Today is Friday, October 19th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3900

My sister Jan shared this poem with me from her Hanlontown (three miles east of our hometown of Fertile) monthly newsletter recently. As we are back to harvesting here, it seems fitting (we have some unwanted showers this morning but weather forecast is pretty good!). Written by a local, Clayton Rye:


Setting the Record Straight


"'Farmers feed the world'. Well, that's what they say.

I've given this some thought and it doesn't work that way.

Planting those sacks of seed is the beginning of my year.

But where did they come from? And how did they get here?

I load those seeds in a planter painted green.

But I had nothing to do with building that machine.


"I start to plant in a field that's been fertilized.

And now I know I'm not alone and then I realized.

It takes a lot of people to grow and get the crop in.

And the work hasn't ended even when it's in the bin.

The crop is sold to processors because they have a need.

To turn it into other things like ethanol and feed.


"Or to load it up and ship it out to other parts of the Earth.

It is these many users who give my crop its worth.

The crop stops moving only when it's in the bin.

Does this circle ever stop and where does it begin?

The growing of food requires nature, man, and machine.

We farmers do our part and move it on again.


"So thanks to the many users who purchase my grain.

Thanks to the railroad who hauls it on the train.

Thanks to the growers who furnish me my seed.

Thanks to the dealership who stocks the parts I need.

Thanks to everyone who keep me in the know.

The analysts on the Internet and on my radio.


"Another important person I really want to thank.

Is the officer who approves my credit at the bank.

'Farmers feed the world?' It doesn't make any sense.

When I'm only a link in an endless chain of events.

Now I've had my say. It's time to be quiet.

Think you can feed the world by yourself? Go ahead and try it!"

*


And adding to Rye's verse, I'd like to add God who makes all the growth possible:  the sunshine, and, yes, the rain! We are thankful that He takes care of the details........and us!




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