Real Farmer Care: Permission to Pause

In this episode, Merle talks with Clara Coleman, founder of Real Farmer Care, about something most farmers struggle with: taking care of themselves.. Coleman experienced burnout herself on a well-established family farm, and realized that grit and long hours weren't enough to sustain her or the people around her. From there, she tried something simple but powerful. She began crowdsourcing donations and sending farmers small, no-strings-attached cash for self-care. "Use this to take care of yourself," she'd say, mailing $100 gift cards to farmers across the continent.  Those gift cards have gone toward everything from massage and new boots, to therapy, a hammock, date nights, or even just a night off the farm. While self-care can still feel uncomfortable or even unnecessary to some, Coleman believes that shame and stubbornness often keep people pushing until they reach a breaking point. Real Farmer Care challenges that mindset by offering farmers permission to rest—something she sees as essential if we want people to continue caring for the land and their communities. We love hearing your ideas, comments, and stories. Get in touch with Merle by sending your e-mail or audio message to [email protected].