Sunday, July 7, 2013

Farmers Save Lives

While I sit here on my porch and watch the heat dry up the Earth, which in turn dries up the various crops we have planted I can't help but feel sad.  As I have stated before, we live in a very rural area in Nebraska.  Most people in our area have some sort of agriculture background if they are not currently living the glorious lifestyle of being a farmer.  If they don't have a background in agriculture, you can about guarantee they have a family member or friend close by that farming is their livelihood, they are employed by an ag driven business, or the like.  It is the lifestyle in this area.  

As I sit here and reflect on what kind of production we will have....or sadly, not have... I can't help but feel a bit nervous.  But, being a farmer, it is a risk we take.  We can't control input costs, the markets, and what seems to be our big deal currently...the weather.  Mother Nature has not be kind to us.  In many parts of the United States, other farmers are having to deal with quite the opposite....they are getting too much rain.  Therefore, they can't get their crops in the ground.  Or, if they have been lucky enough to snag some dry days to plant, they have been hit with torrential rain again that has washed away their seeds....leaving them no choice, but to double their input cost and replant.  I don't know why Mother Nature can't drop a nice even inch of rain once a week across the fields....would that be too much to ask!  Ha!!!!

As I think about our lack of moisture, and other farmers plethora of rain I can't help but realize this could be a problem.  This would not be a problem most would be thinking about, but for us individuals in the agricultural world....we do!  What if there were no crops here in the U.S?!?!  Yes, we import.  Since the entire country is not going to lose its crops, it won't be a problem.  There could be a shortage, but there will be another year, hopefully some rain, and with any luck.... a bountiful harvest.  

My hubs has always said, and I 100% agree, "that farming is the backbone of this country!"  Think about it, I can live without my obsession of beautiful designer purses, but I CANNOT live without food!!!  Therefore, as I sit here on my porch watching the heat beam down, and listening to my sprinkler run on my struggling grass I have come to the conclusion that FARMERS SAVE LIVES......3 SQUARES A DAY!  


{{{HUGS}}}