John Wibberley
The book of Psalms consists of 150 psalms. It seems sensible, therefore, to complete this series of Reflections at No. 150. They began during Covid in early 2020. July 4th is USA 250th anniversary of Independence from Britain. This year is also the 1926 Charter Centenary of the University of Reading, itself started in 1892 (majoring on agriculture) as an Extension College of Christ Church, Oxford, which was begun in 1525, receiving its first charter in 1546! Amid such landmarks, this seems a good point to halt this series.
Harvest readiness and preparations/servicing of field and barn equipment, including cleaning of grain stores is going on apace. Task teams and digital monitoring kit are also being assembled duly. Some home-saved seed if of high enough purity and vigour may be retained for next season’s sowing. Home-bred lambs or calves may be selected for retention to replace ageing/retiring flock or herd members. Pedigree cattle breeders are selecting prime young bulls for later use or for sales to others dedicated to sustaining healthy bloodlines.
Good planning is essential for effective farm management. Between hay/silage and cereal harvest is also a time for carrying out more extensive land works, including pond-digging and habitat management.
In the recent heat wave of June, shade trees came into their own, not only for our comfort, but also for that of livestock! Tree-planting is beneficial in the correct places, and of the right sort – especially our indigenous species. Long tropical experience means that farmers interplant shade trees, such as ‘Mother of Cocoa’ (Gliricidia sepium) alongside their Cacao trees in many situations where they are grown. Worldwide, many a village meeting is held under an ancient tree, its transcendence of human lifespans symbolising the long-term view so vital in the pursuit of truly sustainable agriculture as well as for durable community order. Our son’s first school was under a tree in the Nigerian savanna – much to the disbelief of his first Primary School teacher in England!
Shelter and shade under the cooling influence of God’s Word offer us true perspectives for all our farming. It seems to me that Psalm 150:1-6 provides us with a fitting ‘Mission Statement’ for farming:
Begin with “Praise the Lord”, showing proper appreciation of God our Creator, remembering where God is, “in His Sanctuary…in His mighty heavens”; humbling ourselves under His mighty hand;
“Praise Him for His acts of power … for His surpassing greatness”; He is indeed Almighty;
“Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet … the harp and lyre”; music soothes man and beast;
“Praise Him with tambourine [drum] & dancing… with strings & flute”; rhythm suits all life;
‘Praise Him with clash of cymbals … with resounding cymbals”; ability to voice needs benefits all;
“Let [allow, enable] everything that has breath praise the Lord. You too ‘Praise the Lord’”
Our Lord Jesus Christ said:
You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants because a servant doesn’t know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me but I chose you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then, Our Father will give you whatever you ask in My Name. This is My command: Love each other (John 15:14-17).
Each harvest reminds us we are invited not only to be participants with God in harvests of farms, but also to be part of God’s Final Harvest. Let’s be ready!
If you live within access of Sidmouth, Devon, you would be very welcome at the FCN Devon Lammas Service, Sunday 26 July 2026, 4 PM, All Saints, Sidmouth EX10 8ES.
If you have enjoyed reading John’s reflections, then you will like his book, ‘Rural Reflections’, published in aid of Farming Community Network and available from Amazon UK.
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