Howard the Duck (1979) 1

Not usually referred to as the oldest profession in the world, farming began approximately 12,000 years ago.

National Farmer’s Day commemorates the settlement of former hunters and the domestication of livestock October 12 each year.

Currently there are about two million farms in the United States. Those farms provide approximately $1 trillion dollars to the US economy. Each of those farms feed nearly 166 persons each year. Agricultural jobs sponsor 50,000 jobs per year.

No one is sure exactly when National Farmer’s Day began, though it was originally called National Old Farmer’s Day. The October 12 date is used due to the harvesting time frame. Normally this is at the end of harvesting allowing farmers a much-deserved break and time for revelry.

Howard the Duck (1979) 1

Representing the day is a Howard the Duck story from his inaugural magazine issue, Fowl of Fear!

Recovering from recent adventures detailed in the waning Howard the Duck comic book series, titular star, Beverly and her Uncle Lee drive back to Cleveland, OH, to start anew.

Along the way, some foreshadowing and reviewing is done before a blowout causes the traveling trio to seek shelter at an appropriately foreboding farm house on the hill.

They are received by the sinister Mr. Chicken who divulges his poultry program designed to increase the size and succulence of his commercially crafted chickens.

Mr. Chicken meets his deserved end with the help of Howard, Bev and Uncle Lee.

They continue their travels to Cleveland and eight more issues of adventures including a Christmas story in the third issue of his magazine.

Fowl of Fear is unremarkable beyond Bill Mantlo taking up animal rights regarding production of mass-produced foods early on in the struggle for decency in humane practices in those regards. Much has been documented over the years in relation to those operations.

The National Farmer’s Day observed today honors those humane methods of raising food to feed the world. Celebrate with something home grown and a little of the forward fowl who allowed us to look at ourselves and society with fresh eyes.