The 340th recipient is Julia Asherman of Rag and Frass Farm @ragandfrassfarm in Jeffersonville, GA. Julia writes:
What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Self-care and wellness means prioritizing one’s own needs for emotional and physical recharging and care above the needs of our everything and everyone else — farm, customers, family, crew — for some brief time. I say ‘above’ because there is no ‘equal to’ when you are farming; I actually need to chose myself over other things because there is not enough time to chose both most of the time. As a full-time farmer, boss, crew leader, partner, and mom of a toddler, I feel pulled to worry and prioritize literally everyone and everything around me, never having time to indulge in things that are entirely about what makes me happy and full. My job is making sure everyone else has what they need, making sure everything else can function smoothly, and self-care would mean prioritizing my needs, however ‘unproductive’, to the same level as the people and the farm around me.”
How I might use this $100 self-care award: “I would like to spend a day or two cleaning out and refreshing my art studio and spend the money on organizational improvements and childcare so that I can take the time to really make the space useful again. I think revamping the space will enable me to more easily use it in the small chunks of time I have available throughout the farming season, and mentally gives me a place to make art that gives me energy and a mental reset.”
Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-being as a farmer: “I need to restore a system of balance to my life and the farm. No single event or purchase can do this, but creating the physical space to implement this in an ongoing way is what I need to feel like I can step away from work or family and explore the hobbies that bring me joy and clarity. I need to make art to reclaim part of my identity, and I need a space to do this. If you don’t have a bedroom, it is hard to just lay down and rest. If you don’t have a studio, it is hard to just make art as a part of a lifestyle.”
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