To Sow, To Reap

   Another growing season is complete and the harvest is underway.  There is a time to sow and there is a time to reap.  During my morning commutes for the last few weeks the fields corn show signs of the harvest.   Many fields have already been harvested and several others are still awaiting the combine.  The photos below shows the same fields I pictured in my May 31, 2013 blog Another Growing Season.  Another cycle of sowing and reaping is nearing a finish.   Our nation is indeed blessed with an abundance of fertile and productive land.  In addition we have a cadre of dedicated agriculturalists who effectively use the land and even preserve its productivity.  Recent changes in incentives for conservation and "factory" farms has introduced some areas to farming that simply mines the soil with little thought of maintaining the land in perpetuity. However, I hope that there will always be a majority or farmers dedicated to sustaining productivity for a hungry world.

Harvest Complete

Ready for the Combine

   In my commute I also pass by an industrial park situated on some of the most productive agricultural land of  Cortland County, New York.   In t he theme of sustainability and continued attention to quality food supply I am disturbed about the use of prime agricultural land for industrial development.  There is a finite amount of quality agricultural land so I fear that some day when it is too late we will recognize that we squandered some of that resource because of the convenience of lower cost construction and simpler infrastructure on level land.   However, back to the theme of sowing and reaping.   The photo below depicts the construction of a major yogurt manufacturing plant.   Perhaps one could call this a sowing of a structure that will demand more milk and thus dairy farmers will reap the harvest of expanded dairy operations and greater profits.  Trade offs?  Who knows?   One can only hope  there is a limit to expansion of industrial and commercial sites onto prime agricultural land.
   The corn will be harvested and the land will lie fallow until the next growing season.   Thankfully there are still miles of land in my commute that will bring forth the green shoots of corn and soybeans this spring.
   My closing thoughts turn to skiing.  With the great new snow makers at Greek Peak, I hope they will be sowing an abundance of new snow on the slopes.   The geezers are looking forward to reaping scores of wonderful days of skiing for this coming season.

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