Rachel Pretlow
Farmer
“I make the choice every day to be optimistic…I choose to channel the power I have for the benefit of all of us. I have experienced that wherever I put my attention, that is where energy flows.”
photo by Luke Witt
Nominated by Autism Society of Central VA and FreeHorse Arts.
What organizations and programs are you involved with in the Richmond community?
“I am involved with Autism Society of Central Virginia and FreeHorse Arts.”
Are you employed or in school? If yes, where?
“I work as a farming apprentice at Perennial Roots Farm in Accomac, VA.”
How are you capable – what things do you do best?
“I start each day with gratitude. When I feel myself allowing discouragement to take hold, I transform that energy by expressing how God blesses me. I see beauty everywhere.
I live with the knowing that everyone is interconnected. This manifests in my life in many ways. I farm because I accepted my purpose to feed communities with nourishing food and act as a steward to Mother Earth. I shine my light wherever I go and make an effort to allow people to know that I see them and care. I listen to and respect my needs. I prioritize self-care, knowing that I need to be at my best in order to create the reality that I want to see in our world.”
What do you want people to know about you?
“I make the choice every day to be optimistic. I recognize the challenges that we face as a world. I recognize the challenges that I experience daily. I choose to channel the power I have for the benefit of all of us. I have experienced that wherever I put my attention, that is where energy flows. So I pay attention to that which uplifts me.”
If you could plan the perfect day, where would you go?
“I would hike in the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico with two of my friends I met while living in Albuquerque. We would backpack for several miles and then camp by the wild Gila River. In the evening, we would light a fire and sit around telling stories and singing songs in praise of Earth’s magnificence. Then we would gaze silently into the Cosmos.”
What do you like best about living in the Richmond area?
“I appreciate the arts and culture of Richmond. I love that there are restaurants with delicious vegan food. I feel inspired that Richmond has a population that is engaged in positive social change. This is also the first place where I encountered a Black Farmers Market. I am happy to know that this space exists for Black creators and the community.”
What goals do you have for the future?
“I am committed to restoring my mother’s family land in Freeman, VA. This is the main impetus for me moving back to Virginia from New Mexico. I want to connect with my ancestors, rebuild the soil, and plant a food forest that will thrive many generations from now.
I want to learn Tutelo-Saponi, one of my ancestral languages. I believe it is essential to preserve and revive indigenous languages because languages represent worldviews. We need diverse worldviews to navigate the challenges we face collectively.
I would also like to publish a work of my creative writings.”