Tokie Morgan

How Caring for the Land Starts with Caring for the Self

At Southern Sunny Acres, farming is a calling rooted in legacy, health, and healing for Tokie Morgan, who co-owns the Veteran family-run farm with her husband, Ty. The days begin early and end late, filled with the physically demanding work of raising pasture-based livestock and tending to the land. But Tokie knows that in order to keep showing up for her farm and her community, she has to take care of herself, too.

For me, farming is a demanding trade that requires a lot of mental and physical exertion every single day, Tokie says. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut of self-doubt, joylessness, and constant worry.

- Tokie Morgan

Southern Sunny Acres was established in 2021 with a clear mission: to provide the East Texas community with nutritious pasture-raised meat. The farm’s name honors Tokie and Ty’s grandparents’ Nebraska farm, Sunny Acres, where fresh vegetables were sold at the local farmers market each weekend. “Getting to experience farm-fresh produce and providing it to the local community struck a passion in our young hearts to do the same,” Tokie reflected.

But even with deep-rooted passion, farming can be isolating and unforgiving. “I often find myself in the busyness of the farm day jumping from chore to chore, because there never seems to be enough hours in a day,” Tokie says. “I get caught up in all the ‘must happen today’ and not enough time to make it happen, that I often forget to take time to stop, breathe, smell the roses, and just chill.”

That’s why the Real Farmer Care self-care grant means so much. Tokie plans to use the funds for chiropractic care, something she says helps her feel physically and mentally aligned. “I’m not as young as I used to be,” she laughs. “With all the physical demands of the farm, I’ve found that I don’t always remember to lift properly, and when rushing, it’s easy to just muscle through. Going to the chiropractor helps keep me in alignment, makes me feel better, and my muscles don’t feel as strained, so I can continue to work on the farm.”

“If I don’t take care of myself — physically, mentally, and spiritually — I won’t last long in the farming profession,” she went on to say. “Growing, tending to, and raising food is not an easy endeavor at all. It can take its toll quickly if I don’t pause each day to remember that if I’m not at my best, then my community doesn’t get the best of my farm.”

For Tokie, the commitment to nourish others starts with nourishment at home. A warm shower, a moment of stillness, or a quiet sunrise can make all the difference.

Even the small things can help us stay grounded in this work.