Climate Solutions, Farmers, and Us

The Sower -- Vincent Van Gogh

We plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land,

but it is fed and watered  by your almighty hand;

you send the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain,

the breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain.

All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above;

we thank you, God, O holy God, for all your love.

                                              Voices United 520

I have to admit that I sometimes wonder what to do about maintaining two blogs, Lion Lamb and Groundling. I started Groundling after several years of writing Lion Lamb because I was aware of the many aspects of "living with respect in Creation" which we Groundlings, people formed of the clay (metaphorically speaking) are called to address. I have now written hundreds of Groundling blog entries which express awe and wonder, identify those challenges, and invite practical response. It can be discouraging though, because three to four times as many people read my Lion Lamb blog as Groundling. 

You may notice that sometimes I just address those environmemtal and Creation-care topics in my Lion Lamb blog to get the audience. Like today!

Yesterday I heard an interview with Brent Preston of Farmers For Climate Solutions, an organization which is looking at biodiversity, ecosystems, and healthy soil as essential aspects of sustainable farming. The ways in which we have been farming in North America are not sustainable and contribute to the climate crisis. Unfortunately governments have been slow to recognize this and to support adaptation. 

Brent was articulate and his perspectives were encouraging, especially knowing that farmers in this province are aging and that most don't have a succession plan for their farms. Last time I checked we still all eat food to stay alive, and in this season we are aware of how enjoyable locally grown fruits and vegetables are. Our dependence on foods from a distance should concern us for a lot of reasons.

The bible is remarkable in its references to agriculture both in the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. The abundance of the land is often a metaphor for God's favour and blessing. Jesus repeatedly used agricultural images in his parables, including the sower. We don't have to be farmers ourselves to pay attention to the importance of agriculture and perhaps say a few prayers for the people who feed us, not just at Thanksgiving.