RUSSIA: US FARMER CAUSES AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION

Описание: (2 May 1996) Eng/Russian/Nat

Thousands of miles from the shores of the United States, a little piece of America has taken root in Russia.

Four years ago Charles Edgemon left his native state of Texas and set up a model farm to teach U-S farming techniques to Russian farmers.

Four years on the project is coming to an end but now Edgemon doesn't want to pull up his newly dug roots and return home.

100 kilometres from the old world charm and beauty of St Petersburg is the tiny Russian village of Volkov.

In this cold and inhospitable environment, a US-government project has been quietly bringing about an agricultural revolution.

Following an agreement between the U-S Department of Agriculture and the mayor of St Petersburg, Texan farmer Charles Edgemon packed his bags in 1992 and went east to set-up this model farm.

The land, on the site of a former state-run farm, was provided by the Russians - the know-how by the Americans.

Together with a colleague from Wisconsin, Edgemon teaches and demonstrates techniques to Russian farmers as well as growing vegetable and grain crops using Russian seeds and equipment.

Russian agriculture has been in a state of collapse for several years, a situation which Edgemon believes must be rectified if Russia wants to become a real force on the world stage again.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Any country that is strong. Any country that is great has to have an agricultural base and Russia must have a strong agricultural base to be a leader in the western world."
SUPERCAPTION: Charles Edgemon, U-S farmer

And his hard work has already had an impact.

Seven Russian farmers who have used the newly-taught methods have managed to improve their crops.

The money they've earned has been spent on buying new buildings and equipment and some are in the process of constructing their own homes.

The local farmers have warmed to their American neighbours, who give their produce to local children's homes, churches and other needy groups.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"What marks out American farmers is their friendliness to other people, they seem to like everyone without exception."
SUPERCAPTION: Sergei Legonkov, Russian farmer

Charles' wife Lyndell also acts as an adviser on the farm.

The couple have adjusted well to the life here, even developing a taste for Russian cooking.

The Edgemon's contract finishes in October but the couple are looking at ways to stay on.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Russia is very close to the heart. Russia is very special to us. I would never have thought 20 years ago that I would be working in Russia and having so many Russian friends. But now it's different and we have found that Russians are just like Americans. There is no difference. We just speak a different language and have a little bit different cultural background. We're all the same."
SUPERCAPTION: Charles Edgemon, U-S farmer

The transition from state-run farming to privately managed agriculture has not been easy for the Edgemons' Russian protégés.

They often have to overcome impassable roads, poor irrigation, blackouts and a lack of equipment and supplies.

But Edgemon believes success will come even if it is only the next generation of farmers that will reap the benefit.

By that time Charles and Lyndell may have returned to Texas but thanks to their efforts, in Volkov there'll always be a corner of a distant land that will be forever - America.

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