Farmers often don’t make the press unless there is a food scare, a health concern or someone thinks we are doing something wrong. On the lighter, more uplifting side, there have been lots of philosophical and practical quotes made about farmers over the years. It’s the weekend, so I thought I would give you something to chew on, philosophically speaking, and look at what others have said through history about farmers and farming. Here are a few of my favorites with my own commentary.

A FARMER'S LIFE: Will Roger's says that a farmer must be an optimist, or he wouldn't be a farmer.

“Burn down your cities and leave our farms, and your cities will spring up again as if by magic; but destroy the farms and grass will grow in the streets of every city in the country.” Nebraska attorney and Democratic Party Presidential nominee, William Jennings Bryan

Maybe some of the anti-ag folks should think about that one.

“Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil, and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field.” Dwight D. Eisenhower

For you no-till farmers, just chop the word “plow” from this quote from Ike and insert the word, “no-till drill.”

“I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman’s cares.” George Washington

Even our first President understood the need for agricultural research and improvements in ag technology and genetics.

“The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways.” John F. Kennedy

I’m not sure any economist could explain the farm financial situation any clearer than JFK did here.

“When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.” Daniel Webster

I knew it all along, but I don’t think Webster was talking about those fancy-designed corn mazes.

“The first farmer was the first man. All historic nobility rests on the possession and use of land.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

We have always said that farming was the noblest of professions.

“There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace.” Aldo Leopold, Sand County Almanac

Leopold wrote this in the 1940s, but it is probably even more relevant today. How many people do you know who really believe food comes from a grocery store, and that’s the end of the story?

And I will close with one of my favorites.

“The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer.” Will Rogers

Amen.

Other Nebraska Farmer news this week.

Chadron farmer-inventor was ahead of his time

Winter weeds: Control or not to control

Be sure to check out Nebraska Farmer on Facebook and Nebraska Farmer online for the latest local farm news. Follow me on Twitter @HuskerHomePlace or Editor, Tyler Harris @tyharris08.

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