I've noted previously that Enterprise (the series) has a conspicuous obsession with food, from scenes as early as Moore's farm to Phlox's latest delectable du jour. For every slice of pecan pie to every chunk of cheese for the beagle however, since Enterprise (the ship) is unequipped with complex protein replicators she must somehow supply the victual needs of her crew the old fashioned way - stow it or grow it!

So long as the exact size of NX-01 remains in flux we cannot accurately assess how much food Enterprise carries and how much is produced fresh. This means we must save for later a comprehensive analysis of on-board hydroponic requirements. A quick estimate would be about a metric ton or so of food per crewman per year, for a ship with storage capacity several dozen times that.

You'll have to do the math; I ain't got time for anything fancier at the moment. Because not by bread alone does man survive. Pressed by twin demands of time and expectation (and with recent holiday overeating still heavily in presence), the wisdom tapped from our agricultural ancestors serves this week to provide a greeting of peace and goodwill to all people in this, humanity's second year since establishing ourselves as a space-bound species.

Last year proved to be a tremendous success for Star Trek; here's to similar if not superior blessings in the twelve months to come! All it takes is a good recipe and quality materials. In that spirit then, so ordered from the Bridge to Hydroponics: In addition to the allotment required for what each crewmember consumes, the following is to be produced this year.

Begin with three simple rows of peas - peace of mind, peace of heart, and peace of soul.

Then include four rows of lettuce - lettuce be faithful, lettuce be kind, lettuce be patient, and lettuce love one another.

Toss in three rows of turnips - turnip for service, turnip for meetings, and turnip to help out as you can.

Add five rows of squash - squash gossip, squash apathy, squash grumbling, squash ignorance, and squash selfishness.

Finally, furnish at least three rows of thyme - thyme for each other, thyme for family, and thyme for friends. OK, there's maybe one more row, not that you need it - thyme for Star Trek!

Sow all these with a strong heart. Cultivate them with faith, water them with love, and tend them with patience, and your harvest will be healthy.

Live long and prosper all through a safe and happy new year!