WHY FARMER CARE MATTERS:

What self-care means for farmers—

Farming is one of the hardest jobs in the world. It demands everything — physically, emotionally, financially — and offers little room to stop, rest, or ask for help. The people who grow our food are often the last ones to receive care themselves.

For farmers, self-care is rarely a priority — and almost never easy. Time constraints, financial pressure, and cultural stigma push it to the bottom of a very long list. Yet the need is urgent and the stakes are high. Self-care looks different for every farmer. For some, it's a deep tissue massage for muscles worn down by years of physical labor. For others, it's a gym or yoga membership, monthly therapy sessions, a family outing, or simply a new pair of boot insoles for tired feet. Real Farmer Care believes every farmer deserves to define what care looks like for them — and to actually receive it.

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The scale of the problem—

Chronic pain, emotional exhaustion, and burnout are widespread across farming communities. BIPOC and LGBTQ+ farmers face these pressures with the added weight of systemic inequities and greater barriers to support — which is why equity is central to everything Real Farmer Care does.

Since 2020, we have awarded self-care grants to over 600 farmers across 45 states. Fifty percent of recipients identify as BIPOC or LGBTQ+. Meet the farmers we've supported → and follow our work on Instagram.

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Survey data—

Real Farmer Care's Self-Care Support Survey asks farmers directly what they need. Their responses confirm what we already know — and make the case for doing more.

• 83% cited time poverty and financial stress as their biggest barriers to self-care

• 100% highlighted an ongoing need for body repair care services such as therapeutic massage and chiropractic care

• 54% requested access to online or in-person therapy and farmer retreats; nearly half sought mindfulness tools

• 69% preferred a combination of direct cash awards and wellness programming

• 66% identified as USDA underserved producers; 66% farm 20 acres or fewer

What the data means—

These findings tell a consistent story: farmers are operating under sustained physical and emotional pressure, often without the support systems they need. They want holistic, community-based care — group retreats, peer connection, and flexible stipends that let each farmer define wellness on their own terms.

There's something else worth noting: most survey respondents farm regeneratively or organically. That's not a coincidence. Farmers who care deeply for the land tend to be the same farmers most committed to doing this work long-term — which means investing in their wellbeing is also an investment in the future of sustainable agriculture. Farmer wellness and land health are inseparable.

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Real Farmer Care envisions a future where farmer wellness is a core pillar of agricultural support — not an afterthought. With your support, we can expand access to care, honor the humanity of the people who grow our food, and help build a more just and sustainable food system from the ground up.

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Support Real Farmer Care with a donation today. ​

When we care for farmers, farmers can care for all of us.

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REAL FARMER CARE IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:​

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