Although he died four years ago this month, the immortal story-telling of Paul Harvey lived on recently in the form of the Superbowl advertisement above.
Paul Harvey (according to Wikepedia) first shared his writing of “So God Made a Farmer” at a Future Farmers of America convention in 1975. It really is a beautiful tribute to those who work the land, and raise the beasts that are part of our physical sustenance. And the people who put the images together for the ad, created a beautiful montage of farmers, farming and the land.
After watching the ad, I went to Genesis to read the Biblical foundation for not just the responsibility of farmers for our Earth … the land … the beasts, but also the responsibility of all humankind for the same.
“God spoke:
“Let us make human beings in our image,
make them reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself,
and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
God created human beings;
he created them godlike,
Reflecting God’s nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”
Then God said, “I’ve given you
every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth
And every kind of fruit-bearing tree,
given them to you for food.
To all animals and all birds,
everything that moves and breathes,
I give whatever grows out of the ground for food.”
And there it was.
God looked over everything he had made;
it was so good, so very good!
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Six.”
Genesis 1:27-31
I have heard and seen so much information lately about ethical farming, genetically altered seeds, and cruelty to animals, that I could almost start to think ill of the farming/agricultural industry. Certainly, for the good of ourselves, and the Earth itself, we need to have our eyes opened to such 
realities that do occur.
But, we also have to remember the people, the individuals, that we know, who raise animals, and plants, who work the land, and feed our bellies. I can say that the farmers of beasts, plants and land that I know are honorable, valuable and responsible in the fulfillment of their tasks.
Although farmers work the land, raise and care for living beasts each and every day, it is a calling given from Creator of man to all created man.
While watching the PBS series, “Downton Abbey,” I was reminded of that human responsibility (perhaps even stewardship) in the words of patriarch Robert Crawley:
“my fortune is the work of others who labored to build a great dynasty,
do I have the right to destroy their work or impoverish that dynasty?
I am a custodian my dear, not an owner.
I must strive to be worthy of the task I’ve been set.”
And the account in Genesis would indicate that we all need to strive to be worthy of the caretaker task that has been set before us. It truly is a message given:
“To the farmer in all of us.”
itsawonderfilledlife 