Praise the Farmer

 

Raising cattle, to field of grains, Nobody knows, the farmers pains..

With dry spouts, a threat to all, Undoubtedly, one will fall.

A farmers life, depends on much, Equipment and tool, weather and such..

Schedules and plans, must be on target, In hope of profit, at the market.

From seed to product, he works all day, plowing fields, and bailing hay..

Late to bed, early to rise, always looking for the prize.

The biggest veggie, awarded cattle, he continues to rage, the daily battle..

For we'd be not, lest their yields, They give us life, from their fields.

They great the day, dawning their armor, Praise them high, for they be farmers.

©LaPoint,F. 2006

Summary

The poem vividly captures the challenging and relentless life of farmers, emphasizing their dedication, hard work, and the multiple obstacles they face daily. It highlights the uncertain nature of farming, where factors like weather, equipment, and timing critically impact outcomes. The poem pays tribute to farmers’ perseverance from sowing seeds to harvesting crops and raising livestock, underscoring their essential role in sustaining society. Their tireless efforts, despite hardships like drought and fatigue, ensure the food supply and well-being of others. The poem concludes by honoring farmers as resilient warriors of the land who deserve high praise for their indispensable contributions.

Highlights

🌾 The farmer’s life is marked by relentless hard work and dedication.

☀️ Weather and environmental challenges pose constant threats to farming success.

🚜 Effective use of equipment and strict planning are crucial for profitability.

🌱 The farming process is a full-day commitment from seed planting to harvest.

🐄 Livestock raising adds another demanding layer to a farmer’s responsibilities.

🕰️ Farming requires early mornings and late nights in pursuit of even small gains.

🙌 Farmers play a vital role in society, providing food and sustaining life.

Key Insights

🌿 The unpredictability of farming highlights the vulnerability of food production: The poem’s reference to “dry spouts” and threats that cause “one will fall” points to natural forces such as droughts that can ruin crops and impact livelihoods. This insight underlines how external uncontrollable factors continue to challenge modern agriculture, making stability in food supply a delicate balance.

🔧 Dependence on equipment and infrastructure reflects technological challenges: The mention of “equipment and tool” stresses that modern farming is not only about manual labor but also about managing machinery. The failure or inefficiency of tools adds complexity and risk, suggesting farmers’ expertise must extend beyond agriculture into machinery operation and maintenance.

📊 Scheduling and planning are critical business aspects for farmers: “Schedules and plans, must be on target” indicates farming is as much a business endeavor as a physical one. Precision in timing planting, harvesting, and marketing affects profitability, demonstrating the need for sound management and decision-making skills in agriculture.

🌾 The all-day labor cycle underscores farmers’ tireless commitment: The lines “he works all day” and “Late to bed, early to rise” portray farming as a round-the-clock responsibility with little downtime. This relentless schedule contributes to physical and mental stresses, reflecting a lifestyle centered entirely around the land and its demands.

🐄 Livestock farming adds complexity and competition: The “awarded cattle” symbolize pride but also the competitive nature of agriculture, where producing quality crops or livestock is a daily challenge. Livestock farming requires additional skills and attention, highlighting the multifaceted nature of many farmers’ work.

🌞 Farmers as guardians and warriors link agriculture to a noble, almost heroic identity: The poem uses imagery like “dawning their armor” to evoke farmers as warriors battling daily hardships. This metaphor elevates farming beyond mere labor, framing it as a courageous and vital defense against scarcity and hardship.

🌍 The poem emphasizes the societal dependency on farmers: The closing lines “They give us life, from their fields” reinforce the fundamental role farmers play in sustaining human life. This offers a poignant reminder of the often unrecognized sacrifice farmers make and the importance of valuing agricultural labor in society.

Overall, the poem serves as a tribute while also providing a nuanced reflection on the complexities and challenges embedded in the farming profession. It invites readers to appreciate not only the fruits of farming but the arduous journey farmers endure to bring those products to the market and ultimately to the table.