Brenda Gonzalez of Finca Seremos
- realfarmercare
- Dec 17, 2025
- 1 min read
The 585th recipient is Brenda Gonzalez of Finca Seremos in Callicoon Center, NY. Brenda writes:
What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “We are all deeply connected with the earth we steward, and as a farmer I seek to care for my body the same way I care for the earth and my plants. My body is my livelihood and my most important tool, so whether it's quality food, staying on top of medical appointments, yoga, quality work shoes and clothes, all of it contributes to creating the best possible conditions for my body, similarly to the way we work hard to create the best possible growing conditions for our plants.”
How I might use this $100 self-care award: ”I spend two days a week in wash pack processing all our produce, and the constant water exposure requires skin care I had not anticipated when I first started farming. I would use the grant to purchase cuticle oils and lotions to reduce the cracking my hand skin experiences, as well as a set of weather and waterproof gloves for the fall when wash pack water is super cold.”
Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-being as a farmer: "We can't generate more time in the day for rest, so improving the quality of our rest would be the most strategic way to improve our well-being. We are overdue for a new mattress and that's where I would start self care if cost constraints didn't exist.”