You just made me smile. Really Big From the Inside Out! That’s Where all the joy is stored you know. This farm has been a ringing in my spirit for years. Seems like everything I’ve done over the last five years was a road of serendipity to my family’s destiny. So for that I say “Thank you for your donation to Phase 1 of the Pressley Farm!”
Growing up, we were forced to work in my pastors affiliate gardens. There wasn’t a regular childhood. It was really structured. Just when we thought we had a relaxing day to lounge and hang around the house, we were sent to our paternal grandfather’s field. I hated it. It was always beans, beans, and corn, then more beans. But we did it. I learned how to sow, harvest, process, and cook. Then we were taught how to preserve, heal, trade, and gift with the gazillion beans. Even then, I did it reluctantly.
Honestly, it wasn’t until I was older that I realized what my wise parents were doing. I began teaching my kids how to grow watermelons, and lemon balm at home and in community gardens. One of my daughters now make specialty teas, rolled herbs and pregnancy treats from produce that she grows with her own hands. They too have grown up in soil , but they love it. But I GOT it! My parents were stocking us up with transferable skills. These skills have helped feed my family in so many ways. Today, I continue teaching urban horticulture to my younger children as well as other co-op home-schooled children. And now I have the opportunity to bring those same life lessons to my community on a grander scale. Pressley Farms will be the platform.
At Pressley Farm, We will specialize in healing herbs and therapeutic workshops. Growing up in a lower income county, I understand how job, and food, insecurity can be the weight that keeps moms from thriving in small communities. I hope to change that by training mothers in urban horticulture and other parallel skills that will assist them in progressing to their highest potential…. as so many others have did for me. Even when I did not see my own potential, they did. So I gotta pay it forward. And I need your help to do so.
I will end here for now. I hope that you will consider becoming a regular patron. Every bit helps in making this seed grow! I’m creating really nice incentives to make it worth your wild. Check back very soon!
Thanks again!
Farmer Pressley
Want to make another donation or share with a friend? Use this Paypal Fundraiser link. ( CLICK HERE!) Thank you!
It was a good night to be in! LOADS of valuable information was shared about saving black pregnant moms. I had the honor of sharing information about Momsrisng and how effective doulas can be during this intense time.
But first things first, please go sign up for updates and action posts from Momsrising.org! I can’t tell you how much I love that organization! Then go sign up for updates for Representative Dr. Alma Adams office. She ‘s like the mom I would want if I didn’t have the wonderful one given to me! SERIOUSLY. Now…….. back to the symposium. It was GREAT! I learned so much. North Carolina and the United States as a whole gotta do better for our black pregnant moms. Rep Adams office did and amazing job putting together a powerhouse of industry and community advocates that shed so much light on these disparities and vile practices.
Representative Alma Adams 5th Annual Women’s Symposium took place at 6:00 PM Thursday, April 16. via Zoom: click image to watch. I’m in there some where.
She and her staff was joined by other Black Maternal Health Caucus Co-Chair, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, as well as Senators Kamala Harris and Cory Booker. I kid you not! Cory Booker even complimented me on my Momsrising t-shirt that I had on! #HowSway right? I truly gained nuggets of value from every panelist and look forward to teaming back up with them in the future if the opportunity arises. But right now, I wanted to offer four ways a doula can help a pregnant mom during COVID-19.
Since many people still don’t know what a doula is, I will explain it. A doula is an unmedically trained birth worker. We exist to make a pregnancy smooth and easy for everyone involved. We provide a wide range of supplemental services before, during and after labor. We are there from preconception to post delivery to answer questions, make connections, help moms find her own voice, and provide customized services that make moms life empowered. If our practice was on a flow chart, It would be right under midwives. Only because we work outside of the labor and delivery room, not legally covered to deliver babies in most states, and in most states, our fees are covered privately.
But most doulas know it’s time to call the dr. when the baby is measuring too small for your pregnacy, (smaller fetal height), too much cramping, bleeding, severe back pain, funky- bloody discharge, little fetal movement in late pregnancy, and possible ongoing fever just to name a few alarms.
To learn more about my birthing services, please click here. The uncertainties of the Coronavirus automatically puts pregnant moms in a high risk category. Which is understandable. Most would also understand how frustrating it could be as well. And that’s my friend where your doula could be a God send for you! Here’s four ways a doula can help RIGHT NOW:
1. Via Video Call – Your Personal Workout Buddy.
A. Your doula can help your prepare your body for delivery. The moves she share will help you get pregant, stay pregnant, ease delivery and assist in getting your body back in shape after delivery.
B. Counseling. Most doulas are moms. Not all are moms or women, but most are. They understand how you are feeling. Even if it’s something she isn’t familiar with she has a listening ear to offer solutions and comfort.
C. How – To’s – Get the best information for your birt of choice! What to putin your diaper bag, Practice how to communicate with the hospital staff, Learn how to wrap your hair,/& belly, how to pick out car seats, and more.
D. Spiritual Health- DISCLOSURE – not all doulas rely on the ways of their African ancestors as a resources, but I do. I sing, I touch, I hmm, and truly connect with my moms to ensure she is confident in her new role as much as possible.
2. Via Phone. – A Caring and Resourceful Voice
2A. Affirmations. You can get affirmation read to you to help start your day or help you get through it.
2B. Verbal Check Ins – You’re quarantined. Your mate will be in your face. You have zero desire to get dressed or much less brush your teeth. Neither do I . Use the magic of voice. Your doula can sense how you’re doing with particular questions and cues. If needed she can make suggestions and referrals to assist you remotely.
3. Via Email/Text- Get It In Writing.
3A.Your doula can send you reminders to workout, help complete your birth plan, remind you to call your boss for paid leave*, assist you in order your exercise ball, etc.
4. Via USPS, General Delivery – Rain, Shine, Sleet or Snow……. it’s Coming To The Do’ (door)!
4A. Let’s all admit it. There’s something exciting about getting mail. Many doulas create/ & sell birthing supplies like bath salts , aroma therapy, herbal blends for lactation and more.
4B. She can have a healthy, non – contact, locally sourced meal delivered to your front door.
As you can see, a doula is loaded with resourcefulness. Some more than others. The key is to ask questions, and be flexible. She wants to help. She’s certified to help and because everyone is quarantined….she’s available to help! Shucks, I’m available- Call me!
Being safe at home has never been more important. Unfortunately, fear— fear for our health and for our families— has motivated the panic buying of firearms, particularly by first-time gun owners.[1][2] But fear-purchasing firearms isn’t a way to safety. In fact, research shows the opposite: Bringing a gun into a home makes the home less safe, and this is particularly true in the current moment when domestic violence is increasing.[3][4][5]
QC Supermom 