The photograph from Monroe County, Tennessee, in 1946 captures a moment of agricultural life in the rural South, showcasing Ben Ellis as he plows a cornfield with a mule along Coker Creek.

Dressed in a hat and overalls, Ellis is seen at the heart of the farming process, a tradition that had shaped the region’s economy for generations. The mule, an essential tool in pre-mechanized farming, highlights the manual labor still prevalent in many rural areas of Tennessee in the post-war period.

Behind him, two other people can be seen, also wearing hats, working together in the field, emphasizing the community-based nature of farm labor in this era. The corn rows, neatly contained by a fence, stand as a testament to the hard work and careful planning that went into farming life. In the background, a simple wooden structure suggests a homestead or barn, underscoring the rural setting.

This photograph, preserved by the Tennessee Department of Conservation, offers a glimpse into the everyday life of Tennessee farmers, reflecting the resilience of rural communities as they continued to rely on traditional methods long after industrialization began reshaping the rest of the country.

It serves as a reminder of the enduring agricultural heritage that sustained Appalachian families throughout the 20th century.