Posted on 06/03/2019 7:37:42 PM PDT by marshmallow
NEWCASTLE, Neb. (AP) — All through the spring, summer and fall, farmers keep at least one eye on the sky.
They look for breaks in cloudy spring skies that will allow the sun to warm and dry the soil for planting. They watch summer storm fronts roll in, hoping that gathering clouds bring needed rain and not damaging winds or hail.
For the past five years, the Rev. Andy Sohm has helped northeast Nebraska farmers look beyond the clouds for help with a bountiful crop, the Sioux City Journal reported.
The pastor at St. Peter Catholic Church in Newcastle, St. Joseph in Ponca and St. Patrick in Jackson, Sohm has taken God's blessings to his parishioners' fields, reviving an old Catholic ritual of blessing fields and seeds at planting time. He'll also return at harvest, if asked, to bless the crops.
A farm kid from Danbury, Iowa, Sohm knew from experience that divine intervention, in addition to favorable weather conditions, plays an important role from planting through harvest.
"Having grown up on a farm, I realized and recognized all you need, the stress and pressure, and the need for the Lord," Sohm said. "I think it's extremely important to put our trust in the Lord."
When he was assigned to the parishes in Ponca and Newcastle five years ago (Jackson was added a year ago), Sohm decided that reintroducing the crop-blessing ritual was not only a way to help farmers realize their faith, but also to meet and connect with parishioners.
"It's a good way to connect with families rather than let them come my way," said Sohm, who was ordained in 2005. "I was fascinated, too, because farming has changed so much since I was on the farm."
Sohm's ministry led him over the muddy roads in rural Newcastle......
(Excerpt) Read more at thetelegraph.com ...
He’d better pray for a good growing season because all the rains and flooding and cold temps mean that here in IL only 1/3 of the crop planting is done. People have no idea what a disaster it would be for the US if crops were to fail for a season. The gov’t is not sitting on a big surplus.
Read what actual farmers are saying: https://www.agweb.com/agweb-crop-comments/
Aren’t we still donating food and grain to other countries as a matter of diplomacy? I used to hear a lot about that.
If so, perhaps we can dip into our own reserves a little.
Planting season will be done too late to yield the usual amounts of food and grains we’re used to seeing.
Last year we did not have any Spring rains.
The wheat in the fields is at risk of rotting due to wet weather.
Sorghum should do good this year.
Michigan sucks for Farmers right now. I think north Midwest is really scrambling because of the constant rain in May.
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