The Rural Electrification Administration (REA) commissioned "Power and the Land" in 1940 to show farmers how electricity could improve their lives. The 38minute movie chronicles two dawntodusk days on the Parkinsons' dairy farm: one day before the lights came on and one day after.

"Power and the Land" premiered at the Old Trail Theater in St. Clairsville, Ohio, on August 31, 1940. After being picked up by RKO Radio Pictures a few months later, it was distributed to 5,000 movie theaters across the country.