The 278th recipient is Allen Williams of Valley Flora Farm @valley.flora in Langlois, OR. Allen writes:
What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “To me, self-care is to pry my physical body and brain out of the farming universe and take a breather. I love farming! So much so that I have trouble turning it off. If I'm not laboring physically my mind is going a million miles an hour thinking of all the things I need to do, or could do, etc. It is a blessing to love what I do, but can also become my curse. Well-being, for me, means to do my best and strive to find harmony and balance in all that I do. Aside from farming, I am many other things and wear many other hats. To show up present and ready is an art that I would he lying if I said I have mastered. Well-being is riding that wave when you are on your A game and relishing it in its glory, because for me, it never lasts. Also, to be gentle on myself when I'm not there or where I think I should be.”
How I might use this $100 self-care award: “A massage! I can count on one of my hands the amount of times I have had a massage. I feel that farmers are in need of this service more than most. To have permission to relax and do nothing is a gift, and getting my tired achy muscles worked on is a bonus!”
Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-being as a farmer: “To let go of my fear of bosses. I have had some intense experiences working with other farm owners. Now that I am in a good situation and happy with the farm I am on, I know I still carry that baggage with me. My work day is filled with fear that I'm not pleasing my boss or not good enough. Or if I mess up I'll not only get my source of income taken away but my home as well. If I could let go of this one thing, my work life would be transformed. Not quite sure how to heal it. More check ins with my boss would probably help. Imaginations can run wild sometimes!”
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