Still Rise Farms: Where Wellness is Their Main Crop
Transcript translated into a narrative by Jasper | Edited by Jasmine Dionne Souers
Dr. Monique Gary, affectionately known as 'Dr. Mo,' is doing a new thing as the visionary force behind Still Rise Farms. The multifaceted breast surgeon, educator, and advocate for wellness is democratizing personalized and integrative wellness on a 39-acre (let's just call it 40) farm in Perkasie, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Monique Gary at Still Rise Farms.
Growing up in inner-city Philadelphia, Dr. Mo's connection to nature wasn't a given—it was a precious gift, carved out through humble experiences and the compassionate guidance of her grandfather. Her grandfather's love for the outdoors, she says with fondness, became her root to the natural world. "He would drive down to the riverside... and taught me all about fishing," she shares. "He even got me a special left-handed [fishing pole]."
Despite the bustle of city life, Dr. Mo found solace in the serenity of nature, drawing leaves she discovered on walks in a black and white book and reminiscing on the single carrot she and her older sister grew in their garden. Through a combination of life-experiences and training, she realized she was more of a "farm girl" than she originally thought.
Not Your Average Farm
Still Rise Farms is not your conventional farm; while it cultivates crops, its true yield is far more nourishing — the harvest of wellness. The idea was inspired by Dr. Mo's intimate interactions with cancer patients' inquiries about holistic healing and integrative health. Patients sought more than medical diagnoses; they sought guidance on living well through adversity. "So what do I need to do? Are there foods I should avoid? What should I do about sleep?” were common questions she received.
Research and patient needs drove Dr. Mo to consider food as more than nutrition; it is medicine that must be combined with a healthy mindset. Still Rise Farms is where trust is rekindled, particularly in communities that have historically been overlooked, and where wellness is experienced and personalized.
The farm's philosophy breaks free from the prescriptive nature of traditional healthcare and dismisses the one-size-fits-all solution often portrayed across social media platforms. As Dr. Mo insightfully observes, "It's a full-on experiment to figure out what works for you, what feels good to you." Whether it’s through forest bathing, gardening, or various types of yoga, Still Rise Farms provides a welcoming environment to experiment with different approaches to healing.
The farm's emerging outdoor classroom symbolizes a place for education and transformation, rather than merely growing food. Assembled activities — ranging from ecotherapy and aquaponics to trauma healing practices and breathwork — invite individuals to discover the therapeutic practices that resonate personally, fostering long-term lifestyle changes.
A Place Everyone Can Rise Again
Dr. Mo aspires to cultivate a place where "whether you're a country girl, whether you're a city slicker, whatever it is, there's something about it that calls to you and tries to reconnect you both to the land, to yourself."
At Still Rise Farms wellness is not a privilege but a right available to all. The farm extends its hands generously, touching hearts across various communities; it's a space that redefines accessibility to wellness.
Dr. Mo delves deeper into her philosophy: "If I'm having events, I'm making sure folks can get in the room. Like, we're gonna make sure that this experience and that wellness is available and accessible to all." Through thoughtful outreach and deliberate inclusiveness, the farm breaks down barriers, ensuring that those who seek wellness find no doors closed to them.
She underscores the significant role that partnerships play in accomplishing the mission of Still Rise Farms. "I've been very fortunate to partner with Unite for Her because we're very much aligned in our mission," Dr. Mo explains with gratitude. The synergy between Still Rise Farms and their partners produces not only events, such as the first wellness day when Fight Through Flights contributed to the cause, but also knowledge sharing and mutual support in service of a common goal. For Dr. Mo, these relationships are essential for integrating wellness services seamlessly into a person's wellness journey rather than as an afterthought.
A Harvest Worth Having
This pursuit of holistic healing is perfectly captured by the farm’s essence, as explained by Dr. Mo: "The farm is called Still Rise Farms because... it's a place where you can be still so you can get back up again." Here, amid the serenity of nature, individuals are given the chance to rise again, to heal, innovate, and ultimately transform their lives with integrative wellness at the helm.
Emphasizing its purpose, she reflects, "If the only seed we ever plant, the only thing that ever grows is wellness. That's a harvest worth having."
To learn more Still Rise Farms visit stillrisefarms.com and be sure to support their latest endeavor, a community garden and gathering space.
