NYA on the Farm: Skills and Service at Weiser, Idaho

This silent documentary showcases the multifaceted operations of a National Youth Administration (NYA) farm in Weiser, Idaho, emphasizing how the program not only provided employment but also vocational training to young people during the Great Depression.

Boys' Activities: The film captures boys engaged in various construction and agricultural tasks. They are seen completing the construction of a dormitory, which signifies the development of infrastructure at the farm. Other activities include digging a ditch for a septic tank, grading roads for better access, baling hay, plowing fields, and tending to livestock like chickens and pigs. Additionally, they are involved in more technical work such as welding steel ladders and erecting a fire escape, demonstrating a wide range of skills from manual labor to metalwork.
Girls' Roles: On the other hand, the girls at the NYA farm participate in activities traditionally associated with domestic and clerical work. They are shown washing clothes, taking dictation, sewing garments, attending dressmaking classes, and serving meals, which highlights the program's aim to provide practical life skills and job training in areas considered suitable for women at the time.

This film illustrates the NYA's holistic approach to youth development, offering both practical work experience and education, fostering independence, and preparing young individuals for various aspects of adult life and employment. It underscores the spirit of community, learning, and productivity amidst economic adversity.