Real Farmer Care

Founded by Clara Coleman of Four Season Farm, Real Farmer Care’s founding mission is to support farmer’s self-care needs and allocate donated funds directly to farmers.

Self-care activities are inexpensive, but rarely prioritized. Farmer self-care looks like treating themselves to a delicious dinner at one of the restaurants where they supply local products, a deep tissue massage for their overworked muscles, a family fun day outing, a date night with their partner while their kids have a babysitter, or even a new pair of boot insoles for their tired feet.

We recognize that BIPOC farmers (Black, Indigenous, People Of Color) are disproportionately impacted in access to land, education and capital by systemic racism. On top of all of the common challenges that exist in farming, this means that BIPOC growers face substantial additional hurdles that impact their everyday wellness and livelihood. Therefore, making space to center and prioritize their needs in the Real Farmer Care project is paramount. Through 2023, fifty percent of Real Farmer Care grant recipients have been BIPOC farmers.

The more we care for our farmers, the more successful they can be at caring for themselves, our communities, and the land. Please support Real Farmer Care with a donation today.

Recipients pictured from Left to Right Top Row: Mary Creveling & Nicole Gilmore of Silver Seeds Farm @silver_seeds_farm; Amber Tamm; Mark & Kristin Kimball of Essex Farm @essexfarmcsa Bottom Row: Vera Fabian & Gordon Jenkins of Ten Mothers Farm @tenmothersfarm; David & Nneka Williams of Sunset Market Gardens @sunsetmarketgardens; Bil Thorn of Sky Island Farm @skyislandfarm

To learn more and meet farmer recipients, visit RealFarmerCare on Instagram and Facebook.

Real Farmer Care is now operated in collaboration between Clara and American Farmland Trust as a project of American Farmland Trust.