Em Blood of Sonder Farmstead

The 484th recipient is Em Blood of Sonder Farmstead in Deming, WA. Em writes:

What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Self-care is enjoying a cold coconut water at lunch in the summer time. It is a massage 1x month. It's having solid work boots and making time off the farm to spend with friends over a plate of tacos. It's the every morning stretch with the crew before we get into the field. It's knowing you absolutely need a self-care routine to begin with.”

How I might use this $100 self-care award: “I take myself on a 1x monthly camp trip off the farm. My partner and I usually get a campsite, bring scrabble, and enjoy a whole evening offline and tuned into the quiet. I'll use this to get us into the woods to celebrate the monthly excursion.”

Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-being as a farmer: "The most important and daily need is getting loads of sleep and spending time in nature with my favorite people. It's so easy to get locked onto the land when you're deep in the summer farming, but I've learned the trick to my well-being is to get out of the field by 2pm and out to the river with snacks and my dog. Cold plunges and pushing those emails off until tomorrow.”

#realfarmercare