Krystal Kraczkowski of Sunny Acres Farmstead

The 430th recipient is Krystal Kraczkowski of Sunny Acres Farmstead in Baltic, CT. Krystal writes:

What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Taking time to make sure my stress levels are acknowledged and that my body is functioning properly with minimal pain is self care and well being to me. As farmers we tend to push ourselves to our limits to get work done, but we need to keep balanced with proper care to keep going. To know our tipping points and to be able to enjoy the work we do is important, and that means slowing down sometimes and taking a moment to do something just for me. When we love ourselves, and we love the work we do, it should show in the products we produce.”

How I might use this $100 self-care award: “I would use the $100 and take a day to go to the local spa and spend they day in a sauna and hot tub and just relax and release the tension from the year.”

Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-being as a farmer: "Stress reduction is the most important self-care need as a farmer,  and that comes from proper nutrition, proper body mechanics to reduce injuries while working, and mindfulness/meditation to help remind us that we are important and come first before our work, because we do the work only if we take care of ourselves first.”

#realfarmercare