Sarah Chien of Dirt Dance Farm

The 581st recipient is Sarah Chien of Dirt Dance Farm in Kingston, NY. Sarah writes:

What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “I believe that sustainability and food justice must extend not just to how we treat the earth but also how we treat ourselves and each other. Farming, especially solo, small-business organic veg farming, is a herculean task. It is hard to ask for help and hard to remember to care for oneself when faced with the never ending to-do list of a farm. Self-care can be getting regular bodywork, taking regular rest, being able to step away from the farm for vacation, being in therapy, accepting offers of support from community. Today it is 7am on a Sunday. Sundays are my one day off. I had hoped to rest, but I am awake and the winter squash hasn't yet been planted. So I'm filling out this grant request and heading to the farm. In July, sometimes self-care looks like applying for a self-care stipend and getting back to work.”

How I might use this $100 self-care award: ”My feet hurt all the time. I go through two pairs of a boots a season. I've tried so many kinds. I'm currently wearing old boots because my Blundstones have been worn to holes and I can't afford new ones. I'd like to go to my local shoe store and shop for a new pair to finish the summer and fall.” 

Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-being as a farmer: "Time off and regular massage. Before the federal funding was cut, I worked for National Young Farmers as the co-leader of the Queer Farmer Cohort. We had a small budget for farmer wellbeing and this year we granted that to each of our cohort members as a micro-grant. Mine allowed me to hire my first part-time employee, which is the biggest gift I could have given myself. I wish more grants would help business owners take time away from their work.”

#realfarmercare