Today is National Farmer’s Day (previously known as Old Farmer’s Day). This holiday is observed to honor hardworking farmers, their traditional techniques, and their wisdom. Without farmers, we wouldn’t have food.

Today, it would be fitting to offer a blessing upon farmers as part of your mealtime blessing. Recite the following blessing before your dinner this evening:

On this day we offer our gratitude:

Gratitude to the deep and fruitful earth,

For the food the fertile

earth springs forth.

Gratitude for those who tend the crops,

For their skill, labor, and wisdom.

Gratitude for timeless techniques

and necessary innovation.

Gratitude to those farmers who

produce our food while minding

the health of our earth.

We are grateful for the

mindful farmers’ discernment,

balance, and wisdom,

For farming should be a partnership

between humankind and the earth.

To these ends we offer gratitude

and blessings. So mote it be.