The budding program began in 1953, a year before Nebraska Public Media, and grew into a trusted source of practical advice for viewers statewide.
Welcome to From the Archives! I’m Alexis Scargill, Media Archivist here at Nebraska Public Media. Each month, I’ll highlight treasures from our collection spanning more than 70 years of broadcast history in our great state.
Welcome "Back"
Backyard Farmer returns Thursday, April 2, for its 74th season. “But wait,” you think, being astute as you are, “didn’t Nebraska Public Media sign on the air in 1954? That math isn’t adding up, and I’m now questioning everything I know.” You’re not losing it! And I’m flattered you know Nebraska Public Media’s history so well!
Yes, Backyard Farmer, the longest-running locally produced TV show in the United States, actually pre-dates our station sign-on. If that doesn’t seem like a big deal, let’s take a look at life when Backyard Farmer began on June 1, 1953. Interstate highways didn’t exist. Nor did the first McDonald’s franchise. Elvis Presley was an unknown teenager who had yet to record a song. Half the front page of the day’s newspaper was about the next day’s highly anticipated coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The number one movie was House of Wax starring Vincent Price (who appears in our archives several times - and in January’s blog post!) Hopefully one of these anecdotes made you go, “Wow!” If not, you can’t say I didn’t try.
Let's Dig In
Backyard Farmer is a co-production between Nebraska Extension and Nebraska Public Media. It was created by George Round (former University of Nebraska public relations director), Wayne Whitney (former Nebraska Extension horticulturist) and Jack McBride, our founding general manager. The premise is evergreen–a panel of experts assists viewers with their gardening needs. Questions about bugs, lawns, weeds, “rots and spots,” wildlife management–all fair game.
I want to highlight a historic episode of Backyard Farmer in our archives. Let me set the scene: It’s 1972. Backyard Farmer is in its 20th season. Not only is it being broadcast in color for the first time, but it’s also the first time it’s recorded in the studio of our then-brand-new building–with a live studio audience, to boot!
As someone who spent years listening to Car Talk on NPR (despite not caring about cars), I certainly understand the appeal of Backyard Farmer. On the surface, they're answering questions and offering a lot of good, practical advice. While practical advice is evergreen (I'm sorry), it could be a dull show with the wrong panel. That's never been a problem on Backyard Farmer, where panelists have always brought a sense of levity and authenticity to the program. Take Wayne Whitney, for example; the Backyard Farmer co-creator was known as much for his horticultural expertise as for his catchphrases ("tender loving care") and, of course, artistic abilities.
Clip from: Backyard Farmer, 1972
Archives: Ripe For the Picking
Our archives has no shortage of interesting material, and sometimes I like to look back on promotional materials of days gone by. If you're nostalgic like me, this gallery is for you.
(I pray to find that hat on the last slide in a box someday.)
You can watch Backyard Farmer live every Thursday at 7 p.m. CT on Nebraska Public Media, now through September. And remember: life's a garden, dig it!
What would you like to see from the archives?
I would love to hear from you! Send me your feedback at fromthearchives@nebraskapublicmedia.org. I’ll see you next month!