Michaela Hayes-Hodge of Rise & Root Farm
- realfarmercare
- Dec 17, 2025
- 1 min read
The 579th recipient is Michaela Hayes-Hodge of Rise & Root Farm in Chester, NY. Michaela writes:
What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Self-care means taking care of my body and spirit so that I can keep doing the work supporting my farm partners, staff and community. It means being present to my whole self - not disconnecting from my body and what hurts - and honoring my own well being as much as I honor the soil and the plants and the animals around me. I want to continue to do this work and if I don't take care of myself I won't be able to do so.”
How I might use this $100 self-care award: ”For a massage and also to invest in some soap making supplies so that I can treat myself to homemade herb soaps.”
Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-being as a farmer: "Taking care of my physical body so I can continue to be on the farm. Being on the farm helps dramatically with my mental well being and when I'm in pain or can't be in the sun because of doxycycline, I can still do some farm admin, but I start to get super disconnected from our farm community. That isolation gets to my head, the lack of physical connection with the plants, soil and people on the farm dulls my well being and joy.”
Comments