Can you believe it’s harvest time again? It seems like just yesterday we were preparing for planting, and now we’re already here, watching combines begin to roll across the Sorghum Belt. Time sure flies when you’re farming. As the days get shorter and the air gets a bit crisper, I’m reminded once again of the cyclical nature of this life. Each year brings its own set of challenges and rewards, and this one has been no different. 

For those of us on the High Plains, it’s been another tough year. The hot and dry conditions have been relentless, this last month in particular. But if there’s one thing farmers are known for, it’s their ability to endure. Compared with the last couple of years, especially that historically bad year of 2022, we’re seeing some improvement. Fields may be thirsty, but they’re looking better than they have in a couple years, and as a result, there’s a cautious optimism hanging in the air headed into harvest. 

However, even as production looks to be on the upswing, there’s another cloud on the horizon: prices. It’s no secret that commodity markets have been less than favorable lately. In fact, according to some analysis, 2023 and 2024 are shaping up to be among the largest declines in net farm income we’ve ever seen. This is a hard pill to swallow for those who have put everything into this year’s crop, hoping for a decent return. On my own family’s farm, we’re feeling the squeeze just like everyone else. A bigger crop is great, but when prices are down and costs keep climbing, it’s tough to celebrate. 

Like many of you, in times like these, I find solace in my faith. Recently, during my morning devotional, I was struck by a passage in the book of Haggai that felt particularly relevant. In the first two chapters, the prophet delivers a message from the Lord to the people of Israel, instructing them to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. The people were discouraged, feeling they lacked the resources to accomplish such a daunting task. 

But then came a reminder that God would provide what was needed: “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts,” (Haggai 2:8). And then, a promise: “The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former,” (Haggai 2:9a). That last one struck a chord with me. I often quote Haggai 2:8 — and sometimes in this column — to remind myself and others that this is the Lord’s crop to do with as he will, for our good and his glory. This time, Haggai 2:9a spoke to me in a new way. It was a needed reminder that our future, despite how it may look right now, holds more promise than our past. 

I know it’s hard to see this when we’re in the thick of it — when the bills are piling up and the market isn’t cooperating. It’s hard for us, just like it was hard for the Israelites in Haggai’s day, to see beyond our immediate struggles. But I firmly believe that this promise holds true for us today. As we navigate these tough times on the farm, let’s keep our eyes on the bigger picture. Let’s hold fast to the hope that our best days are ahead of us, and that with perseverance and faith, we’ll see that promise fulfilled. Here’s to a safe and successful #harvest24 and a brighter future for all of us.