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“You wake up every morning to fight the same demons that left you so tired the night before, and that, my love, is bravery.” – Unknown

Planning Your Garden

with Maddie McCann

Introduction to planning your home garden or farm for year-round production of food, herbs, and flowers. We'll discuss best practices, seeds to order, spacing, companion planting, crop rotation and succession planting.

"I wish I had taken this class before I went and spent hundreds of dollars in soil, fertilizer, starts and all things gardening. Let's just say those six tomatoes I grew were sure expensive!" Don’t start your garden this year before attending this workshop! 

When: Friday, February 21, 2025

Where: Veterans Healing Farm, 138 Kimzey Road, Mills River, NC

Time: 1 - 3pm

Day Hike in Pisgah Forest

If you’re interested in learning to recreate safely and sustainably, and make the most of all the wonderful natural resources we have at our fingertips, then please join us on the introductory day hike into Pisgah National Forest. Harrison will be your guide providing interpretive information and recreational knowledge, all while getting to know our fellow veteran community in the beauty of the great outdoors. This is an easy/moderate hike so appropriate for all ages and families. A gear list will be sent out to all participants in advance of the hike.

This hike will be the start of the Veterans Healing Farm's outdoor programs, including future classes in backpacking basics for spring and summer 2025.

About your guide

Harrison is a Marine Corps Veteran serving as a CH-46E/VH-3D crew chief from 2004-2010. He has a degree in Exercise Science from Kennesaw State University, and is a certified Wilderness First Responder. Harrison has over 10 years of experience as an outdoor educator, guide, and facilitator working in programs ranging from backpacking, climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, stand-up paddleboard, and wilderness survival.

When: Saturday, March 8, 2025

Where: Veterans Healing Farm, 138 Kimzey Road, Mills River, NC

Time: 9am - 5pm

Railroad Spike Blacksmithing*

with Jasper Herr

Join us as Blacksmith extraordinaire, Jasper Herr, guides students in forging a knife from a railroad spike. Explore unique twist patterns in the handles and blade designs.

*This class is limited to 6 students only. No exceptions. Students will be handling heavy tools, power grinders, as well as working with a forge reaching temperatures between 2000-3000 F. We will offer this class again.

When: Saturday, March 8, 2025

Where: Veterans Healing Farm, 138 Kimzey Road, Mills River, NC

Time: 9am - 5pm

Seed Starting 101 & Seed Swap

with Maddie McCann

Learn how to start different types of seeds in varying environments. From small scale to large scale. Learn how to use what you have at your home to start your dream garden.

When: Friday, March 21, 2025

Where: Veterans Healing Farm, 138 Kimzey Road, Mills River, NC

Time: 5pm - 7pm

Crushing Stress by Creating Joy!

with Christa Laughter

Crushing Stress by Creating Joy focuses on science, scripture, psychology and holistic wellness. The workshop provides an opportunity for the instructor to define stress and joy through sharing her story. Participants will fill out a self-assessment wheel followed by discussions for strategies to implement joy in daily life and crush stress. Assessment and workbook provided.

Christa Laughter, a proud North Carolina native, holds a BA in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Teaching and is a Certified Christian Life Coach. She was a collegiate athlete, excelling in volleyball and basketball, before serving in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Bragg with multiple overseas deployments. After her military service, Christa transitioned to the defense contracting field, where she has spent over 15 years as an intelligence professional across various military bases. Having faced challenges throughout her life, Christa has developed a deep understanding of perseverance and the power of finding joy. She is passionate about guiding others to discover their own "Joy Shift," a life-changing practice that has transformed her relationships and every aspect of her life.

When: Saturday, March 22, 2025

Where: Veterans Healing Farm, 138 Kimzey Road, Mills River, NC

Time: 10am - noon

Bring Your Garden to the Sun - how to grow just about anything in containers or straw bales with Craig LeHoullier

Rarely does perfect sun exposure, soil and convenient location all come together in one's yard. Craig will describe how use of containers or straw bales will allow you to have a garden in your less-than-perfect-for-a-garden yard. Going well beyond his favorite crop, tomatoes, Craig will describe how to succeed with pretty much any type of vegetable or fruit you wish to grow yourself. If all goes well, Craig will have some seedlings to take home, and answer all of your questions - as well as have his books available to purchase as signed copies

When: Saturday, March 29, 2025

Where: Veterans Healing Farm, 138 Kimzey Road, Mills River, NC

Time: 10am - noon

St. Patrick's Day Game Night at the Farm

Come out and join us for a fun game night at the farm!

When: Saturday, March 15, 2025

Where: Veterans Healing Farm, 138 Kimzey Road, Mills River, NC

Time: 5pm - 7pm

Volunteering at the Farm

There is no required commitment of time, or duties. Come and go as you please, and participate in what you would like to help with (or come and just hang out). Current teams include:

Vegetable Garden Volunteers

The soil needs worked, the weeds need picked, the starts need started, the produce needs picked, washed, and prepared for distribution. Volunteers will learn about the various aspects of organic farming. No prior farming experience necessary.

Grounds Maintenance Volunteers

Grounds maintenance focuses on the overall health of the land. This includes tree and bush trimming, cutting grass, clearing land, pond health, and various landscape projects. No prior experience necessary.

Flower Squad Volunteers

We grow a variety of flowers which are then made into bouquets and distributed at the Charles George VA Medical Center. You will plant, harvest and maintain our beautiful flower gardens. We’ll also have a flower design class for the team. No prior experience necessary.

Medicinal Herb Squad Volunteers

The Medicinal Herb Squad is led by our Plant Medicine Director, Rebecca Vann. Volunteers here will learn to grow the most popular and locally appropriate medicinal herbs, e.g., echinacea, valerian, skullcap, lemon balm, ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh, chamomile, elderberry, and 50+ others. The Squad then harvests the herbs and helps make them into tinctures, teas, balms, and salves used by our Veterans – and volunteers! Rebecca also teaches workshops throughout the summer, at no charge to our members. No prior experience necessary.

Bee Squad Volunteers

The volunteer beekeepers raise and care for our honeybees. They construct and clean hives, induct wild swarms, splitting colonies, mite treatment, collect honey, and ensure the overall health of the hive. No prior bee experience necessary.

Tomato Squad Volunteers

Volunteers will have the opportunity to grow and learn about a wide variety of heirloom tomatoes. No experience necessary!

Back Office Volunteers

There is always plenty of work that doesn’t involve physical labor. We need volunteers to help with the back-end operations of the farm. This is accomplished through our volunteer committees for marketing, social media, events, membership, website development, fundraising, and community outreach. If you have any of these skills, new members are welcome and needed.

Make sure you find the opportunity that suits you best. For more information, please email veteranshealingfarm@gmail.com, subject line - Volunteering.

Unbroken Spirit

2025 Programs are now open!

The Veterans Healing Farm is partnering with Unbroken Spirit to empower you with training, support, and resources to unlock your full potential. Discover how their 3 Phase Transformative Program can help you become your best-self. This Veterans program is completely free.

2025 Programs are open now and space is limited. Apply Today! In-person dates are: 

• May 20-25, 2025
• July 21-27. 2025, Adaptive Sports 
• Sep 16-21, 2025

Check out the videos from our Spring Wilderness Experience team and Summer Adaptive Team. The team came as strangers and left as lifelong friends. For more information or questions, please email info@unbrokenspirit.org.