Katie Jantzen of West End Farm

The 554th recipient is Katie Jantzen of West End Farm in Plymouth, NE. Katie writes:

What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Farming can be all-consuming, so to me self-care in the context of farming is something that gets my mind (and my body) off the farm for a short time. When I'm on the farm, I always see one more weed that needs to be pulled, one more reminder note that needs to be made, one more piece of equipment that needs to be moved. Because the work never ends, it's hard to relax and think about other things. Given that, self-care can be anything that effectively allows me to consciously set aside the farm in my mind so I can focus on other important things in my life.”

How I might use this $250 self-care award: ”I would use the $250 award to go to the city with a friend for a nice meal out and a massage. This accomplishes the main goal of self-care in the context of farming for me: getting me off the farm for a little while in order to focus on other things. In addition, it would provide an opportunity to spend time reconnecting with a friend while enjoying good food and taking care of my body. In the height of the busy season, it can be easy to neglect each of those things. I often feel as though I don't have enough time to see friends. Even though I grow food, I don't always take the time to enjoy cooking it when I'm hot and tired after a long day of work. And, all that work means my body could definitely use a massage.” 

Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-being as a farmer: "The most important self-care needs I have are for nurturing relationships and caring for my body. Farming can be isolating, especially in my situation: mostly farming alone in a rural area at the end of a dead-end road. When I'm struggling to keep up with all the tasks that need to be done on the farm, it's hard to justify spending time with friends. However, maintaining the support system that friendships provide is crucial to my mental health. While it's challenging to implement, I know the importance of caring for my body. I often push myself to continue working to complete a task in the heat or find myself with sore muscles from not taking appropriate breaks. Eating odd meals at odd times because of a hectic schedule also doesn't serve my body well. I would like to better care for my body since it's my most important tool.”

#realfarmercare