It is Not This Day

 

Tammy and I have been regular attendees of the Practical Farmers of Iowa Cooperators Meeting for some time, and it has been odd to have missed each of the past couple of years.  This is what happens when your life changes.

The two-day Cooperators Meeting features discussion and presentations on how research projects fared during the previous year and then on designing new projects for the upcoming season.  It's a time to exercise curiosity and to seek camaraderie with other agriculturists who seek to become better at their craft by testing what we think we know and learning from careful observation.

Tammy was asked to give the closing remarks for the 2016 Cooperator's Meeting and she was a bit uncertain as to whether she should agree to do so or not.  It was certainly understandable, the meeting typically occurs late in the year, when Tammy's school schedule is fairly stressful.  Adding yet another thing to the "to do" list probably didn't sound all that attractive.  

Still, I encouraged Tammy to do it.  Why?  Well, I happen to think Tammy is far more creative than she gives herself credit for and I thought it would be useful to hear her perspective.  So, with some trepidation, she performed the task - and performed it well. 

In fact, it was liked well enough that PFI put it out on YouTube.  That's a compliment.  And I will continue with the compliment by including the video at the end if you would like to see it.  

But first, let me give you the text.  While this was all presented in a lighthearted fashion, there is a great deal of meat to what is being said here.  Take a moment and enjoy.

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JRR Tolkien knew how to write a good story.  Is that an understatement, or what?!  For those of you who are not familiar with his work, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, is an author and linguistic scholar, best known for his high-fantasy novels The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. He is also known for his intense attention to detail. I have long loved Tolkien stories and grown to appreciate the importance he placed on detail and accuracy.  “Close enough” was just not good enough.  

I see a lot of Tolkien's dedication to detail and knowledge in PFI farmers and our dedication to detailed research.  Rob has convinced me, despite my admitted preference for “I think” to move to “I know” on the farm.  Count it, measure it, record it, then plan it.  And, repeat - Count it, measure it, record it, then plan it.  

Tolkien writings offer so much timeless wisdom including this exchange early in the “Rings” journey:

“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

There are many things farmers struggle with - including increasingly extreme weather and uncertain economics and changing policies.  What we CAN do is decide what WE want to do with what we have – not just “Go along”.

At one point, one of the HEROES in the Ring Trilogy, Aragon, inspires his troops before a seemingly hopeless battle:

"Hold your ground, hold your ground! Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!"

I hope our farming does not seem “hopeless”, though we certainly face challenges.  So, with thanks to Tolkien and assistance from Dick Thompson:

 

“Hold your ground,  Protect your ground!  Farmers of Iowa - Row Cropper, Grazier and Horticulturist.  

I see in your eyes that same passion for farm and soil that inspires me.   

A day may come when the courage of farmers fails, when we forsake our passion for sustainable, well managed farms and break all bonds with our history of smart farming.

But that is not this day.  

An hour of weeds, pests and disease, a day of intense pressure to conform, to “go along”, when the age of “thinking farmers” on diverse farms comes crashing down.   

But, it is NOT this day!  

This day we research!  By all that you hold dear for the good of this earth, I bid you, RESEARCH and LEARN, Farmers of the Land!”

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It's a good thing to have great respect for your partner in life.  It's also good to be proud of their efforts, the things they produce and the heart they exhibit for the good things of this world.

It's an even better thing to be able to stand together for things we care about.  Perhaps the day will come where we can't.

But, today is not that day.