The 246th recipient is Colin Fischer of Wanderwood Farm @wanderwoodfarm in Everson, WA. Colin writes:
What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “To me, self-care in the context of farming means intentionally stepping away from the physical and mental demands of the work to alleviate the high stress levels inherent in the profession. It involves dedicating time to recharge and ensure that both mental and physical health can recover from the intense and often relentless nature of farming.”
How I might use this $100 self-care award: “I would use the award to visit a massage therapist specializing in treating repetitive stress injuries and back pain. This treatment would help relieve the physical strain that comes with farming. It's remarkable how much an aching and perennially injured back can amplify stress levels, especially for someone managing a physically and mentally demanding workload.”
Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-being as a farmer: “For me personally, consistent access to bodywork, such as massage therapy, and engaging in preventive practices like yoga would be the most beneficial to my well-being. These practices help address the physical toll that farming takes on my body, particularly the repetitive stress and strain that can lead to chronic discomfort or injury. As a farmer, the physical manifestations of stress—such as muscle tension, fatigue and higher likelihood of injury—have the most significant impact on my overall well-being. if I were able to engage in these self-care activities, I'd maintain better physical health and, in turn, sustain the energy and focus needed to more effectively manage the demands of farming.”
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