Lots of heavy news in 2017, so we will feature a few lighter items to ease into holiday time.

A Pennsylvania farm equipment dealer created an amazing Christmas light show–30 pieces of equipment are wrapped in lights and are all synchronized to music.

Esther the Wonder Pig is an accidental media mania. Her owners bought a “micro pig” that grew into a 650-pound star. Esther is a house pig who has about a million-and-a-half followers on her social media accounts. She owns trunks full of clothing–including coats, bonnets, and several handmade evening gowns–all sent to her from fans around the world.  

Now farmers can talk to their Amazon home devices and get updates directly from agriculture news sources–current events, weather, market information, and more. This story includes some sample “conversation starters” in case you want to chat with Alexa, and this blog entry shows what might happen when a farmer asks Alexa for specific help: “Alexa, do you believe in Santa?   

Luke Skywalker is probably the most famous farm boy in the galaxy. He grew up on his aunt and uncle’s moisture farm on the desert planet of Tatooine, and he used his farm common sense and work ethic as he became a Jedi knight. This article continues the Star Wars focus with a video of Derek Klingenberg—ag humorist—performing as Darth Farmer. May the Force be with you if you watch it all. 

by dan gogerty (top pic from dailymail.co.uk)