REAL FARMER CARE - Care is love in action. Support self-care programs for farmers.

The 619th recipient is Michael Guebert of Terra Farma in Corbett, OR. Michael writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “As a small scale rancher, self care and well being are critically important in order to maintain ones mental health and keep a positive outlook. Being responsible for so many lives can be rewarding when times are good, but times aren't always good. Dealing with animal health issues, increasing prices, ever-changing consumer demand, marke

The 618th recipient is Sarah Lang of Conundrum Farm in Kent, CT. Sarah writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “It means taking time to get off the farm, both physically and mentally. To step away from the endless to-do list and financial stress, and just be. To find balance. Going for a hike, or out to eat, or just to spend time sitting down calling my Grandma all help balance out the work load.” How I might use this $100 self-care award: ”I would have

The 617th recipient is Michael Ford of Mountain Brook Ranch in Clovis, CA. Michael writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Taking care of emotional wellbeing and navigating isolation.” How I might use this $100 self-care award: ”I will be able to get a portable camp chair, knee pads, and a foam roller.”  Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-being as a farmer: "Mental heath and isolation resources.” #realfarmercare

The 616th recipient is Aimee Fernandes of Fernandes Farm in Berkley, MA. Aimee writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Self and well being care means to me mental and physical health. Long hours, hard decision and the future of the farm in your hands is a lot to carry everyday. Self-care to me might be a new pair of boots or gloves that will help me while I work. Chiropractic and massage care is also important for the body when you are stressing it in w

The 615th recipient is Jessica Hossfeld of Inner Peace Holistic Farm in Rochester, NH. Jessica writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Being able to have a break from the routine so I can think clearly and peacefully.” How I might use this $100 self-care award: ”I have many thoughts, but either body work like massage or maybe hiring a friend to do am chores so I can sleep in or attempt to.”  Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-bein

The 614th recipient is Loudon Ford Waterstrat of Sustainable Harvest Farm in London, KY. Loudon writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Being self employed as a farmer is an extremely challenging yet rewarding career. As a first generation farmer that started with nothing I've hit rock bottom twice in my career. Fortunately, I'm fortunate to have a great support group that encourages me to not work 24/7. However, that's pretty tough not to do. But I'm g

The 613th recipient is Ryan Moore of First Frost Farm in Nibley, UT. Ryan writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Having a day off to go for a hike or bike ride with the kiddos!” How I might use this $100 self-care award: ”A way to pay an employee in order to have a day off, or maybe even a massage.”  Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-being as a farmer: "Relax time. Rest. Time for a personal project (off farm).” #realfarmercare

The 612th recipient is Camille Abdel-Nabi of Long Lane Farm in Warren, RI. Camille writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “In relation to farming, a self care activity is anything that helps to ease the high level of stress that comes from being a farm owner. We are welcoming a baby girl into our farm family this November and I have been focusing on reducing my stress load so that I can be in the best place to welcome my daughter into the world.” How I

The 611th recipient is Anne Richmond of Nordica Street Community Farm in Springfield, MA. Anne writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Self-care means being able to take care of your body and spirit when it hurts, and to have the time, resources and the support to take care of yourself so you don’t get injured. For me, well-being means being relaxed and at peace with how things are on the farm, and not being stressed by the challenges we increasingly fa

The 610th recipient is Nick Riggin of Riggin Farm in Talking Rock, GA. Nick writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Self-care in farming means giving the farmer the same care we give the crops and animals. It’s pausing long enough to breathe in the pasture air, eating a meal we grew ourselves, or watching the sunset with no tools in hand. Those small moments keep my body strong, my mind clear, and my spirit ready to keep feeding my community. Just like

The 609th recipient is Carolyn Whipple Fraser of Whipple Bee Flower Farm in Marblehead, MA. Carolyn writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Taking care of your body and mind - mindfulness, yoga, massage, etc. Listening to self and your needs,, taking a pause when needed.” How I might use this $100 self-care award: ”Massage, and meditation practice at a local center.”  Most important self-care needs that contribute to my well-being as a farmer: "Letting

The 608th recipient is Nicholas Williams of Black Futures Farm in Portland, OR. Nicholas writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Self care means connecting with the land so that it can replenish you and you can tend to its needs. A reciprocal process where you also learn that replenishing yourself through self care provides abundance to self and the ecosystem you reside in.” How I might use this $100 self-care award: ”Massage services.”  Most important

The 607th recipient is Jasmine Barber of Pharm to Body in Portland, OR. Jasmine writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Self care means taking care of your body, mind and spirit. It is taking intentional time to rest and reflect.  It is taking time to nourish yourself and do the things that make you feel replenished. Self care is doing the things that bring you joy and feed parts of your soul. In farming we use our whole body and it is a tool of our wor

The 606th recipient is Kyle Santoro of Pitney Meadows Community Farm in Saratoga Springs, NY. Kyle writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “The farming season is long, hot and laborious. The body goes through many rigorous ups and downs throughout the season. Self care can come in many forms to people, for myself it is mainly physical body care, which could be massage, acupuncture, sound healing, float tank, etc. I also emphasize the importance of attend

The 605th recipient is Julie Young of Well By Nature Farm in Lafayette, GA. Julie writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Self-care includes the actions we take as farmers and ranchers in order to keep our minds and bodies healthy and resilient for the demanding career of agriculture. Self-care can be as simple as carving out one hour a month to let tired, overworked muscles fully relax for a massage or yoga class. Self-care could also be hiring a farm

The 604th recipient is Dennise Mofidi of Pharm to Body in Portland, OR. Dennise writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Self-care and well-being in the context of farming means maintaining a sustainable relationship with the land, animals, and community without sacrificing your own physical, emotional, and mental health. It’s about recognizing that the work is demanding and often isolating, so it’s essential to intentionally carve out space to rest, eat

The 603rd recipient is Pia Tomasello of Upper Hand Farm in Beverly, MA. Pia writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “Having the ability to slow down when I need to. Farmer is so demanding and non-stop. There is never enough time to do everything that needs to get done and be able to let things go or get away from me or not be perfect is hard. So having the time to slow things down wether that’s asking for help from family or friends, letting a row of rad

The 602nd recipient is Dandan Zhu of Anavery Fine Foods in Traverse City, MI. Dandan writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “To me, self-care and well-being in farming mean making intentional space to care for my body, mind, and spirit so I can continue showing up fully for my land, animals, and community. Farming and ranching demand everything from us—physically, emotionally, and mentally. It’s not a job you clock out of. The work is beautiful but unre

The 601st recipient is Timothy Fullen of Down to the Dirt Farm in Beverly, MA. Timothy writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “It means staying conscious of my personal needs during the season (especially August!) and making sure to do things that restore my energy. It’s so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of harvest that I burn out sooner than I’d prefer.” How I might use this $100 self-care award: ”Massage, definitely a massage.”  Most important

The 600th recipient is Sadie Burgher of Liberty Farms in Ghent, NY. Sadie writes: What self-care and well-being mean to me as a farmer: “When I first began vegetable farming in 2024, I quickly realized how important taking care of my body would be in order to make it through the season while truly enjoying my work. I learned that self care required the discipline and preparation of going to bed early, planning and cooking nutritious meals, ensuring I had time to stretch and