Farming as Caregiving: Cultivating Health Through Intentional Practices

As I set my intentions for this year I keep coming back to the idea that farming is a form of Caregiving.  Care is derived from the Old English word “caru” meaning “serious mental attention” or “sorrow.”  Giver is derived from the Old English word “giefan” meaning “to bestow or present”.  Embedded in this are the practices of discipline, hospitality, patience, and husbandry. Dig further and it evokes such ideas as tending, nurturing, feeding, patience, keen observation, welcoming, warmth, cleaning, feeding, maintaining. How beautiful!

So, with all that in mind the calendar is set with more care and intention this year.  We continue to tend the bees, our plants, our goats and cattle.  We will continue to blend our herbal teas, simmer our elderberry and other syrups and provide quality herbal products.  In a word we are still focused on #growing good health and making it available to you. 

New this year is an intentional calendar of events designed to give you a taste of the work we do here at the Farm. Harvest Days for key herbs are set. Medicine Making in the field.  Mastering the Art of Tea Blending. Each season I will highlight a specific caregiving modality, Explore the plants and get to know their specific gifts. Tend them through seeding through their radicle first growth to full bloom in the field.

Herb garden thriving with bees and flowers, symbolizing caregiving in farming

Farming as an Act of Care

Farming requires more than just planting seeds and harvesting crops. It involves discipline, hospitality, patience, and husbandry. These qualities reflect caregiving in many ways:

• Discipline means tending to plants and animals regularly, even when it’s hard or inconvenient.

• Hospitality shows in welcoming beneficial insects, nurturing soil life, and creating a healthy environment.

• Patience is essential as growth takes time, and nature follows its own rhythms.

• Husbandry involves managing resources wisely to maintain balance and health.

  
  

This approach encourages us to observe closely, respond thoughtfully, and maintain warmth and welcome in the farm ecosystem.

Tending Plants and Animals with Intention

This year, the farm calendar is designed with care and intention. We continue to tend to our bees, goats, cattle, and plants with focused attention. Each requires specific care:

• Bees need safe habitats and diverse flowers to thrive. Their health supports pollination and biodiversity.

• Goats and cattle require proper feeding, shelter, and gentle handling to stay healthy.

• Plants need nurturing from seed to bloom, including soil care, watering, and protection from pests.

  
  

By caring for these living beings, we create a cycle of health that benefits the farm and the community.

Growing Good Health Through Herbal Products

Our work extends beyond the farm to creating quality herbal products. We blend herbal teas, simmer elderberry syrups, and craft other remedies that support wellness. These products reflect the care we put into growing and harvesting plants. Each batch is made with attention to detail and respect for the plants’ gifts.

This year, we are excited to share more about this process with you through a new calendar of events.

Sharing the Caregiving Experience

We want to invite you to experience caregiving on the farm firsthand. Our new event calendar includes:

• Harvest Days for key herbs, where you can join us in gathering plants at their peak.

• Medicine Making in the Field, offering hands-on learning about preparing herbal remedies.

• Mastering the Art of Tea Blending, where you can explore flavors and benefits of different herbs.

  
  

Each season will highlight a specific caregiving modality. You will get to know plants deeply, from their first growth to full bloom, and learn how to care for them with intention.

The Gifts of Plants and the Care They Need

Plants offer unique gifts that require specific care:

• Some herbs need shade and moisture, while others thrive in full sun and dry soil.

• Timing is critical: harvesting at the right moment preserves potency and flavor.

• Observing plant health helps catch problems early, whether pests or nutrient deficiencies.

  
  

By learning these details, we deepen our connection to the natural world and improve the quality of what we grow.

Building a Community Around Care

Farming as caregiving is not just about individual effort. It’s about building a community that values health, patience, and respect for nature. Our events and products aim to connect people with these values. When you join us, you become part of a shared journey toward growing good health.

Moving Forward with Care and Intention

This year, the farm is a place of learning, sharing, and growing together. We invite you to join us a little or a lot as we explore caregiving through farming. Whether you come for a single event or follow the seasons, you will see how care shapes every part of our work.

By focusing on caregiving, we cultivate more than plants and animals. We cultivate health, connection, and a deeper respect for the earth.