WHERE THERE’S DIRT, THERE IS HEALING PART 2
Image Source: Tim Grutzius
"Gardening is the greatest tonic and therapy a human being can have. Even if you have only a tiny piece of earth, you can create something beautiful, which we all have a great need for. If we begin by respecting plants, it's inevitable we'll respect people." – Audrey Hepburn.
Author's note: On September 3rd, 2022, I published a post titled "Where There's Dirt, There is Healing. The subject concerned the yoga fundraiser I led to benefit the Veteran's Healing Farm in Hendersonville, North Carolina. In this post, I will re-share some of that content along with an update concerning the farm.
Air Force Veteran John Mahshie founded the VHF in 2013 to build a community for fellow veterans transitioning from servicemember to civilian. He noted that the military had a clearly defined mission not often found in the civilian world. Many vets returning home from active duty deployments lose their way while struggling with mental health issues such as PTSD and suicidal ideation. The VHF creates a purpose for returning vets by teaching them sustainable farming methods. In other words, they get to play and heal in the dirt.
To build a strong community, the VHF offers monthly activities such as picnics, band nights, write-your-own stories, herbal remedy workshops, an annual Veteran's Resource Fair, opportunities to assist with training service dogs, a wellness retreat and equine therapy, to name a few. The connection with Mother Earth through farming provides a chance to be in the moment and discover a path to healing. Most recently, the VHF hosted a delegation from Ukraine whose members learned about the farm's mission to share these practices with the soldiers of their military community.
In January of this year, Executive Director Alan Yeck and Farm Administrator Megan Landreth learned that the retiring property owner was not renewing the VHF lease, and they would have to vacate the property in August. In interviews, Yeck and Landreth stated that the VHF has outgrown the current location, and the pair are looking to purchase land large enough to accommodate an indoor teaching facility, garden space, and visitor and event parking. This vision will cost several million dollars, and Yeck is looking for both "small and big" angel investors to assist the farm in continuing to serve the military community.
As an Army veteran and retired first responder, I can attest to the camaraderie and healing that the VHF offers. I have attended the resource fair and a suicide awareness workshop, worked with the service dogs from Warrior Canine Connection, and participated in the wellness retreat last year. The Veterans Healing Farm has become essential to my life since I moved to Western North Carolina several years ago.
If you want to support the military and veteran community, please consider donating to this worthy non-profit. If you know of any land opportunities that would be ideal for the VHF to continue its mission, please contact them through their website. In this post, I have included videos and interviews that outline the future of the Veterans Healing Farm. Until next time -
Namaste,
Tim
Veterans Healing Farm Website
https://www.veteranshealingfarm.org/
Farm Relocation
Al Yeck Interview with Local Focus
https://www.wtzq.com/episode/3-12-24-veterans-healing-farm/
Ukranian Delegation Visits the VHF