Brenda Miller of Bobolink Farm

The 374th recipient is Brenda Miller of Bobolink Farm in Liberty, NY. Brenda writes:

What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “It means that I am caring for my physical, emotional and spiritual health including and especially during the most hectic times of the season so that the product I am offering to my customers is imbued with the state of my own being. It's much easier in the winter. I am ever challenged to keep the self care going even in the craziness of the growing season. For 40 years I have been doing this work as an employee of others. Finally, as of 2019, I am on land that is mine to farm in the way that I have been envisioning since I was in my 20's! As an older, queer person, it’s challenging but I want to extend this amazing run as long as I can. For that, self-care is everything. I have significant joint and tissue issues from a lifetime of hard labor but I keep myself going, daily, with athletic tape, ice and absolute love for my work and my farm.”

How I might use this $100 self-care award: “First choice would be deep tissue massage. Second would be financing a day and night at the beach next summer. Third would be spending it on things like bath salts; teas and healthy food staples.”

Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-being as a farmer: "For me, ongoing counseling support would be amazing, too. Not necessarily heavy-duty psychotherapy but just someone to check in with regularly. For when things get intense or discouraging, when burn-out is setting in (which seems to happen every season) and even to check in about the victories, the positives, the wins in the self-care realm.” 

#realfarmercare