Monti Lawson of The Catalyst Collaborative Farm

The 574th recipient is Monti Lawson of The Catalyst Collaborative Farm in Millerton, NY. Monti writes:

What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Self-care and well-being in farming means recognizing that my body and spirit are as integral to the farm ecosystem as the soil I nurture. As a Black and queer farmer, sustainability of self and land are inseparable.  It means honoring both seasonal rhythms and personal limitations—setting boundaries with markets during harvest peaks and scheduling deliberate rest days. Reclaiming time for restoration is itself an act of resistance when my ancestors were denied such privilege. Well-being emerges through community—sharing meals after workdays, exchanging knowledge with fellow farmers, and building mutual aid systems that sustain us when federal support fails. It's celebrating small victories: first harvests, returning pollinators, and subtle soil improvements after years of care.  It's reconnecting with cultural farming practices that colonial agriculture attempted to erase—growing crops my grandparents recognized and developing embodied knowledge to pass forward. My resilience and the land's resilience are fundamentally intertwined.”

How I might use this $250 self-care award: ”I would use this $250 award to create essential distance from the farm during spring planting season when burnout risk peaks. The funds would provide:  1. A weekend farm sitter ($100) to handle all animal care, irrigation, and greenhouse monitoring, completely freeing me from operational concerns. 2. A two-night stay ($150) at Taconic State Park campground—close in distance but mentally worlds away. My partner and I would hike trails and reconnect with nature without seeing it through the lens of endless farm tasks. This intentional pause would allow me to experience nature purely as nourishment rather than responsibility. Stepping away completely, even briefly, would restore my perspective and renew both my relationship with the land and my partner—ultimately making me a more resilient, clear-minded farmer upon return.” 

Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-being as a farmer: "The most vital self-care need I face as a farmer is creating intentional breaks from the land I steward—moments when I can step fully away from the constantly visible task list that farm life presents. Working and living in the same place means that potential work is always visible and mentally consuming, especially during peak seasons. I need periodic complete separation from operational responsibilities—days when someone else handles irrigation decisions, animal care, and monitoring—allowing my mind to truly rest rather than constantly calculating rainfall, growth rates, and harvest schedules. These strategic pauses prevent the burnout that threatens many small-scale farmers, particularly those from marginalized communities who often lack generational support systems and inherited infrastructure. They allow me to return with renewed creativity and perspective. Additionally, I need structured time for peer connection with other farmers who understand the unique challenges of building climate-resilient agriculture while navigating systemic barriers.”

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