> 00:06:58,631 program similar to the successful "braceros". 125 00:06:58,631 --> 00:07:02,831 Many of those who worked in the program from 1942 through the 126 00:07:02,831 --> 00:07:05,431 late 40"s were entitled to receive monies deducted from 127 00:07:05,431 --> 00:07:07,764 their wages in accounts to be paid when they 128 00:07:07,764 --> 00:07:10,231 returned to Mexico. 129 00:07:10,231 --> 00:07:13,398 A large number of Braceros never received that money and several 130 00:07:13,398 --> 00:07:17,598 lawsuits have failed to resolve the issue. 131 00:07:17,598 --> 00:07:19,964 WE FOUND ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THAT HARD WORK AND SUCCESS IN SOUTH 132 00:07:19,964 --> 00:07:24,198 TEXAS IN A PLACE CALLED 'LLANOS MESTANOS' 133 00:07:24,198 --> 00:07:25,764 THE 'WILD HORSE PLAINS." 134 00:07:25,764 --> 00:07:29,164 THE HISTORY OF THAT REGION IS BEING KEPT ALIVE ON CATTLE 135 00:07:29,164 --> 00:07:31,464 RANCHES THAT HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION FOR 2-HUNDRED 136 00:07:31,464 --> 00:07:34,098 YEARS...SOME IN HANDS OF THE DESCENDANTS OF THOSE 137 00:07:34,098 --> 00:07:35,431 ORIGINAL SETTLERS. 138 00:07:35,431 --> 00:07:40,998 JASON SHOULTZ HAS THE STORY. 139 00:07:40,998 --> 00:07:42,731 "We have a 40 percent chance of rain today." 140 00:07:42,731 --> 00:07:46,331 "We might get a few drops. 141 00:07:46,331 --> 00:07:49,998 Rain may be in the forecast, but rancher Isidro Gutierrez isn't 142 00:07:49,998 --> 00:07:52,098 hopeful today... 143 00:07:52,098 --> 00:07:53,898 "There's a lot of clouds, but they don't look like rain clouds 144 00:07:53,898 --> 00:07:55,264 to me." 145 00:07:55,264 --> 00:07:59,131 On this day, south Texas is in the middle of a tough drought. 146 00:07:59,131 --> 00:08:03,431 Isidro often worries how the arid heat might affect his 150 147 00:08:03,431 --> 00:08:04,998 head of cattle. 148 00:08:04,998 --> 00:08:08,198 It's a concern no doubt shared by the many ranchers who worked 149 00:08:08,198 --> 00:08:10,064 this land before him. 150 00:08:10,064 --> 00:08:14,864 "I remember, as a little boy, maybe five or six years old, the 151 00:08:14,864 --> 00:08:21,064 drought of the 50's it was a heck of a drought back then. 152 00:08:21,064 --> 00:08:24,231 But the story of this ranch dates back well 153 00:08:24,231 --> 00:08:25,931 before the 1950's. 154 00:08:25,931 --> 00:08:29,098 It's part of a legacy unique to the United States. 155 00:08:29,098 --> 00:08:33,164 This area was settled by the Spanish in the 17-hundreds. 156 00:08:33,164 --> 00:08:38,464 "This ranch was founded back in 1740 by my great great great 157 00:08:38,464 --> 00:08:40,364 great grandfather. 158 00:08:40,364 --> 00:08:43,364 A fellow who's name was Simon DeHinahosa. 159 00:08:43,364 --> 00:08:47,531 And he came to this area with his three or four brothers and 160 00:08:47,531 --> 00:08:50,298 they all founded ranches in the area." 161 00:08:50,298 --> 00:08:52,931 The land is called "Noriecitas Ranch." 162 00:08:52,931 --> 00:08:55,098 Spanish for "little wells." 163 00:08:55,098 --> 00:08:57,898 Named after the many springs that once quenched 164 00:08:57,898 --> 00:08:59,298 this parched land. 165 00:08:59,298 --> 00:09:03,131 At one point, Isidro's ancestors owned 25-thousand acres. 166 00:09:03,131 --> 00:09:06,298 Now, Isidro and his sister Idela manage only about 167 00:09:06,298 --> 00:09:09,531 7-hundred acres. 168 00:09:09,531 --> 00:09:12,498 "My grandfather said, 'someday you are going to run this ranch, 169 00:09:12,498 --> 00:09:14,864 and I want you to know how to work it.' 170 00:09:14,864 --> 00:09:18,431 "I was one of those girls that instead of playing with dolls, I 171 00:09:18,431 --> 00:09:23,198 was riding horses." 172 00:09:23,198 --> 00:09:27,298 "I was helping them work cattle, you know. 173 00:09:27,298 --> 00:09:29,531 And my grandmother would say, 'No no no! 174 00:09:29,531 --> 00:09:31,898 Today is sewing lesson, today.' 175 00:09:31,898 --> 00:09:34,831 And I would go, 'oh gosh, not sewing lesson today. 176 00:09:34,831 --> 00:09:37,931 I have to go ride my horse." 177 00:09:37,931 --> 00:09:40,764 This area is considered the North American birthplace of 178 00:09:40,764 --> 00:09:44,298 Spanish cowboys or "vaqueros." 179 00:09:44,298 --> 00:09:47,598 Over the years many of the historic ranches were divided 180 00:09:47,598 --> 00:09:49,698 and sold to different owners. 181 00:09:49,698 --> 00:09:55,864 But others, like Noriecitas, are still in the same families. 182 00:09:55,864 --> 00:09:59,864 Not far from Noriecitas is Randado Ranch. 183 00:09:59,864 --> 00:10:03,231 The restored church was built in the 1830's by the ancestors of 184 00:10:03,231 --> 00:10:05,698 Bernardo Delagarza. 185 00:10:05,698 --> 00:10:08,731 Now it's part of the two thousand acre ranch owned by 186 00:10:08,731 --> 00:10:11,064 Bernardo and his wife Alma. 187 00:10:11,064 --> 00:10:15,298 Just as Randado Ranch welcomed travelers in the 1800's, today 188 00:10:15,298 --> 00:10:19,098 it's a popular spot for "winter Texans" - folks coming here from 189 00:10:19,098 --> 00:10:20,698 the northern U.S. 190 00:10:20,698 --> 00:10:22,698 to escape chilly temperatures. 191 00:10:22,698 --> 00:10:25,464 Most of the old buildings are gone, but explore the property 192 00:10:25,464 --> 00:10:28,298 with Bernardo and you'll still find some interesting remnants 193 00:10:28,298 --> 00:10:29,931 of the past. 194 00:10:29,931 --> 00:10:32,698 "As you can tell, these old wooden doors, there's not a 195 00:10:32,698 --> 00:10:34,031 single nail on them. 196 00:10:34,031 --> 00:10:36,098 They're all wooden pegs. 197 00:10:36,098 --> 00:10:40,464 They're the original doors that are on here." 198 00:10:40,464 --> 00:10:44,364 "They had at least 44 families living here at one time. 199 00:10:44,364 --> 00:10:48,298 With many skilled workers in many trades. 200 00:10:48,298 --> 00:10:52,364 They had a cotton mill, they had a sugar mill. 201 00:10:52,364 --> 00:10:56,031 They had a mason, they had bakers, had carpenters." 202 00:10:56,031 --> 00:10:58,564 Whenever they would butcher beef, you had to 203 00:10:58,564 --> 00:11:00,398 have a big fandango. 204 00:11:00,398 --> 00:11:03,631 A big party in order to utilize all that meat." 205 00:11:03,631 --> 00:11:07,531 Today fandangos are few across this quiet countryside. 206 00:11:07,531 --> 00:11:11,131 Like everywhere else, cattle go to market for processing. 207 00:11:11,131 --> 00:11:15,664 Times have changed, but these families share the same values 208 00:11:15,664 --> 00:11:19,398 with those who came before them: a willingness to answer life's 209 00:11:19,398 --> 00:11:22,964 challenges with hard work.... a deep desire to preserve 210 00:11:22,964 --> 00:11:24,431 their history. 211 00:11:24,431 --> 00:11:28,131 "I like the ranch and I like to work with cattle. 212 00:11:28,131 --> 00:11:30,831 And I love history. 213 00:11:30,831 --> 00:11:34,431 And I just want to keep this up as much as I can." 214 00:11:34,431 --> 00:11:38,398 "There's not too many people that can say that your ranch is 215 00:11:38,398 --> 00:11:41,331 over 200 years old and still in the same family. 216 00:11:41,331 --> 00:11:46,531 You know, that's quite an honor." 217 00:11:46,531 --> 00:11:52,531 As far back as 1775, Texas was teeming with cattle and horses 218 00:11:52,531 --> 00:11:55,831 which had reproduced by the thousands from stock left behind 219 00:11:55,831 --> 00:11:59,798 by Spanish military troops that explored and settled the region 220 00:11:59,798 --> 00:12:07,231 from 1680 to 1760. 221 00:12:07,231 --> 00:12:11,264 Still to come on America's Heartland...We'll Take you down 222 00:12:11,264 --> 00:12:15,764 south to savor the flavor of Georgia's famous peaches....and 223 00:12:15,764 --> 00:12:18,064 meet the farmers who grow them. 224 00:12:18,064 --> 00:12:24,164 Plus a trip to California and a peach farmer poet! 225 00:12:24,164 --> 00:12:27,331 THERE ARE FEW TASTES OF SUMMER MORE SYMBOLIC AND SUCCULENT THAN 226 00:12:27,331 --> 00:12:28,764 THIS RIGHT HERE. 227 00:12:28,764 --> 00:12:30,564 THE PLUMP, RIPE, JUICY PEACH! 228 00:12:30,564 --> 00:12:33,164 OF COURSE THE FUZZY FRUIT IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH 229 00:12:33,164 --> 00:12:34,498 THE PEACH STATE. 230 00:12:34,498 --> 00:12:38,264 PAT MCCONAHAY RECENTLY VISITED A GEORGIA FARM THAT'S BEEN RAISING 231 00:12:38,264 --> 00:12:41,264 PEACHES FOR A HUNDRED YEARS...AND DISCOVERING NEW WAYS 232 00:12:41,264 --> 00:12:46,398 TO SHARE THEM WITH FRUIT LOVERS ALL ACROSS THE HEARTLAND. 233 00:12:46,398 --> 00:12:49,164 June is the height of peach season in, where else, but the 234 00:12:49,164 --> 00:12:54,298 state known for this juicy sweet fruit: Georgia. 235 00:12:54,298 --> 00:12:57,498 That means things are in high gear at Lane Packing Company- 236 00:12:57,498 --> 00:13:00,964 home to extensive orchards and Georgia's largest peach 237 00:13:00,964 --> 00:13:02,631 packing operation 238 00:13:02,631 --> 00:13:04,931 MY GREAT GRANDFATHER WAS A PIONEER IN THE PEACH 239 00:13:04,931 --> 00:13:09,964 INDUSTRY IN THE EARLY 1900S AND HE DID THINGS YOU KNOW, HIGHLY 240 00:13:09,964 --> 00:13:12,698 DIFFERENT THAN WE DO THINGS NOW. 241 00:13:12,698 --> 00:13:14,231 HE DIDN'T HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY 242 00:13:14,231 --> 00:13:16,798 Duke Lane is a fourth generation family member who's carrying on 243 00:13:16,798 --> 00:13:19,098 the legacy:. 244 00:13:19,098 --> 00:13:23,198 Despite technological advances, one thing that's pretty much 245 00:13:23,198 --> 00:13:26,831 stayed the same is harvesting - one by one...each peach is 246 00:13:26,831 --> 00:13:28,731 picked by hand. 247 00:13:28,731 --> 00:13:31,298 WHY IS IT SO LABOR INTENSIVE IT'S JUST A DELICATE FRUIT. 248 00:13:31,298 --> 00:13:34,964 IT BRUISES EASY David Lane is Duke's cousin. 249 00:13:34,964 --> 00:13:38,031 He oversees the family's nearly 3 thousand acre orchard. 250 00:13:38,031 --> 00:13:41,864 Home to 237,000 trees that produce 20 million 251 00:13:41,864 --> 00:13:43,898 pounds of peaches. 252 00:13:43,898 --> 00:13:46,764 Out of the 40 commercial varieties of peaches grown in 253 00:13:46,764 --> 00:13:50,898 Georgia, Lane Packing produces about 30 that mature at 254 00:13:50,898 --> 00:13:53,864 different rates through the May to August harvest season 255 00:13:53,864 --> 00:13:55,164 THESE ARE A CARAMAC. 256 00:13:55,164 --> 00:13:56,398 These are a caramac 257 00:13:56,398 --> 00:13:58,698 WHICH IS A FREESTONE AND FREESTONE MEANS? 258 00:13:58,698 --> 00:14:01,564 When YOU CUT THE PEACH IN HALF, IF IT'S RIPE IT, 259 00:14:01,564 --> 00:14:03,464 this is an early freestone it 260 00:14:03,464 --> 00:14:05,698 WILL COME AWAY FROM THE SEED 261 00:14:05,698 --> 00:14:08,298 In spite of its distinction as the "Peach State", 262 00:14:08,298 --> 00:14:10,064 today Georgia ranks 263 00:14:10,064 --> 00:14:14,064 third in U-S production behind California and South Carolina, 264 00:14:14,064 --> 00:14:18,564 with more than 15 thousand acres of trees-still there's just 265 00:14:18,564 --> 00:14:21,498 something about a Georgia peach. 266 00:14:21,498 --> 00:14:23,431 ONLY PLACE YOU'RE GOING TO GET A PEACH LIKE THIS IS RIGHT WHERE 267 00:14:23,431 --> 00:14:24,431 YOU'RE STANDIN. 268 00:14:24,431 --> 00:14:25,798 (LAUGH) THAT'S RIGHT. 269 00:14:25,798 --> 00:14:26,831 YOU WANT TO TASTE IT? 270 00:14:26,831 --> 00:14:28,064 SURE why not? 271 00:14:28,064 --> 00:14:33,164 IT DOESN'T GET ANY FRESHER THAN THIS AND MESSY. 272 00:14:33,164 --> 00:14:35,098 LOT OF JUICE. 273 00:14:35,098 --> 00:14:38,264 After the peaches are harvested it's onto the packing shed. 274 00:14:38,264 --> 00:14:42,798 SOMETHING YOU'LL RARELY GET TO EXPERIENCE ON ANY OTHER FARM IS 275 00:14:42,798 --> 00:14:48,464 WATCHING THE PEACH PACKING PROCESS EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. 276 00:14:48,464 --> 00:14:51,831 You can enjoy a bird's eye view of all of the activity from an 277 00:14:51,831 --> 00:14:54,398 elevated walkway that extends the entire length of 278 00:14:54,398 --> 00:14:56,164 the operation. 279 00:14:56,164 --> 00:14:58,698 These free-self guided tours are available throughout the 280 00:14:58,698 --> 00:15:01,298 harvesting season. 281 00:15:01,298 --> 00:15:04,531 If you follow the peach journey from beginning to end you'll see 282 00:15:04,531 --> 00:15:08,764 how they're first cooled from 97 degrees to 36. 283 00:15:08,764 --> 00:15:11,864 That stops the ripening process so when the peaches make it to 284 00:15:11,864 --> 00:15:14,198 market they have a longer shelf life. 285 00:15:14,198 --> 00:15:19,398 They also have to be washed graded sized ....and something 286 00:15:19,398 --> 00:15:23,264 else very important-that fuzz has to be removed. 287 00:15:23,264 --> 00:15:26,598 AND BACK IN THE OLD DAYS WE USED TO BRING THEM IN WE WOULD DUMP 288 00:15:26,598 --> 00:15:29,098 THEM ON A DRY BELT AND THE PEACH FUZZ WILL BE IN THE AIR AND MAKE 289 00:15:29,098 --> 00:15:31,764 YOU ITCH. WOW. 290 00:15:31,764 --> 00:15:35,631 IN THE PROCESS OF THE PACKING SHED IT WILL WASH AND TURN...OF 291 00:15:35,631 --> 00:15:37,998 COURSE THE BRUSHES LIKE THAT ON TOP AND BOTTOM...AND THEN IT 292 00:15:37,998 --> 00:15:41,131 WASHES IT OFF, SHINES IT UP AND MAKES IT PRETTY FOR THE STORE. 293 00:15:41,131 --> 00:15:44,198 But, If you happen to be in the area You can get fruit fresh off 294 00:15:44,198 --> 00:15:47,098 the trees when you pay a visit to Lane Packing. 295 00:15:47,098 --> 00:15:51,031 This roadside market was built in 1990, along with a gift shop 296 00:15:51,031 --> 00:15:54,798 where you can pick up all things peach.... and a café where you 297 00:15:54,798 --> 00:15:57,598 won't want to pass up the peach ice cream. 298 00:15:57,598 --> 00:15:59,431 THESE ARE THE BEST PEACHES THAT I CAN FIND. 299 00:15:59,431 --> 00:16:02,264 I'M HAPPY WHEN THEY'RE PACKIN..SO WHEN I'M COMIN 300 00:16:02,264 --> 00:16:04,931 THROUGH TOWN I ALWAYS STOP HERE AND I HAVE TO MAKE SURE I GET 301 00:16:04,931 --> 00:16:07,231 SOME OF THAT ICE CREAM, TOO. 302 00:16:07,231 --> 00:16:08,531 HAVE YOU BEEN HERE BEFORE? 303 00:16:08,531 --> 00:16:11,498 YES, I HAVE..I'M FIXIN TO GET SOME OF THESE PEACHES NOW In 304 00:16:11,498 --> 00:16:15,431 2005 Lane packing added tram tours of the peach and pecan 305 00:16:15,431 --> 00:16:19,631 orchards The short fat trees are peaches and you can see plenty 306 00:16:19,631 --> 00:16:21,398 of peaches on the trees. 307 00:16:21,398 --> 00:16:24,531 During the 30-minute ride tour guides explain the history of 308 00:16:24,531 --> 00:16:28,464 Georgia's peach industry as well as how the fuzzy fruit is grown 309 00:16:28,464 --> 00:16:30,564 and harvested. 310 00:16:30,564 --> 00:16:33,398 Even though lane Packing is always expanding - whether 311 00:16:33,398 --> 00:16:37,798 through agricultural tourism or new produce selections...it will 312 00:16:37,798 --> 00:16:41,531 still always be about WHEN YOU TALK LANE THE FIRST THING YOU 313 00:16:41,531 --> 00:16:44,831 THINK ABOUT IS A PEACH AND GEORGIA. 314 00:16:44,831 --> 00:16:46,864 WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT GEORGIA AND PEACHES I THINK IT'S 315 00:16:46,864 --> 00:16:52,664 ALL SYNONOMOUS 316 00:16:52,664 --> 00:16:55,964 Georgia is known as the "Peach State", but two other crops are 317 00:16:55,964 --> 00:16:58,264 more significant to the state's agriculture. 318 00:16:58,264 --> 00:17:01,664 Georgia leads the nation in the production of 319 00:17:01,664 --> 00:17:04,898 peanuts and pecans. 320 00:17:04,898 --> 00:17:07,898 THOSE DELICIOUS GEORGIA PEACHES ARE ONLY AVAILABLE SIXTEEN WEEKS 321 00:17:07,898 --> 00:17:10,064 EACH YEAR, FROM MID-MAY TO MID-AUGUST. 322 00:17:10,064 --> 00:17:12,431 AND MOST OF THEM ARE GROWN IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE 323 00:17:12,431 --> 00:17:16,064 STATE...INCLUDING the apply named PEACH COUNTY. 324 00:17:16,064 --> 00:17:18,531 WHICH IS WHERE WE FOUND GEORGIA'S BIGGEST CELEBRATION OF 325 00:17:18,531 --> 00:17:22,631 THE FABULOUS FRUIT! 326 00:17:22,631 --> 00:17:25,831 It's definitely all things "peach" during this June weekend 327 00:17:25,831 --> 00:17:28,098 in Fort Valley- home to the world famous, 328 00:17:28,098 --> 00:17:30,231 Georgia Peach Festival. 329 00:17:30,231 --> 00:17:34,498 The tiny town 90 miles south of Atlanta pays homage to the fuzzy 330 00:17:34,498 --> 00:17:36,531 fruit that put it on the map 331 00:17:36,531 --> 00:17:39,664 WE HAVE A LOT OF PEACH FARMERS AND A LOT OF PACKING SHEDS AND 332 00:17:39,664 --> 00:17:41,698 SO WE WANTED TO HONOR THE PEACH FARMERS AND WHAT THEY BRING TO 333 00:17:41,698 --> 00:17:42,998 THE COMMUNITY 334 00:17:42,998 --> 00:17:46,898 FORT VALLEY HAS BEEN THE HOTBED OF PEACH PRODUCTION FOR OVER 335 00:17:46,898 --> 00:17:48,898 A CENTURY. 336 00:17:48,898 --> 00:17:51,998 AND A LOT OF THE COMMERICAL PEACH INDUSTRY STARTED RIGHT 337 00:17:51,998 --> 00:17:55,964 HERE AND IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE CONTINUING TODAY. 338 00:17:55,964 --> 00:18:00,431 The festivities begin with a parade through the center of 339 00:18:00,431 --> 00:18:04,098 town -complete, of course, with bulging bins of peaches, 340 00:18:04,098 --> 00:18:09,898 colorful balloons and a lot of fanfare. 341 00:18:09,898 --> 00:18:12,764 But there are some other activities that you may not find 342 00:18:12,764 --> 00:18:14,398 in any other festival. 343 00:18:14,398 --> 00:18:17,931 For one thing theres the competition for the "Best Peach 344 00:18:17,931 --> 00:18:21,264 Hat", which drew some pretty unusual entries. 345 00:18:21,264 --> 00:18:22,764 SHE WORKED HARD ON THAT. 346 00:18:22,764 --> 00:18:24,798 LOOK AT ALL THAT STUFF 347 00:18:24,798 --> 00:18:26,431 The winner of this year's contest was 348 00:18:26,431 --> 00:18:28,331 Jean O'Shields 349 00:18:28,331 --> 00:18:32,331 THIS IS OUR SESQUECENTENNIAL AND I FELT LIKE 150 YEARS AGO A LADY 350 00:18:32,331 --> 00:18:35,898 COULD HAVE COME RIGHT DOWN HERE AND WORN THIS HAT. 351 00:18:35,898 --> 00:18:39,764 People know peaches aren't native to Georgia 352 00:18:39,764 --> 00:18:43,398 THE SPANISH MONKS, THEY BROUGHT PEACHES OVER AND WERE 353 00:18:43,398 --> 00:18:46,631 DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE STATE, AND WHEN SETTLERS CAME 354 00:18:46,631 --> 00:18:49,398 THERE WERE SO MANY PEACH TREES THAT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A 355 00:18:49,398 --> 00:18:52,198 NATIVE FRUIT AND SO IT BECAME THE PEACH STATE. 356 00:18:52,198 --> 00:18:56,364 The first Georgia Peach Festival was held in 1986 and today draws 357 00:18:56,364 --> 00:18:58,998 a crowd of Ten thousand people. 358 00:18:58,998 --> 00:19:01,898 One thing they come for is what Fort Valley claims is the 359 00:19:01,898 --> 00:19:04,664 largest peach cobbler in the world. 360 00:19:04,664 --> 00:19:07,598 Propane tanks actually fuel burners beneath the giant 361 00:19:07,598 --> 00:19:12,264 11-by-5 foot pan in front of the peach County Courthouse. 362 00:19:12,264 --> 00:19:14,998 Chef Rich Bennett and his crew start putting the dessert 363 00:19:14,998 --> 00:19:18,564 together at 5 a.m. for a 2 p.m. unveiling 364 00:19:18,564 --> 00:19:23,564 WE DIVIDED THE MIXTURE INTO SIX PARTS IN TRASH CANS, CLEAN TRASH 365 00:19:23,564 --> 00:19:28,664 CANS, AND MIXED IT UP WITH BOAT OAR and rakes. 366 00:19:28,664 --> 00:19:33,464 That mix includes 90 pounds of butter, 150 pounds of both flour 367 00:19:33,464 --> 00:19:39,131 and sugar, 32 gallons of milk and 75 gallons of fresh peaches 368 00:19:39,131 --> 00:19:40,798 from Lane packing Company 369 00:19:40,798 --> 00:19:42,464 THIS IS A FIRST FOR ME. 370 00:19:42,464 --> 00:19:45,031 I GET TO TRY FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME THE WORLD'S 371 00:19:45,031 --> 00:19:46,831 LARGEST PEACH COBBLER. 372 00:19:46,831 --> 00:19:49,264 FRESH OUT OF THE PAN. 373 00:19:49,264 --> 00:19:52,498 VERY HOT. 374 00:19:52,498 --> 00:19:54,498 IT'S HOT BUT IT'S GOOD. 375 00:19:54,498 --> 00:19:57,064 RICH, THINK YU'VE DONE SOMETHING RIGHT HERE 376 00:19:57,064 --> 00:20:00,098 The crew used five gallon buckets to dish out individual 377 00:20:00,098 --> 00:20:04,131 servings to a hungry crowd WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT? 378 00:20:04,131 --> 00:20:08,198 I JUST WONDER HOW THEY WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT SO BIG. 379 00:20:08,198 --> 00:20:11,031 IT'S REALLY GOOD 380 00:20:11,031 --> 00:20:12,898 THE COBBLER IS REAL GOOD. 381 00:20:12,898 --> 00:20:17,298 AND OF COURSE I'M WONDERING WHO FIGURED THE INGREDIENTS.AND HOW 382 00:20:17,298 --> 00:20:20,831 MUCH TO PUT PEACHES AND HOW MUCH OF THIS AND THAT AND THE OTHER. 383 00:20:20,831 --> 00:20:23,031 THEY DID A GOOD JOB. 384 00:20:23,031 --> 00:20:26,164 it's clear Georgia is proud of its peaches and peach County is 385 00:20:26,164 --> 00:20:28,698 pleased it can grow the fruit that gave this 386 00:20:28,698 --> 00:20:32,098 state its nickname! 387 00:20:32,098 --> 00:20:35,164 It may be hard to believe, but the peach is actually a member 388 00:20:35,164 --> 00:20:38,698 of the Rose Family and there's a bit of romance behind the name 389 00:20:38,698 --> 00:20:41,431 of one of the best known kind of peaches. 390 00:20:41,431 --> 00:20:45,664 In 1870, a Georgia peach farmer developed a new variety on his 391 00:20:45,664 --> 00:20:47,431 farm in Marshallville. 392 00:20:47,431 --> 00:20:51,698 He decided to name it in honor of his wife and the "Elberta" 393 00:20:51,698 --> 00:20:54,598 peach was born. 394 00:20:54,598 --> 00:20:57,964 WELL GEORGIA MAY BE SYNONYMOUS WITH THE PEACH, BUT YOU WILL 395 00:20:57,964 --> 00:21:01,064 FIND THEIR MOST IMPASSIONED ADVOCATE IN CALIFORNIA'S SAN 396 00:21:01,064 --> 00:21:02,531 JOAQUIN VALLEY. 397 00:21:02,531 --> 00:21:05,598 You'll nowmeet a farmer WHO'S BECOME THE POET LAUREATE OF 398 00:21:05,598 --> 00:21:09,331 PEACHES...AND TURNED SOME OF OUR SWEETEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES INTO 399 00:21:09,331 --> 00:21:12,131 A BEST-SELLING BOOK 400 00:21:12,131 --> 00:21:16,964 Here's an excerpt from Epithet for a Peach: "Suncrest is one of 401 00:21:16,964 --> 00:21:20,864 the last remaining truly juicy peaches when you wash that 402 00:21:20,864 --> 00:21:24,264 treasure under a stream of cooling water your fingertips 403 00:21:24,264 --> 00:21:28,298 instinctively search for the gushy side of the fruit, your 404 00:21:28,298 --> 00:21:32,098 mouth waters in anticipation, you lean over the sink to make 405 00:21:32,098 --> 00:21:36,564 sure you don't drip on yourself then you sink your teeth into 406 00:21:36,564 --> 00:21:40,764 the flesh and the juice trickles down your cheeks and dangles on 407 00:21:40,764 --> 00:21:42,331 you chin. 408 00:21:42,331 --> 00:21:46,164 This is a real bite, a primal act a magical sensory 409 00:21:46,164 --> 00:21:52,498 celebration announcing summer has arrived." 410 00:21:52,498 --> 00:21:58,864 Well I was born on this farm and my dad and mom had come back 411 00:21:58,864 --> 00:22:01,798 from the relocation camps after world war two. 412 00:22:01,798 --> 00:22:05,298 My grandparents immigrated from Japan at the turn of the century 413 00:22:05,298 --> 00:22:07,631 and were farm workers in this area. 414 00:22:07,631 --> 00:22:10,798 I decided like a lot of farm kids I didn't want to stay and I 415 00:22:10,798 --> 00:22:14,498 ran off to college and I ended up coming back. 416 00:22:14,498 --> 00:22:16,898 I BEGAN TO LISTEN TO MY NEIGHBORS BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE I 417 00:22:16,898 --> 00:22:19,898 WAS GOING TO LEARN A LOT ABOUT HOW TO FARM AND UNDERSTANDING 418 00:22:19,898 --> 00:22:23,298 THE THINGS THAT THEY'VE LEARNED THROUGH GENERATIONS AND I BEGAN 419 00:22:23,298 --> 00:22:27,364 TO HEAR THEIR STORIES AND THEIR STORIES ATTRACTED ME . 420 00:22:27,364 --> 00:22:29,931 THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I FARM. 421 00:22:29,931 --> 00:22:33,731 I FARM FOR STORIES, I THINK EVERY YEAR, EVERY PEACH HAS A 422 00:22:33,731 --> 00:22:38,831 STORY IN IT SO I ENDED UP WRITING A BOOK ABOUT THIS 423 00:22:38,831 --> 00:22:41,698 WONDERFUL PEACH AND THEN A COUPLE MORE BOOKS 424 00:22:41,698 --> 00:22:43,498 ABOUT THE FARM. 425 00:22:43,498 --> 00:22:46,098 I think our family's realizing that we are 426 00:22:46,098 --> 00:22:48,531 becoming such an anomaly. 427 00:22:48,531 --> 00:22:51,764 A very small percentage of people live on the land, 428 00:22:51,764 --> 00:22:54,931 actually work the land and work it as a family. 429 00:22:54,931 --> 00:22:59,398 So in that sense we can think of ourselves as being very rare. 430 00:22:59,398 --> 00:23:02,364 I like to think of ourselves as being special. 431 00:23:02,364 --> 00:23:06,231 My daughter says she'd like to come back and take 432 00:23:06,231 --> 00:23:08,064 over the farm. 433 00:23:08,064 --> 00:23:12,198 I didn't realize how much a farm girl I really am until I got to 434 00:23:12,198 --> 00:23:17,064 UC Berkeley and I realized that walking on sidewalks was a new 435 00:23:17,064 --> 00:23:21,131 event for me because out here I walk barefoot on dirt 436 00:23:21,131 --> 00:23:22,431 all the time. 437 00:23:22,431 --> 00:23:26,531 I LOVE LEARNING AND STUDYING BUT I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT I WANT TO 438 00:23:26,531 --> 00:23:29,464 COME BACK AND WORK WITH MY DAD. 439 00:23:29,464 --> 00:23:32,031 HE WAS THE ONE WHO TAUGHT ME HOW TO DRIVE A TRACTOR, HE WAS THE 440 00:23:32,031 --> 00:23:34,298 ONE WHO TAUGHT ME HOW TO DRIVE A FORKLIFT. 441 00:23:34,298 --> 00:23:38,031 LAST SUMMER I LEARNED HOW TO WELD, AND ALL THOSE FATHER AND 442 00:23:38,031 --> 00:23:40,731 DAUGHTER MOMENTS ARE JUST SO TIED TO BEING ON THE FARM, I 443 00:23:40,731 --> 00:23:43,498 JUST CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE EVER ABANDONING THIS PLACE OR THIS 444 00:23:43,498 --> 00:23:45,698 WAY OF LIFE. 445 00:23:45,698 --> 00:23:48,898 Wonderfully there's a home for these kind of heirloom variety 446 00:23:48,898 --> 00:23:52,964 peaches and also a home and audience for the stories I write 447 00:23:52,964 --> 00:23:55,731 about the land and our family on the land. 448 00:23:55,731 --> 00:23:59,031 I'm not sure what the farm will look like 10 to 20 years from 449 00:23:59,031 --> 00:24:02,964 now and I would like to think stories still have a place. 450 00:24:02,964 --> 00:24:08,731 following a farm disaster like a storm that destroys a years work 451 00:24:08,731 --> 00:24:13,464 a joke starts to circulate in the farming community, farmer to 452 00:24:13,464 --> 00:24:18,364 farmer, farm to farm, like good humor it makes all of us smile 453 00:24:18,364 --> 00:24:24,131 even just a little as we grapple with the grief from a disaster 454 00:24:24,131 --> 00:24:28,998 the story goes like this, they did an autopsy on an old farmer 455 00:24:28,998 --> 00:24:36,131 and when they opened him up they found he was full of next years. 456 00:24:36,131 --> 00:24:42,798 I feel like an old farmer full of next years. 457 00:24:42,798 --> 00:24:46,164 I will tell you firsthand, these plump, juicy, delicious peaches 458 00:24:46,164 --> 00:24:49,964 they do bring back some of my sweetest childhood memories. 459 00:24:49,964 --> 00:24:51,564 And I can't wait to bite into one. 460 00:24:51,564 --> 00:24:53,364 So I want to thank you for joining us today. 461 00:24:53,364 --> 00:24:56,731 And we hope you'll come along next time when we discover more 462 00:24:56,731 --> 00:24:59,731 great farms, families, and their fascinating stories... 463 00:24:59,731 --> 00:25:01,731 in America's Heartland. 464 00:25:01,731 --> 00:25:09,164 I'm Paul Ryan and I will see you next time. 465 00:25:09,164 --> 00:25:11,731 To learn more about this edition of America's Heartland, or to 466 00:25:11,731 --> 00:25:16,498 give us your feedback, visit americasheartland - dot - org. 467 00:25:16,498 --> 00:25:20,498 To order a copy of this broadcast, visit us online or 468 00:25:20,498 --> 00:25:25,398 call 1-888-814-3923. 469 00:25:25,398 --> 00:25:33,431 The cost is 14.95 plus shipping. 470 00:25:33,431 --> 00:25:40,998 You can see it in the eyes of every woman and man an America's 471 00:25:40,998 --> 00:25:45,298 Heartland living close to the land. 472 00:25:45,298 --> 00:25:51,398 There's a love for the country and a pride in the brand in 473 00:25:51,398 --> 00:26:00,998 America's Heartland living close, close to the land. 474 00:26:00,998 --> 00:26:04,864 "America's Heartland is made possible by... 475 00:26:04,864 --> 00:26:09,531 They make up a small part of our population. 476 00:26:09,531 --> 00:26:12,998 But have a huge impact on our lives. 477 00:26:12,998 --> 00:26:15,364 They take business risks that few others would 478 00:26:15,364 --> 00:26:17,998 tolerate all on our behalf. 479 00:26:17,998 --> 00:26:23,031 They're American farmers who feed, fuel and clothe the world. 480 00:26:23,031 --> 00:26:27,498 Monsanto would like to recognize them for all they do, for the 481 00:26:27,498 --> 00:26:32,131 rest of us, because ultimately our success and everyone else's 482 00:26:32,131 --> 00:26:35,064 depends on theirs 483 00:26:35,064 --> 00:26:38,098 "...and by the American Farm Bureau Federation - 484 00:26:38,098 --> 00:26:41,431 the voice of agriculture."