Joy Youwakim of Saboon Maazeh

The 589th recipient is Joy Youwakim of Saboon Maazeh in Chester, NY. Joy writes:

What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “I farm because it helps me breathe and feel grounded and connected to our life force— feeding my community and staying tied to the rhythms of our Earth. This work is all encompassing with my life and as such fills my cup; it is work that I love and I do not know who I would be without it. I have dedicated the past ten years of my life to growing food and creating a space where I can connect to others through heritage preservation. Self care means to me that I can preserve these feelings and be able to be present in the moments of this work, which is a challenge simply due to the fact that the work is never ending, always full of surprises, and requires a constant vigilance. Self care in farming means not losing ourselves amongst the weeds, and it is something I’m learning and relearning how to do as I grow and expand each season.”

How I might use this $100 self-care award: ”I would absolutely get a massage or acupuncture.” 

Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-being as a farmer: "Physical recovery followed by communal gathering.”

#realfarmercare