Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

Enjoy this wonderful poem shared on December 25, 2013 by PFI member Mark Peterson on the “pfigeneral” and “pficovercrops” members-only email discussion groups.

Read in the spirit of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore published in 1823.

Twas the morning of Christmas
And all across the farm
Not a creature was stirring
They were safe from all harm

The puppies were nestled
All safe in their bed
While visions of breakfast
Danced in their head

So I in my winter coat
And old wind suit pants
Went out for a walk
Thought I would give it a chance

So I walked down the road
With hardly a sound
Mainly the crunching of snow
As my feet hit the ground

So out this glorious morning
Surveying the field
I couldn’t help wondering
what next year would yield

Then what to my curious eyes
Did I see
Green blades of cover crop
Staring at me

Then more thru the snow
Did start to appear
Cereal rye a cover crop
On our farm this year

So again this winter
As I survey our farm
I know it is more than our creatures
That  are safe from all harm

Our soil protected
Under blankets of green
It makes one feel good
If you know what I mean

And down in the Gulf
We think of you too
If our nutrients stay here
We are “Shrimp Hugging” for you

So as I walk down the road
On this Christmas Day
I know we are protecting God’s gifts
In our own little way.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!