The 305th recipient is Sara Martin of Sustainabillies @sustainabillies in Canton, NC. Sara writes:
What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “My husband and I work long hard days growing enough food to participate in 2 farmers markets, supply 2 restaurants and a bakery, and have 25 CSA boxes that run for 20 weeks during peak season. We also supply food to a local charity that feeds the hungry. We do this year-round despite the weather. We have 6 greenhouses and also have a blacksmith shop. We have to take care of our bodies in order to do this level of work at 45 years old. We recently had a major disaster on our farm, losing half of our growing space to a landslide. We are having to maximize our remaining farm. This has made taking care of our emotional selves important as well. We are trying to prioritize family and healing time while still paying our bills and rebuilding our farm.”
How I might use this $100 self-care award: “We will use the award to pay for our acupuncture appointment that we have monthly that helps to heal our muscles and minds.”
Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-being as a farmer: “Having time to rest. Making sure that you can pay the bills is physically and emotionally exhausting. Getting time to just check out and not think about farming is so incredibly valuable. Whether it is going to dinner or getting a massage, being able to focus on yourself is something that farmers get to do so infrequently.”
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