Pondering from the Farm Ralph D. Coffman April 27, 2009

As a boy I was so blessed – ultimately being in FFA and growing up on the farm

In spite of today’s alarmist caused me no harm

I learned to love the animals and to work with the soil

I learned the real meaning of toil

I learned that work was fulfilling

Work ethic, which the rest of society seemed to quit instilling

As I worked and gained skills and ability

Grandpa, Dad and Uncles Robert and Hugh gave me responsibility

Oh what a fulfilling feeling I gained

Succeeding when given responsibility in skills that I had been trained

Whether driving the tractor, going to get the cows for milking, or baling hay

On the farm was a place that I yearned to stay

Dad was up every day by 3:30

To bring the cows in for milking so he could drive his school bus route at 6:30

I never did hear him complain or raise Cain

Don’t you see - farmers are too busy working each day to complain

When you work God’s land with your hands

You tend to be reluctant in taking stands

Farmers push the pencil, ponder and pray to the Lord

Even with necessary purchases that are too high to afford

They hear of their FBPA and Agricultural Education/FFA program’s funding plight

And wonder if they should go against their nature and complain and put up a fight

Raising food by working overtime to survive in an industry that was once very profitable seems unfair

So many in this world go hungry - yet most in America are just too busy to care

As long as grocery stores, where food comes from you know, have abundant food that is cheap
The farmer’s plight, from most, you won’t hear a peep

School officials as you ponder your financial plight and hold in your hands agriculture’s IV blood flow

No other class offers the career enhancing skills available in Agricultural Education/FFA don’t you know

If you truly care, and seek wisdom and sincere counsel, then go visit your farmers at their farm site

Remember, without farmers society crumbles – farmers live daily your financial plight!