Planting Time

On windy days, you can see the work from miles away, as dust and dirt billows into the air as tractors ply the fields planting seeds.

It's critical work in terms of timing and the timing of continuing spring rains to germinate the crops that do so much for our country.

Many farmers plant on a small scale - growing food for home or for sale through Community Supported Agriculture (C.S.A.).

Judging by the dropping numbers of what most would think of as family farms, there are also farms growing on a mega scale.

It's not a profession you think would attract gamblers, and that's probably correct.  However, farmers are familiar with risk and the vagaries of weather go along way in determining whether the crops succeed or not.

Late in the field and the crops may run out of growing season before time to harvest.  Plant too early and the seeds might get washed away.

Yet planting season only begins the arduous journey to the fall.  Too much rain, or too little. Too much heat, or not enough.

The methods change over the years, but the practice remains the same.  Prepare, plant, cultivate, pray, and harvest.

My mom grew up on a farm.  She says even though the family was poor and had little during the Depression they didn't go hungry.

There were chickens, cows, cattle, and vegetables for them to harvest to eat as well as preserve to eat during winter.

In a global economy, we get fruits and vegetables from around the world depending on the time of year.

Some of us are able to take advantage of locally grown produce that we buy at Farmer's Markets or through a C.S.A.

Eating is something most of us rely on without thinking about it too much; as our friends and neighbors work hours and hours in the field these days - it's a good time to thank and appreciate the men and women who truly put food on the table.