The 2010Deliberate AgrarianHaiku Poetry Contest

2010-06-30T04:54:00.001-07:00

Updated: 2 December 2010

This Contest Has Officially Ended.

Thank you to everyone who submitted poems. Contest winners have been chosen. CLICK HERE for details.

(prizes will be mailed out December 6th)

Barn cat a waiting
patiently at milking time,
looking for a drink.

Herrick Kimball
New York

Welcome to The Deliberate Agrarian Haiku Poetry Contest for 2010. The contest begins on July 1 and ends on November 25.

This is an opportunity for you to express your creativity and your love of all things agrarian in simple, 17-syllable poems. Your submissions will be published here for all the world to see and enjoy. Better yet, you will be eligible to win some surprisingly nice, down-to-earth prizes.

Click Here to see the Prizes You Can Win

Entering the contest is as simple as e-mailing your haiku poem. But there are some rules and guidelines that you need to know.

Click Here to read the Submission Rules & Guidelines

Poem submissions will be posted to this web site as they are received and can be seen by clicking on the age category links on the right side of this page.

If you think this little agrarian haiku contest is a good idea, please let others know by clicking the Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail icons below. I appreciate your help in spreading the word.

Click Here to learn more about the sponsor of this contest.

2010 Agrarian Haiku Entries Youth Category

2010-06-30T03:56:00.002-07:00

This youth category is for kids up to 13 years old. All new submissions will be added to the top of the list of submissions as they come in. If you would like to submit a haiku poem of your own, check out the guidelines At This Link. Poems with my name under them are posted here for fun (I'm not eligible to win prizes in my own contest...and I'm not a youth any more).

=:::=

(your haiku poem will go here)

=:::=

Thief! Thief! Cries the Jay
Look, he is blue, white, and black
There he goes again.

Maine Fout (age 9)

Ohio

=::=

There is a rabbit
It is very quick and shy
It is soft and brown.

Maine Fout (age 9)

Ohio

=::=

Waffles are tasty
Cook them hot on the campfire
Pour syrup on them

Brody Panazzi (age 5)

Pennsylvania

=::=

Purple, red and pink
Pretty in the summer sun
Also in the rain

Lily Panazzi (age 7)

Pennsylvania

=::=

I eat marshmallows
Cook all of the marshmallows
I love marshmallows

Katelyn Panazzi (age 3)

Pennsylvania

=::=

Leaves in the wind
Twirling like a tornado
Settle down again

Brayden Panazzi (age 8)

Pennsylvania

=:::=

barn swallow so swift
gliding so quickly through the air
catching bugs all day

Grace Johnson (age 10)

Missouri

=::=

Singing in the rain
is so very fun to do.
It's the life for me.

Samuel Craig(age 6.5)

California

=::=

Watch the hummingbird
sip nectar from a flower.
Now it flies away.

Jonathan Craig (age 6.5)

California

=::=

Come get your sickle.
Chop down hay in the meadow.
The hay scratches me.

Samuel Craig (age 6.5)

California

=::=

Nanna sent me chicks
A birthday celebration
Hold in hand; don't squeeze

Andrew Craig (age 3.5)

California

=::=

Cows in the meadow
like to munch on sweet green grass
sipping blue water

Jonathan Craig (age 6.5)

California

=::=

beautiful lily
pink, white, or yellow flowers
covering the lake

Grace Johnson (age 10)

Missouri

=::=

My little chickens
picked up at the post office
like to peck my hand

Andrew Craig (age 3.5)

California

=::=

milk the cows today
make the cream into butter
drink the yummy milk

Samuel Craig (age 6.5)

California

=::=

The barn cat is fast.
He caught a mouse--lucky cat
The mouse did squeak much.

Jonathan Craig (age 6.5)

California

=::=

horses so pretty
galloping in the pasture
manes and tails flowing

Grace Johnson (age 10)

Missouri

=::=

pork turkey ham beans
corn beef chicken chili all
are a balanced meal

Noah Winslow (age 10)

Tennessee

=::=

farmer faces hen
with a big knife in his hand
chicken's head is gone

Luke Walley (age 8)

Missouri

=::=

I have a chicken.
She is my favorite chicken.
Her name is Katie.

Katherine Waitz (age 7)

Texas

=:::=

Chicken guts smell bad
Scalded chickens, hacking meat
Chopping stinky guts.

Jonathan Webster (age 10)

Georgia

=:::=

Leaves in the blue sky
Falling—orange, red, and brown-
It is now autumn.

Maegan Webster (age 8)

Georgia

=:::=

The bee soars sky high
Speeds to its nest buzzing
Makes sticky honey.

Jonathan Webster (age 10)

Georgia

=:::=

Red morning glories
Growing on the fence of wire
Bloom in the morning.

Maegan Webster (age 8)

Georgia

=:::=

Horse in the pasture.
The horse is eating apples.
I love to ride him.

Maegan Webster (age 8)

Georgia

=:::=

Barns are red and white.
Cows need milking by farmer.
Farmer's wife rakes hay.

Chaya Nichols (age 5.5)

Arizona

=:::=

Me and Papa fish.
I like practicing casting;
Poles get caught in brush.

Joshua Nichols (age 4)

Arizona

=:::=

Netted butterfly
Flickering wings like a fan
Butterfly be free

Malia Bolster (age 6)

Florida
.

=:::=

Pleasing sand castle
Kites flying up in the sky
Delightful beach day

Malia Bolster (age 6)

Florida

=:::=

Oh, their cheep's so loud!
Green, perfect quaker parrots
Vibrant, vivid friends!

Malia Bolster (age 6)

Florida

=:::=

Up before the dawn
Tending the strawberries—ha!
Juice on his face—yum!

Noah Winslow (age 9)

Tennesee

=:::=

Chick's favorite treat,

they come a' running to it,

is beloved corn.

Liz Daviet (age 9)
New Mexico

=:::=

A hot summer day.
Mud oozes up between toes,
Swimming in the pond.

Herrick Kimball

New York

2010 Agrarian Haiku ContestRules & Submission Guidelines

2010-06-30T03:56:00.001-07:00

Dateline: 1 July 2010

By: Herrick Kimball (hckimball@bci.net)

1. All submissions must conform to the following haiku format: Only three lines to each poem. Five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second, and five in the third. No rhyming allowed. That’s all there is to it. Here is an example:

Barn cats a waiting
patiently at milking time,
looking for a drink.

2. All submissions must relate to aspects of agrarian life or traditional agrarian culture. Possible themes include gardening, small-scale farming, trees, the weather, wild animals, domesticated farm animals, insects, and so on. Another theme that can be included in the poetry is family (i.e., mother, father, brothers & sisters, grandparents) and aspects of family life lived within the rural setting, either on a farm, ranch, or homestead.

Your submissions can simply capture a snapshot of agrarian life (as the example above does). They can also call to mind old-time agrarian crafts, customs, or sentiments.

3. The poems you submit can be upbeat as they celebrate the beauty of creation or agrarian life. You poems may also be poignant. And they can be humorous, even silly to a degree. However, dark, melancholy, angry, profane, vulgar, obscene, offensive, confusing or off-topic haiku poems will not be accepted for this contest. Here is an example of an off-topic haiku poem that would not be accepted:

Hank was the town drunk.

I saw him sway but not fall.

He was good at it.

4.   Traditional Japaneese haiku often reflects nature-worshiping Shinto beliefs, but this contest will not accept any poems that are overtly Shintoistic. Nor will any poems be accepted that communicate overt athiestic, pagan, pantheistic, new-age, buddhist, moslem, etc spirituality. If you choose to submit a poem with a spiritual dimension, it must fit within the commonly understood context of non-denominational, biblical Christianity.

I understand this rule may offend some, but that is not the intention. The fact is, anyone, regardless of their nationality, race, gender, religion, etc., is welcome to enter this contest. The only thing excluded are certain categories of haiku poetry.

5.   All contest entries must be original works of haiku poetry created by the person who makes the submission.

6.   Anyone, anywhere in the world, is eligible to enter this contest and win one of the prizes.

7.   Each person may submit up to three haiku poems.

8. Submissions will be accepted by e-mail only (send them to: hckimball@bci.net) and must include:

a) your first and last name

b) your age (just indicate “adult” if you are over 18 years old)

c) your full postal mailing address (so I’ll know where to send your prize.....if you are a winner).

Your age will determine the category your poem is placed in.

9.   The first and last name, and the state, of all poets will be posted with their poems. The street and town where you live will not be made public.

10.   The names and addresses of contestants in this contest will not be compiled, sold, and/or used in any way, shape, or form for any marketing purposes.

11.   By submitting haiku poetry to this contest, you are giving permission to publicly post your poem to this web site for an indefinite length of time. You retain all other rights to your poetry.

12.   All poetry for this year’s contest must be submitted between July 1, 2010 and November 25th, 2010.

13.   Winners will be announced here on December 1, 2010. Prizes will be sent out shortly thereafter.

14.   All entries will be judged and winners in each of the three age catagories will be chosen by the sponsor (Herrick Kimball) and his wife. If several entries are judged to be equally worthy of a prize, they will be put in a hat and winners will be chosen at random (this is a likely outcome).

15.   The sponsor of this contest reserves the right to alter or add to any of these rules at any time. Likewise, he reserves the right to not accept any haiku poem that, in his opinion, does not conform to the submission guidelines as outlined above.

16. If you submit poetry, you must understand that this is a “good faith” contest. The sponsor pledges to do the best he can to operate it in a fair and honest manner, and you have to trust that to be true. There is no third-party oversight or verification of how this contest is run and how prizes are awarded. The sponsor will not be responsible for any omissions or oversights on his part.

17.   The sponsor of this contest reserves the right to shorten the duration of the contest if the number of entries exceeds his expectations and ability to properly handle them.

Send your questions and haiku poetry submissions (as explained in #8 above) to: hckimball@bci.net

2010 Agrarian Haiku EntriesTeen Category

2010-06-30T03:55:00.001-07:00

Updated Information

As of August 25, not a single haiku poem has been submitted by a teen (13 to 17 years old). Therefore, I am now combining the teen category with the adult category. And the teen prizes will be awarded in the adult category.

If you are a teenager and would like to submit poetry to this contest, please do so. Make sure to let me know your age when you submit your poem(s). I will post them in the adult category and you will be eligible for winning prizes there.

2010 Agrarian Haiku Entries Adult Category

2010-06-30T03:55:00.000-07:00

This adult category is for people who are 18 years old and older. And, as of August 25, I have changed the rules so that this adult category also includes the teen category (ages 13 to 17).

=:::=

Nature turns to gold
The harvest yields its treasures
God's rich gifts to us.

Lee Fenstermacher
South Carolina

=:::=

Tonic from a spoon
in my mother's hands, coarse from
lye and prayers for rain

Marleis Browning (age 17)
Canada

=:::=

shady cage woven
o'er my head- parching stalks bow
and whisper to swath

Marleis Browning (age 17)
Canada

=:::=

Rust smears across
my cheek to pull my gaze from
Uncle's spade to sky

Marleis Browning (age 17)
Canada

=:::=

a garden lantern
amidst the flowers wafting
fragrance in the night

Tomislav Maretic
Croatia

=:::=

the newly mown lawn—
a butterfly alighting
on a spared coltsfoot

Tomislav Maretic
Croatia

=:::=

the snake appearing—
young asparagus is no
longer attractive

Tomislav Maretic
Croatia

=:::=

poppies in the corn-
on the old shaking wagon
a group of reapers

Krzysztof Kokot
POLAND

=:::=

Frosty night again—
the chirping of the cricket
behind the old stove

Maria Tirenescu
Romania

=:::=

Drizzle in the morn—
from the old trembling poplar
falling the last leaf

Maria Tirenescu
Romania

=:::=

Between thunder claps -
the eggs under hatching hen
start cracking by turns

Ciobica Cezar-Florin
Pennsylvania

=:::=

Halloween party -
in the pumpkin's grinning mouth
grandfather's denture

Ciobica Cezar-Florin
Romania

=:::=

Munching on fresh grass
Eyeing up greener pastures
Chasing cows back home

Holly Panazzi
Pennsylvania

=:::=

Take care of the soil.
Soil of all our beginnings.
Soil of our resting.

Earl Yeager
Ohio

=::=

The sunnyside way
as seeds take root and prosper.
We reap what we sow

Elizabeth Meggs
New York

=:::=

The farm children sleep
beneath patterned quilt orchards
dreaming fresh peaches

Elizabeth Meggs
New York

=:::=

Squirrels fattening
And storing away their nuts
Winter's not far off.

Macy Fout (age 13)

Ohio

=::=

The trees are stirring
The gold and red leaves flutter
In the soft, light, breeze.

Macy Fout (age 13)

Ohio

=::=

The roosters crowing
Up early in the morning
The new day begins.

Macy Fout (age 13)

Ohio

=::=

pumpkins get playful
basketball is hard for them
but they really try

Carol Denney
California

=:::=

barking in the fog
herds the bells in the pasture
back to the village

Tomislav Maretic
Croatia

=:::=

Cat dreams of the ball-
through the waters blood red glass
sun draws the last line.

Gabriela Galban
Romania

=:::=

The climbing ivy
on the house of the farmer -
a vestige of light.

Iuian Ciupitu
Romania

=:::=

The playful spring wind
through the branches of orchard -
a scarf as a gift.

Iulian Ciupitu
Romania

=:::=

In the noon's temple
the thresher tied sheaf of ears -
golden chandelier.

Iulian Ciupitu
Romania

=:::=

sunrise with coffee
Chores will wait with the chickens
Pause then rush of life.

David Proudfoot
West Virginia

=:::=

Grandpas Ex Libris-
the plants still intensely smells
in herbarium

Krzysztof Kokot
Poland

=:::=

It rains cats and dogs
gone hill forest - clearing
...houses on valley

Gheorghe POSTELNICU STOPS
Romania

=:::=

Soldiers in cornfield
browsing but not any crop-
black box crashed MIG search

Gheorghe POSTELNICU STOPS
Romania

=:::=

My green garden crashed
malpractice surgery crime-
fen crickets roots lunch

Gheorghe POSTELNICU STOPS
Romania

=:::=

granny and grandpa
joyfully swinging the swing
into the spring sky

Sasa Vazic
Serbia

=:::=

line of vehicles
dotted with family eyes--
country fair in sight

Sasa Vazic
Serbia

=:::=

watermelon patch
I let the weathered scarecrow
try on my straw hat

Darrell Lindsey
Texas

=:::=

moonless fall evening
my old nearsighted hound dog
spooked by the scarecrow

Paul Gross
Maine

=:::=

Bring the harvest in,
Grateful for God's abundance,
Jars lined up on shelves.

Gina Martin
Pennsylvania

=:::=

summer afternoon
my roadside mailbox full of
honeysuckle scent

Paul Gross
Maine

=:::=

hay bales in the barn
father and son walking home
for their cold supper

Darrell Lindsey
Texas

=:::=

Sweet-smelling hayfields
Lining the well-traveled road
Beckon me homeward.

Lee Fenstermacher
South Carolina

=:::=

The husbandman's hands
Worked, curled, and tempered with time
Like a change of heart.

Rob Kibbe
New Jersey

=:::=

approaching the rows
of watermelon thumpers
a riper sunset

Darrell Lindsey
Texas

=:::=

First peach of summer
Golden anticipation
Juice drips off elbows.

Gina Martin
Pennsylvania

=:::=

Round the hillside barn
Not overpowered by greed
He and oxen work.

Rob Kibbe
New Jersey

=:::=

warm humid twilight
loud thunder scares the children
dodging lightening bugs

Paul Gross
Maine

=:::=

Dancing in garden
Mud squeezes between bare toes,
Simple childhood joys.

Gina Martin
Pennsylvania

=:::=

a wave of poppies
breaking through the sunny field—
roar of a donkey

Ljubomir Dragovic
Bosnia and Herzegovina

=:::=

within town hidden
a quiet little orchard
brings autumn cider

Clark Ward
Georgia

=:::=

Farming Devotion
To teach tradition and faith
Morals to pass down

Lanie House
Alabama

=:::=

the field picked by men
and then sown with hundred of
these merry sparrows

Dragan J. Ristic
Serbia

=:::=

chirp of a cricket—
the first dusk falling into
a net of shadows

Ljubomir Dragovic
Bosnia and Herzegovina

=:::=

One thing grows the best,
when given the countryside.
That is our children.

Mary Mitchell
Indiana

=::=

Beautiful black soil
A gift from God to provide
Thank you for this life

Jill Gabli
North Carolina

=::=

My hot tears conceived
the tormenting sleeplessness
or the noble dew?

Delia Smaranda Tertan
Romania

=::=

Neighbors are nice,
but I think I would rather,
have some goats instead.

Mary Mitchell
Indiana

=::=

Above frozen fields
perfume of roses wasted.
Hourglass breaking...

Delia Smaranda Tertan
Romania

=::=

Is it too cold yet
for four teeming hens to lay
just two eggs this morn?

Lori Hobkirk
Colorado

=::=

the farmer looks at
the ripe mustard yellow waves
his wife laughs at him

Radhey Shiam
India

=::=

When the sun shines bright,
and the garden starts to grow,
winter's blight will fade.

Mary Mitchell
Indiana

=:::=

misty horizon
the beaks of geese pass along
a wandering path

Ljubomir Dragovic
Bosnia and Herzegovina

=:::=

Missing his mother
a nun knocked on heaven's door.
It's cold on the earth.

Delia Smaranda Tertan
Romania

=:::=

fluffy calico
washes, pounces, zips through house,
curls up in my lap.

Julie Kibbe
New Jersey

=::=

Crisp autumn morning,
bright sunrise, blazing colors,
leaves crunch underfoot.

Julie Kibbe
New Jersey

=::=

resting on the farm
the farmer waits for his wife
bringing his tiffin

Radhey Shiam
India

=::=

Day is nearing dusk.
Milk cow, gather eggs, clean barn.
God gives all good things.

Julie Kibbe
New Jersey

=::=

a farmer enjoys
pure oneness with the nature
with plough in his hands

Radhey Shiam
India

=::=

Lofty bean poles down
Higher palisade needed
Girl goats in garden.

Venessa Elhenicky
North Carolina

=::=

Liquid nectar falls
Sweet aroma fills the air
This is the good life

Casey Schillinger
Texas

(photo by Casey Schillinger)

=::=

potato harvest...
the socialist leftover
cooked at exhaust pipe.

Zinovy Vayman
the USSR

=::=

Daddy, son shooting
Blue eyes, pigtails,"Gun please sir?"
Pink gun next town trip.

Vanessa Elhenicky
North Carolina

=::=

A pining for land
Cut reliance on Big Ag
And care for my kin

Casey Schillinger
Texas

(photo by Casey Schillinger)

=::=

Japanese orchard:
each apple—still on the branch—
wrapped in thin paper

Zinovy Vayman
the USSR

=::=

watchful red rooster
strutting proudly around girls
avoiding long spurs

Spark Carranza
California

(photo by Spark Carranza)

=::=

chicken killing day
squawking heads, feathers flying
meat in the freezer

Abigail Craig
California

=::=

The sunflower smiles
As she is kissed by the sun
And warmed to the heart.

Cody Hahn (age 18)
Texas

=::=

Lonely black road curves.
Light coming around the bend.
Surely someone known.

Glenn Garson
Texas

=::=

As I watch the steer
Fore it's sent to the butcher
I can taste the steaks.

Payton Hahn (age 16)
Texas

=::=

golden buttercups
dot green fields of placid cows
making creamy milk

Abigail Craig
California

=::=

The trees are all bare.
The provisions are all stored.
Praises be to God.

Cody Hahn (age 18)
Texas

=::=

Night in quiet woods.
Cow bell rings a few flat tones.
There you are old girl.

Glenn Garson
Texas

=::=

Magnolias unfold.
Melons ripen in the field.
Summer surrounds us.

Bill Hahn
Texas

=::=

The days are shorter.
The nights are getting colder.
We need some firewood.

Payton Hahn (age 16)
Texas

=::=

collective pig farm
Soviet Swine—served at lunch--
we refuse to eat

Zinovy Vayman
the USSR

=::=

Spider on her web.
She runs behind rusted tools.
The wind shuts the door.

Glenn Garson
Texas

=::=

pumpkins, corn and beans
the Indian three sisters
a harvest dinner

Abigail Craig
California

=::=

Redtails soar above
The Barred Rocks in the meadow
As the cattle graze.

Bill Hahn
Texas

=::=

Scottish Highland Cows
on a cold winter morning
blanketed in white

Michelle Shean
Vermont

=:::=

dusty country lane—
asters lift their heads to wave
at a passing truck

Temple Cone
Maryland

=:::=

Working on her farm
City girl now in Vermont
My alarm clock moos

Michelle Shean
Vermont

=:::=

I teach my daughter
to tie a hook with the knot
my father taught me

Temple Cone
Maryland

=:::=

Walking to the barn
Rimed grass crunches with each step
Geese fly overhead

Jacqui Ehninger-Cuervo
Indiana

=:::=

blisters on my palms
from chopping firewood all day—
a field of milkweed

Temple Cone
Maryland

=:::=

Old kitchen table
bursting with garden harvest
Thanksgiving—what joy!

Jacqui Ehninger-Cuervo
Canada

=:::=

I look at blue skies
Sunlit leaves on maple tree
One gently falls down

Jacqui Ehninger-Cuervo
Canada

=:::=

A fierce wind has come.
The trees bend yielding to it
And are soon broken.

Caleb Hahn (age 14)
Texas

=:::=

Man, crag-sheep, sheepdog.
Wind ruffles hair, wool, and fur.
Fresh hill-farm weather.

Cathy Bryant
United Kingdom

=:::=

Pumpkins in the field
Ripening every day.
Harvest time is soon.

Zachary Hahn (age 16)
Texas

=:::=

Sunset gilds the fields.
End of a long day. Reward:
Honest life. A home.

Cathy Bryant
United Kingdom

=:::=

Up atop a hill
Deer are browsing in the woods.
Go grab my rifle.

Zachary Hahn (age 16)
Texas

=:::=

Downy cover white
blankets my garden bed
Sleep till spring awakes

Cindy Dougherty
New York

=:::=

The red rooster crowed
And the sun rose in the sky
When bright morning came.

Caleb Hahn (age 14)
Texas

=:::=

Rosey blooms long gone
Leaves flame orange and crackle
Crystal moons sail in

Cindy Dougherty
New York

=:::=

Night peepers crooning
from the green basin of time
Primavera's Song

Cindy Dougherty
New York

=:::=

Beyond the green hills
Flowed the narrow, swift river
Into fields of corn.

Caleb Hahn (age 14)
Texas

=:::=

Too much money spent
Fancy scalder heats too slow
Dad is not happy

Jennifer Walley
Missouri

[Note: the disappointing scalder was not a Whizbang scalder]

=:::=

The air is frigid.
All the leaves are on the ground.
Fall is upon us.

Zachary Hahn (age 16)
Texas

=:::=

The coyotes will howl
When the moon shines bright and full.
Lock up the chickens.

Bill Hahn
Texas

=:::=

Redtails soar above.
The Barred Rocks in the meadow
As the cattle graze.

Bill Hahn
Texas

=:::=

Work stresses me out
So I tend to my bee hives
Now I feel relieved

Fred Reck
Pennsylvania

=:::=

Free range on the farm
Bunny Fong my fav'rite hen
laughter pecks my feet.

Michelle Shean
Vermont

=:::=

The smell of the grass
The stars, cool evening breeze
The work just feels right

Fred Reck
Pennsylvania

=:::=

Roxi gives us milk.
My wife makes it into cheese.
I like to eat it!

Fred Reck
Pennsylvania

=:::=

Harvest the chickens
Whizbang! and around they go
to fill my freezer.

Cindy Kepler Reck
Pennsylvania

=:::=

after the tempest
a farmer upon his knees
unclogging a stream

Keith A, Simmonds
England

=:::=

Soft splat, rich earth smell,
the wind dances through the trees.
Fat raindrops falling.

Kaye Amend
Indiana

=:::=

a tractor droning...
distant jubilant voices
harvesting the grapes

Keith A. Simmonds
England

=:::=

Wobbly legs, stub tail,
bouncing across the pasture.
Filly's first frolic.

Kaye Amend
Indiana

=:::=

Silver harvest moon
shines amongst sister stars,
illuminates all.

Kaye Amend
Indiana

=:::=

The old farmer tills
Using the whizbang wheel hoe
While the garden grows

Allyn L. Watson
Arizona

=:::=

a cloud of crickets
in a frantic summer dance...
farmers' woes begin

Keith A. Simmonds
England

=:::=

autumn wind--
after the harvest
repairing fence rows

John Daleiden
Arizona

=:::=

Nature weeps in spring
Tears of rain bring earth to life
Joy after sorrow

Lee Fenstermacher
South Carolina

=:::=

Fields of Golden Wheat
Shimmer with Glittering Dew
Kissed by God's Dear Grace

Veronica Vatter
Pennsylvania

=:::=

The first day of school--
every child of the farmer
bringing a story

Eduard TARA
Romania

=:::=

Brothers and sisters
Sharing all their hopes and dreams
Echoing the past

Jalana Franklin
Tennessee

=:::=

A farm land for sale--
the price of the pond rising
with every frog song

Eduard TARA
Romania

=:::=

The sheep are grazing
On emerald green grasses
Getting fat and full

Sheila Baker
Ohio

=:::=

he harvests cotton
amid hovering dust clouds
the Sonoran sun

John Daleiden
Arizona

=:::=

Bountiful blessings
Alive and teeming pastures
God's awesome creation

Sheila Baker
Ohio

=:::=

Dried flowers and seeds
Blowing away in the wind
Never seen again

Jalana Franklin
Tennessee

=:::=

The first day of spring--
a farmer changes the clothes
of his old scarecrow

Eduard TARA
Romania

=:::=

sunlit golden fruit
harvest picking at its best
edible gold...yum!

Sierra Evans
Utah

=:::=

Children shout and splash
in the irrigation ditch--
fun in the warm sun

John Daleiden
Arizona

=:::=

Lazy summer days
Quickly coming to a close
Goodbye till next year

Jalana Franklin
Tennessee

=:::=

Albert and his dog
On a lazy summer day
Gathered slugs and bugs

Sheila Baker
Ohio

=:::=

Chopping tomato
Fresh from the garden outside
I'll do peppers next

Kendra Roden (age 15)
Texas

=:::=

I was helping, Goose
Next time, the gosling can die
For you bit my face

Kendra Roden (age 15)
Texas

=:::=

irrigation pond
boys playing hooky from chores
whisper in the rye

William Cullen, Jr.
New Hampshire

=:::=

a very long drought
all the extra harvest help
at church on Sunday

William Cullen, Jr.
New York

=:::=

scarecrow wearing rags
stares at the passing freight train
and leaning that way

William Cullen Jr.
New York

=:::=

Breeze Cools Sweaty Brows
Thankful for warm sunny days
This late in the year.

Ruth Millett
New Hampshire

=:::=

Clouds roll; cover sky.
Rain is farmer's gift from God.
Showers fall like praise.

Ellyn Gibbs (15 yrs old)
Minnesota

=:::=

Scatter your seeds well.
Weed out the hard rocks and thorns
and crops will flourish.

Ellyn Gibbs (15 yrs old)
Minnesota

=:::=

Morning sunlight breaks
the dew sparkles like diamonds
nature's jewelry.

John C Smith
West Virginia

=:::=

Hammer on my thumb
making up words to cuss with
Wife just shakes her head.

John C. Smith
West Virginia

=:::=

A rooster crowing.
It brings a smile to my face.
I love my chickens!

Linda Desrochers
Vermont

=:::=

Winter dreams, Spring hope
Summer weeds, bugs, shiny pride
Fall stores— a cycle

Rick Stewart
Colorado

=:::=

Seeds planted deeply
a splash of water and light
miracle of life.

John C. Smith
West Virginia

=:::=

Yellow chicks peeping
Warm, soft, fuzzy, so tiny
Following the light.

Lisa Webster
Georgia

=:::=

Red check tablecloth
Just like on grandma's table
Days of old gone by.

Lisa Webster
Georgia

=:::=

The sun is setting.
Chickens roosting way up high.
Calling it a night.

Linda Desrochers
Vermont

=:::=

Fresh sheets in the wind
Blowing, billowing, waving
Sheets on the clothesline

Lisa Webster
Georgia

=:::=

A rooster clucking.
Something for his girls to eat.
What a gentleman.

Linda Desrochers
Vermont

=:::=

The sheep run to me.
Is it love that brings them near?
No, it's the peanuts.

Marci Blubaugh
Ohio
.

(photo by Marci Blubaugh)

=:::=

Cock-a-doodle-doo
The rooster warns all of us
The sun is rising

Phillip Smyth
Michigan

=:::=

The sweaty farmer
All day with the animals
Smells like them at night

Bea Fenstermacher
South Carolina

=:::=

Eleven sheep sheared
Standing naked, wool all gone
Clothes soon and warm rugs

Christina Bluff
North Carolina

=:::=

Hens laying brown eggs
Cackle from the chicken yard
Proud of perfection

Christina Bluff
North Carolina

=:::=

Dark red orbs I see.
Tomatoes ready to pick.
Juice runs down my chin.

Marci Blubaugh
Ohio

=:::=

Dear old Jersey cow.
Sweet rich milk and cream she gives.
Cheese, Ice Cream, Butter.

Marci Blubaugh
Ohio

(photo by Marci Blubaugh)

=:::=

Chickens in the yard
Autumn harvest in the air
Chickens in the pot.

Ted Webster
Georgia

=:::=

This is so much fun
playing in the snow freezing
wow I need my coat

Tony Gonzales
California

=:::=

Kids eat all day long
Peaches, apples, plums and pears
Glad to have a farm

Angela Gonzales
California

=:::=

Our Dad is laughing
There's not a better thing to hear
While washing dishes

Angela Gonzales
California

=:::=

All play and no work
Makes Jack a no-count sluggard.
We won't swim that long.

Milton Hobbs
Georgia

=:::=

Friends comin' over...
Barbecue plate and sweet tea.
Taint nothing better.

Milton Hobbs
Georgia

=:::=

Whenever it's dry,
Water your garden with prayer.
God is wonderful.

Milton Hobbs

Georgia

=:::=

chickens in the yard
clucking, showing off their stuff
friends who give you eggs

Juli Martin

Arizona

=:::=

Watermelon red
Favorite summer color
Never have too much

Elizabeth Kaiser

Nebraska

=:::=

Last light flees the sky
I head for mom and supper
Hoe on my shoulder

Elizabeth Kaiser

Nebraska

=:::=

This year, the leek plants
with tiny purple flowers
opened up like fireworks

Daniel Kane Rajala

British Columbia, Canada

=:::=

BARNes & Noble- Nay!
CHICK-fil-a nor shade grown BEANS.
Fly suburban coop!

Natasha Nichols

Arizona

=:::=

My gloxinia plant

with wilting, velvet, green leaves
under marigolds now

Daniel Kane Rajala

British Columbia, Canada

=:::=

A walk on the beach
taking a look at starfish

these are real riches

Daniel Kane Rajala

British Columbia, Canada

=:::=

Wheat and tares persist
Grid lock amplified, anger.
Hope restored in fields.

Mike Nichols

Arizona

=:::=

farmer faces chore

take inventory of sheep
without nodding off

Scott Kelland

Ontario, Canada

=:::=

Blueberries in Maine
Harvesting season's bounty
Summer in a jar

Michelle Berger

Maine

=:::=

dog, best friend to man
other friends seldom ever
poop in my front yard

Scott Kelland

Ontario, Canada

=:::=

Sun peeks 'tween two trees.
I know I'm moving; it's not
Look again: Gone.

Carla Hayes

Illinois

=:::=

walking in pasture
when struck by notion, should lock
up the bull, Notion.

Scott Kelland

Ontario, Canada

=:::=

Working in the fields,
Whispering prayers for God's grace,
We plant, seed by seed.

Cindy Waitz

Texas

=:::=

Pick Delicately,
And only when fully ripe,
For I am a fig.

Cindy Waitz

Texas

=:::=

See the Sunflowers
Standing taller than the corn
Saying "Look at Me!"

Dorothy Sadowky

California

=:::=

All creation sings
Holy, holy, holy Lord!
Bring home the harvest.

Cindy Waitz

Texas

=:::=

The sky grew darker
Thunder roared, lightning flashing
Killed my only bull!

Rev. Billy E. Jacks

Georgia

=:::=

Darkness cool and moist
Cup of hot coffee in hand,
I enter the barn...

Todd Toney

Texas

=:::=

Porch swing creaks slowly
Rhythmic sound of peas snapping
Grandma is content

Todd Toney

Texas

=:::=

Dust beneath my nails
Embeds me in Creation
This from whence I came.

Ryan Powers

Arkansas

=:::=

Tailgate down, feet swing
Pick them up passing this house!
Their dogs like to chase!

Todd Toney

Texas

=:::=

Why buy store-bought milk
When I can get it myself
Right out of the cow?

Sue M. Young

Oklahoma

=:::=

Weeding the garden
Can cause my mind to wander
To thoughts of order.

Sue M. Young

Oklahoma

=:::=

Pastures rest at night
While the sheep slumber nearby
Under tall oak trees.

Sue M. Young

Oklahoma

=:::=

On one sixty-fourth
Of an acre, I planted
My independence!

Daniel G. MacNeal

Maryland

=:::=

Bouncing Clattering
First pass with the sulky plow
Avocation sings

Daniel G. MacNeal

Maryland

=:::=

Tragedy marked by
Lingering luminescence
Firefly Windshield Splat

Daniel G. MacNeal

Maryland

=:::=

Beautiful Pastures
Where animals graze and play
Such serenity

Toni McCauley

New Jersey

=:::=

Berries on the briar
Sweat dripping into my eyes
Jelly one me two

Kenny Brewer

Ohio

=:::=

Rooster's a crowin'
Cock a doodle do, he says.
Time to start the day.

Pauline Longmoore

Georgia

=:::=

Hens hold your feathers!
The Whizbang clucker plucker
robs you of your clothes.

Pauline Longmoore

Georgia

=:::=

Sunflowers swaying
Faces basking in the rays
Bees tickling flowers

George Watson

Arizona

=:::=

Unfold before me
Yards of rich, loamy fabric
I'll sow something fine

Lisa Bolster

Florida

=:::=

On the front porch swing

The old Farmer's Almanac
Keeps me company.

Paulina Longmoore

Georgia

=:::=

Bees forage flowers
Loading gold from the visits
Bounty to the hive

George Watson

Arizona

=:::=

Skunks roam far and wide
Young trailing dutifully
Not again poor dog

Dave Hartley

Nevada

=:::=

A freshly caught trout

Tomatoes warmed by the Son

Summer must be here

Dave Hartley

Nevada

=:::=

The seeds that we sow
The rewards that nature gives
For us to enjoy

Toni McCauley

New Jersey

=:::=

The bounty of work
With a loving hand prepared
A soul's true delight

Dave Hartley

Nevada

=:::=

Oil-slicks on wet streets
My side gate's a portal to
Solace in tilled soil

Lisa Bolster

Florida

=:::=

Sparkling jars in rows
cooling on the countertop
such beautiful food

Dawn Curtis

Arkansas

=:::=

God's times and seasons
wait not for man's convenience—
Keep up if you can.

Dawn Curtis

Arkansas

=:::=

Roosters go courting,
a puffin' and a crowin'
while the hens chuckle.

Dawn Curtis

Arkansas

=:::=

Our kids love to grow
Excitement they understand
Seed time and harvest

Richard Samples

Texas

=:::=

Yes---you can do it
Pluck your chicks with the whiz-bang
It makes it easy.

Richard Samples

Texas

=:::=

Our best garden yet
kept weed free with daily work
The plants perform so.

Richard Samples

Texas

=:::=

Till the soil by hand
Nurture the seedling daily
Reaping the bounty

Michael Powell

Kentucky

=:::=

Seed of life growing
Field of harvest plentiful
Spirit faith water

Michael Powell

Kentucky

=:::=

To God be glory
Man's impossibilities
Without the One, none.

Michael Powell

Kentucky

=:::=

The smell of hot dust
With faint backnotes of stinkbug
Eau d-tomato

Georgiaberry Mobley

Arkansas

=:::=

The grass keeps growing.
Ruminants could eat their fill,
If I had a fence

Georgiaberry Mobley

Arkansas

=:::=

Ahead in the road
Tawny baby with white spots
Brings me to a stop.

Herrick Kimball

New York

=:::=

The fluffy baby
Nestled in his mother's nest
Keeps his mouth open.

Donald Moyer

Pennsylvania

=:::=

The pack was open
The furrow was freshly dug
Let me drop the seeds.

Donald Moyer

Pennsylvania
=:::=

The kite was flying
The shiny key on the tail
Waiting for the storm.

Donald Moyer

Pennsylvania
=:::=

Barns have mice galore
Cats like to eat lots of mice
Mice make more kittens

Chris Baker

California
=:::=

Tractors pull the plow
Horse and oxen used to do
Fertilize they don't

Chris Baker

California
=:::=

Hats are fun to wear
They shade my face from the sun
No sunburn for me.

Chris Baker

California
=:::=

Scythe sings quietly
Cutting dewy morning hay
Birds pick up the tune

Wayne Seidl

Maine
=:::=

Whizbang softly whirrs
My family thanks Herrick
Easy plucking now

Wayne Seidl

Maine
=:::=

Hunting owl blinking
Watching in the full moon's light
Mice are not safe now

Wayne Seidl

Maine
=:::=

Wee four-biddy coop
Cities don't permit fresh eggs
Mom yearns for a farm

Lisa Bolster

Florida
=:::=

Beautiful EE
Warm green feet rest on my wrist
A bird, yet my friend.

Thomas Ague

Illinois
(EE is an "Easter Egger" hen)

=:::=

Cucumber slices
Fresh from my summer garden
Crisp juicy goodness

Michelle Kercheval

Arkansas

=:::=

A hard row to hoe
Is but a common refrain
Until you have one

Michelle Kercheval

Arkansas
=:::=

Tire swing hangs limply
From the old hickory branch
Waiting for her still

Michelle Kercheval

Arkansas

=:::=

Moving the tractor
Well worth all of the effort
Hens enjoy fresh greens

Thomas Ague

Illinois

=:::=

Tiny twirlers leap
Boldly into verdant air,
A forest follows

Robert Harrison

Michigan

=:::=

Sun dappled leaves shade
A drowsing gardener below;
Weeds grow unopposed.

Robert Harrison

Michigan

=:::=

Awash with gold flame
Autumnal fireworks drift down,
Bittersweet farewell

Robert Harrison

Michigan

=:::=

Farmhouse kitchen morn
Cookstove fire warms bread and friends
Snow blows cold outside

Scott Alexander

Pennsylvania

=:::=

Summer sun awakes
Garden kissed by morning dew
Reaching for the sky

Scott Alexander

Pennsylvania

=:::=

Backyard trees grow full
Fruit hangs low on laden limbs
Eager to be picked

Scott Alexander

Pennsylvania

=:::=

Spring in my garden.
Hope and faith join the dark soil,
As I plant small seeds.

Herrick Kimball

New York

=:::=

The thumb, juicy orange,

looks under green leaves for more

potato bug eggs.

Herrick Kimball

New York

These Are The Prizes That You Could Win In This Contest

2010-06-30T03:53:00.001-07:00

As explained in the Contest Rules & Guidelines, winners of this year's Deliberate Agrarian Haiku Poetry Contest will be announced on 1 December 2010. There are three age categories in this contest and lots of opportunities to win a prize (14 prizes in all), and I think you’ll agree that these are some distinctly nice prizes. Fact is, I’m sure there has never been a haiku poetry contest with prizes this great! :-)

Adult Category

(18 years old & older)

First Prize
A Planet Whizbang Wheel Hoe

This is the ultimate tool for serious gardeners. Weed management is so much easier and faster (even enjoyable!) with a Planet Whizbang wheel hoe.

You could make your own deluxe wheel hoe like shown above by purchasing an inexpensive bolt-together metal parts kit from Planet Whizbang, and following the complete, step-by-step photo tutorial at www.WhizbangWheelHoe.com. Or you could buy a more expensive, fully-assembled and powder-painted wheel hoe. Or you could simply compose a 3-line, 17-syllable haiku poem and win yourself one of these wheel hoes, complete with ash handles. Then, bolt the handles on and sally forth to joyfully cultivate your garden.

Second Prize
Red Pig Half Moon Hoe

The Red Pig company makes some nice gardening tools. I have one of these half moon hoes and like it a lot. You will too. You can learn more about this great tool, and the rest of the Red Pig tools, at this link: Red Pig Half Moon Hoe

Third Prize
Homemade Soaps Selection

My wife, Marlene, has been crafting and selling bar soaps for several years under the name, Morning Glory Soapworks. These locally-famous soaps are made with all-natural ingredients and are a delight to the senses. They also lather up nice and get a body clean. Personally, I haven’t used commercial bar soap (or shampoo) for nearly ten years—Marlene’s bar soap is all I need. You won’t find a better, more down-to-earth soap anywhere.

This prize is for four bars (not as many as in the picture) of Morning Glory Soapworks soap. One bar will be Lavender-Calendula, which is my favorite. The other three will be a surprise. You can learn more about Marlene's soaps at this link: Morning Glory Soaps at New Hope Mills

Fourth Prize
Piggy Back Massage Roller

Garth Fout is a renowned Ohio artist and a real down-to-earth guy. He is remarkably creative (and enterprising) and and I love to go to his online Etsy store. I also enjoy reading his ::foutfolk:: blog.

So when he contacted me and offered one of his "Piggy Back Massage" rollers as a prize in this year's agrarian haiku contest, I was pleased as could be.

Thanks Garth!

Teen Category

(13 to 17 years old)
UPDATE:
Due to lack of any teen submissions as of August 25,
the teen category has been combined with the adult category,
and the following prizes will be awarded in the adult category

First Prize
Two Cast Iron Pie Irons With Recipe Book

Campfire pie irons open up a whole new world of fast, easy & fun homemade culinary concoctions, and I'm including the official pie iron cookbook to get you off to the right start.

Check out some pie iron recipes at this link: Pie Iron Recipes

Second Prize
Carla Emery’s Old Fashioned Recipe Book

I’ve been married for 30 years. Back then I had a part-time business cleaning chimneys and worked as a carpenter’s helper full time. Upon hearing that I was going to be getting married soon, one of my chimney cleaning customers presented me with an early wedding present. It was a brand new copy of this now-famous book by the late Carla Emery. Wow. What a nice gift that was! We have read and consulted this book many times over the years. It is truly an encyclopedia of useful down-to-earth information from a woman who really knew what she was doing when it came to hands-on rural living. You can read more about this book at this link: The Encyclopedia of Country Living

Third Prize
The Complete Tightwad Gazette

Thrift is a viable alternative lifestyle. It can also be something of an adventure, not to mention a fun challenge and, in time, financially rewarding. I should also mention that it is just plain good sense.

That said, smart teens will grasp the vision of thrifty living and, with that thought in mind, this book provides plenty of practical how-to information, as well as some great inspiration. I like to give this book as a wedding gift. But it’s really the kind of book that is better read (and the philosophy absorbed) before marriage. You can learn more about this book at this link: The Complete Tightwad Gazette

Fourth Prize
The Back To Basics Book

My teenage years were filled with reading about all kinds of down-to-earth, hands-on projects and then actually pursuing a few of them. Indeed, such interests and activities were the foundation on which, many years later, I developed my Planet Whizbang business. I have an older copy of this book from the 1970’s. It is an inspiring compilation of useful information and you can read more about the book at this link: Back to Basics

Youth Category

(up to 13 years old)

First Prize
Two Cast Iron Campfire Waffle Irons
(with New Hope Mills pancake mix and a jug of maple syrup)

You can use these campfire waffle irons outdoors over a campfire, or indoors over a wood stove fire. If properly seasoned, the cast iron will give you a lifetime of easy waffles and good fun.

Included with this prize will be a bag of pancake mix from my friends at New Hope Mills, and a bottle or real maple syrup.

Second Prize

Two Cast Iron Pie Irons With Recipe Book

This is the same prize I showed above as the first prize in the teen category. Younger kids (maybe with some help from mom and dad) can learn and enjoy the skill of pie iron cooking too. And, of course, I'll also send a copy of the official pie iron cook book.

Check out the pie iron recipes at this link: Pie Iron Recipes

Third Prize
(five winners)
Two Private Eye Loupes on Lanyards

When my boys were younger, I bought several of these Private Eye loupe magnifying glasses and we had a lot of fun with them. One of the things we did was go outside, lay on the lawn and spend some time taking a very close look at the grass, the soil underneath, seeds, decayed vegetation, and various forms of living creatures in that practically-forgotton world right under our feet. Included with the two loupes on lanyards will be the Private Eye "Five Fun Steps" book.

I think the Private Eye concept of using loupes to explore the unseen and unappreciated natural world all around us is one of the most exciting and brilliant educational ideas I know of. Here's an excerpt about the Private Eye is all about:

The Private Eye is a hands-on learning process that rivets the eye and rockets the mind. Using everyday objects, The Private Eye’s easy questioning strategy, and an almost magical tool, a jeweler’s loupe, you’ll accelerate concentration, critical thinking and creativity — for all ages and all ability levels, K-16, through life.

Day by day, in the arts or the sciences, you’ll build close observation skills linked to the mental muscle of “thinking by analogy.” Learners write, draw and theorize at higher levels than they have before. With The Private Eye you’ll develop minds into self-propelling engines of creative insight. So join us, along with millions of students and teachers. Discover new worlds. Magnify minds.

You can learn more about everything to do with the Private Eye at this link: The Private Eye

Please note that there will be five winners in this category and each winner will get two Private Eye loupes with two lanyards and the book.

2010 Deliberate AgrarianHaiku Poetry ContestThe Winners

2010-06-30T03:53:00.000-07:00

Dateline: 2 December 2010

I had no idea what to expect when I launched this contest several months ago. But the response was great and a total of 268 haiku submissions were received. Every poem is good in its own way. Some are whimsical. Some are serious. Some really make you think. Choosing the winning entries was difficult. Very difficult.

My wife (Marlene) and I were the official judges of this contest. In the adult category (219 submissions), we both evaluated every poem together and ended up with 33 finalists. I then printed off two copies of the 33 haikus and we each spent some time on our own trying to whittle our list down to a top ten.

Both of us were in total agreement about the first place winner. From there, we shared many of the same favorites but I can tell you there was a lot of discussion and deliberation.

We decided that the fourth prize in the adult category would go to a whimsical or offbeat haiku. We also changed the prizes just a little. Since there were far less submissions in the teen category, we decided to give two of the teen prizes as 5th and 6th prizes in the adult category. That left two prizes in the teen category, so we added a third place prize there.

Then we decided to acknowledge five haiku in the adult category that were close finalists. They are listed below as "Honorable Mention" (but no prizes are being awarded).
.

I would like to thank everyone who participated in this contest— especially the younger kids. All 219 poems entered in this contest are like little 17-syllable jewels, and I feel richer for having read them.
.

Now, without further ado, on behalf of our esteemed contest sponsor (Planet Whizbang), it is my great honor to present to you the winning entries in the Deliberate Agrarian Haiku Poetry Contest for 2010...

Adult Category

1st

Unfold before me

Yards of rich, loamy fabric

I'll sow something fine

Lisa Bolster

Florida

(wins a Planet Whizbang wheel hoe)

2nd

Farmhouse kitchen morn

Cookstove fire warms bread and friends

Snow blows cold outside

Scott Alexander

Pennsylvania

(wins a Red Pig half moon hoe)

3rd

Downy cover white

blankets my garden bed

Sleep till spring awakes

Cindy Dougherty

New York

(wins a gift box of Morning Glory soaps)

4th

Tragedy marked by

Lingering luminescence

Firefly Windshield Splat

Daniel G. MacNeal

Maryland

(wins a Handcrafted-by-Garth Piggy Back Massage Roller)

5th

The sunflower smiles

As she is kissed by the sun

And warmed to the heart

Cody Hahn

Texas

(wins the Back To Basics book)

6th

Bring the harvest in,

Grateful for God's abundance,

Jars lined up on shelves.

Gina Martin

Pennsylvania

(wins the Tightwad Gazette book)

Honorable Mention

Scythe sings quietly

Cutting dewy morning hay

Birds pick up the tune

Wayne Seidl

Maine

I teach my daughter

to tie a hook with the knot

my father taught me

Temple Cone

Maryland

Last light flees the sky

I head for mom and supper

Hoe on my shoulder

Elizabeth Kaiser

Nebraska

This year, the leek plants

with tiny purple flowers

opened up like fireworks

Daniel Kane Rajala

British Columbia, Canada

Sweet-smelling hayfields

lining the well-traveled road

beckon me homeward.

Lee Fenstermacher

South Carolina

Teen Category

1st

Chopping tomato

Fresh from the garden outside

I'll do peppers next

Kendra Roden

Texas

(wins a set of pie irons)

2nd

Pumpkins in the field

Ripening every day.

Harvest time is soon.

Zachary Hahn

Texas

(wins Encyclopedia of Country Living book)

3rd

Squirrels fattening

And storing away their nuts

Winter's not far off.

Macy Fout

Ohio

(wins a gift box of Morning Glory soaps)

Youth Category

1st

Leaves in the wind

Twirling like a tornado

Settle down again

Brayden Panazzi (age 8)

Pennsylvania

(wins waffle irons, pancake mix & maple syrup)

2nd

Netted butterfly

Flickering wings like a fan

Butterfly be free

Malia Bolster (age 6)

Florida

(wins two pie irons)

3rd

(Five 3rd place prizes of Private Eye loupes with lanyards go to the following)

Watch the hummingbird

sip nectar from a flower.

Now it flies away.

Jonathan Craig (age 6.5)

California

pork turkey ham beans

corn beef chicken chili all

are a balanced meal

Noah Winslow (age 10)

Tennesee

horses so pretty

galloping in the pasture

manes and tails flowing

Grace Johnson (age 10)

Missouri

I have a chicken.

She is my favorite chicken.

Her name is Katie.

Katherine Waitz (age 7)

Texas

Leaves in the blue sky

Falling—orange, red, and brown-

It is now autumn.

Maegan Webster (age 8)

Georgia

A Word FromThe Sponsor of This Contest

2010-06-30T03:51:00.000-07:00

Dateline: 1 July 2010

By: Herrick Kimball

It is my pleasure to sponsor The Deliberate Agrarian Haiku Poetry Contest for 2010. That title, “The Deliberate Agrarian,” comes from a blog of the same name which I’ve been writing for over five years. My blog is subtitled, “One Man’s Ruminations About Faith, Family & Livin' The The Good Life.” My Christian-agrarian worldview and lifestyle provides ample fodder for blogging. Here is a link to the blog: www.TheDeliberateAgrarian.com

In addition to blogging, I have a home-based business called Whizbang Books. That business name will soon transition into Planet Whizbang (with the new logo above). As the tagline explains, Planet Whizbang (or Whizbang Books) is a company that provides "down-to-earth books, tools, and inspiration" to people who are pursuing what I like to call “hands-on personal sustainability.”

For example, Planet Whizbang sells a book I wrote with directions for making a simple “whizbang” chicken plucking machine. When it comes time to harvest and process a flock of your wholesome homegrown broiler chickens, a Whizbang plucker will pick all the feathers off those birds in a few seconds. You just flip the switch and watch the machine do all the work. No kidding! Planet Whizbang also makes and sells some of the parts needed to build the Whizbang plucker. You can learn all about the plucker and the parts at: www.WhizbangPlucker.com

Another popular product from Planet Whizbang is the Whizbang apple grinder and cider press. It is the most remarkably efficient, surprisingly simple, and downright affordable home cidermaking system ever devised. Making your own sweet cider is a great family activity and memory maker. Full details about the Whizbang cider planbook and Planet Whizbang press parts can be found at: www.WhizbangCider.com

Gardening is an essential part of the hands-on sustainable lifestyle and I have published numerous internet essays on the subject. They have been collected and archived at www.WhizbangGardening.com

With successful gardening in mind, I developed the Planet Whizbang wheel hoe design in 2009. The Planet Whizbang hoe is an incredibly useful tool that you can make yourself by following my FREE step-by-step online photo tutorial at www.WhizbangWheelHoe.com

For those who would like a little help with the project, I also sell inexpensive Planet Whizbang wheel hoe parts kits, as well as fully-assembled wheel hoes. Full details are at the aforementioned link.

By the way, the unusual Planet Whizbang logo at he top of this page was derived from a logo I came up with for the Planet Whizbang wheel hoe. You can read the story behind the logo HERE.

Planet Whizbang offers other unique, down-to-earth books and you can learn about them at “Planet Whizbang Central,” which is, for now, still a web site known as “Whizbang Books.” Here is a link: www.WhizbangBooks.com

The modest success of my Planet Whizbang business is what enables me to sponsor this little agrarian haiku contest and to offer a variety of nifty, down-to-earth prizes. I like the idea of sponsoring the creation of simple poetry that celebrates agrarian culture. I also like the idea of a contest that whole families can have fun participating in. And, of course, I like spreading the word about Planet Whizbang. :-) I hope you will tell others about this contest.

In addition to the above links, I invite you to check out the following partial selection of essays that I’ve published to the internet:

Welcome To The Whizbang Row Cover Hoop System

Simple materials + intelligent design = organic success in the garden

Diary of an 1892 Farmer's Wife

My great, great grandmother, Josephine Jordan, kept a line-a-day diary

The Jeffersonian Solution

My New York Times Op-Ed

How to Butcher a Chicken

This clear, concise, step-by-step online photo tutorial has had nearly a million page views

Donald Hall's Ox Cart Man

Speaking of agrarian poetry, and my opinion of what makes for good poetry....

What My Grandmother Did For Me