SELF CARE FOR FARMERS
Founded in January 2020 by farmer Clara Coleman, Real Farmer Care was created to address a critical yet often overlooked need: the physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing of farmers.
Real Farmer Care's mission is simple and transformative - to support the farmers who sustain our communities by awarding self-care grants that enable them to care for themselves, their families, and the land. By investing in farmer wellness, we strengthen the foundation of our food systems and ensure the long-term sustainability of agriculture.
Past Grant Recipients pictured from Left to Right Top Row: Mary Creveling & Nicole Gilmore (formerly of Silver Seeds Farm); Amber Tamm; Mark & Kristin Kimball of Essex Farm
Bottom Row: Vera Fabian & Gordon Jenkins of Ten Mothers Farm; David & Nneka Williams and family of Sunset Market Gardens; Bil Thorn of Sky Island Farm
Self-care is defined as the practice of actively protecting and improving one’s own wellbeing, particularly during times of stress. For farmers, self-care is often deprioritized due to time constraints, financial limitations, and cultural stigma. Yet the need is urgent. Farmer self-care can look like a delicious dinner with friends and family at a restaurant where their products are served, a family fun day outing, a deep tissue massage for overworked muscles, a gym or yoga membership to build strength and cultivate relaxation, monthly online therapy sessions to process challenging life stressors, or even a new pair of boot insoles to support their tired feet. Chronic pain, emotional exhaustion, and burnout are widespread in farming communities, especially among BIPOC and LGBTQ+ farmers who face systemic inequities and additional barriers to accessing support. Since its inception, Real Farmer Care has awarded self-care microgrants to over 575 farmers across 45 states — with 50% of recipients identifying as BIPOC or LGBTQ+. Meet farmer recipients here, and follow Real Farmer Care on Instagram.
Real Farmer Care’s Self-Care Support Survey underscores the depth of this need:
• Over 70% of farmers cited time poverty and financial stress as barriers to self-care.
• 61.4% requested access to online therapy; nearly half sought mindfulness tools.
• 53% preferred a mix of direct cash awards and wellness programming.
• 58.6% identified as USDA underserved producers, and 42.5% farmed under 20 acres.
These findings reveal that farmers are operating under sustained physical and emotional pressure, often without adequate support systems. They also show a clear desire for holistic, community-based care — from group retreats and peer exchanges to flexible stipends that allow farmers to choose what wellness looks like for them. Importantly, most respondents practice regenerative and organic methods, linking personal wellbeing with environmental stewardship. Supporting farmer wellness is not separate from supporting sustainable, regenerative, and organic agriculture — it is foundational to it.
Real Farmer Care envisions a future where farmer wellness is embedded in the fabric of agricultural support — not as an afterthought, but as a core pillar of resilience. With your support, we can move closer to that vision by expanding access to care, honoring the humanity of farmers, and building a more just and sustainable food system from the ground up.
Please support Real Farmer Care with a donation today. The more we care for our farmers, the more successful they can be at caring for themselves, our communities, and the land.
REAL FARMER CARE IS SUPPORTED BY:
Real Farmer Care is fiscally sponsored by American Farmland Trust, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. Read Press Release about the collaboration.
