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“Healing is a different journey for each of us, even as we

walk the same path together.”― Bhuwan Thapaliya

Our registration system has had a makeover (thank you, Rob)!

This should make it much easier to get registered. Now when you click a link it will take you directly to the login/register page. If you already have an account, PLEASE do not create a new one. We will be cleaning out duplicates in the coming weeks and everything should run a bit smoother. If you have any issues please contact veteranshealingfarm@gmail.com

The Veterans Healing Farm is a VA Telehealth Outpost!

The Veterans Healing Farm's Telehealth station features:

• Private appointment room
• High-speed, reliable internet access
• Technology for a video appointment

This station makes it easier for Veterans to receive the care they need without any barriers by minimizing travel time and alleviating internet connectivity issues. Read the latest article on VA Telehealth here.

For more information on how you can use this service, please email veteranshealingfarm@gmail.com or call 828-595-6111. 

The Veterans Healing Farm’s Women Warriors’ Leadership Luncheon is the largest gathering of female veterans and community leaders in Western North Carolina. Seats are limited and fill up quickly—secure yours today by registering now!

Kitchen Medicine Series 

with Rebecca Vann

Cool your system from the inside out with herbs and foods tailored for the heat of summer. In this class, we will explore cooling herbs, hydrating foods, refreshing beverages, simple electrolyte blends, and supportive lifestyle practices that help regulate heat and maintain balance in hot weather. Participants will leave with a prepared herbal electrolyte formula and a detailed handout of recipes to integrate into their home kitchens.

When: Friday, July 10, 2026

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

Time: 1pm - 4pm

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Jam Making with Patrina Van Sky

Learn how to safely preserve and use all of that great produce from your garden year-round! This hands-on workshop will teach the basics of jam making. You will go home with your jammed creations, as well as the knowledge of how to do it yourself.

When: Saturday, July 11, 2026

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

Time: 10am - 1pm

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Chair Massage

with Massage Therapist Lisa Mayfield BA, LNMT, LMBT

This quick, convenient treatment is perfect for melting away stress.

A chair massage is a short, session focused on relieving tension in the neck, back, shoulders, arms, and hands. Sessions can be 15 or 30 minutes, it uses a specialized ergonomic chair to provide targeted acupressure and Swedish massage techniques.

When: Wednesday, July 15 and August 5, 2026

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

Time: 10am - 3pm

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Floral Design with Maddie McCann

Enjoy a beginner friendly floral design class. Participants will learn the fundamentals of design, mechanics, basic color theory, and the tools needed to make your floral dreams come true. Together we will arrange a seasonally inspired arrangement to take home along with a design kit to help you build future arrangements all on your own.

When: Thursday, July 23, 2026

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

Time: 3pm - 6pm

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Acupuncture

The Daoist Traditions Acupuncture Clinic is located in Asheville NC. Their clinical interns are in the final phase of a rigorous four-year academic program and treat patients under the direct supervision of clinical faculty who are NC licensed acupuncturists. Interns complete 900 hours of clinical training to develop their skills as practitioners. The clinic provides 6,000+ affordable patient treatments each year and 500+ free treatments through non-profit partnerships and community events.Acupuncture has been part of the VA Whole Health System since 2018. It is recognized by the World Health Organization for its benefits for anxiety, depression, musculoskeletal pain, neurological pain, insomnia, stress, and so much more! 

When: Friday, July 24, 2026

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

Time: 9am - 1pm

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Drum Circle with Mark Rabinowitz

Experience how drumming can build community, enhancing well-being and bring joy! No experience needed, just an open mind and wiliness to have fun! Drums will be provided for the workshop! 

When: Saturday, July 25, 2026

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

Time: 1030am - noon

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Chickens, Ducks and Quail for the Homestead*

Learn all about poultry for your farm or homestead. Learn to raise poultry for eggs, meat and more! Instruction and lecture on proper housing and care, feed/foraging, common diseases, at home care, housing, and more! Learn to be self-sufficient with poultry!

When: Saturday, July 25, 2026

Where: *120 Fairwinds Drive, Hendersonville, NC 28791 (homestead located next to Cognitive Cafe on S. Rugby Road)

Time: 930am - 1230

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Tubing with Green River Adventures

Tube the Green River in single or double tubes. Let us handle the gear and logistics, while you enjoy this mellow river with occasional Class II rapids.

This trip meets at our new Riverside Outpost located at 5476 Green River Cove Rd, Saluda, NC 28773. The farm will be running the van to take anyone who doesn't want to drive themselves. We will drop off and pick up at the outpost. Waivers will be sent when reminder emails are sent out to make check in easier.

When: Saturday, August 1, 2026

Where: Veterans Healing Farm, 138 Kimzey Road, Mills River, NC or if you're driving yourself, Riverside Outpost located at 5476 Green River Cove Rd, Saluda, NC 28773

Time: 10am - 4pm (includes travel time)

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Handbuilding Pottery

with Sophia from Dingbat Studios

In this 4 week class, you’ll learn the basics of hand building with clay. Come unwind, learn something new and connect with creativity. 

Designed for beginners and seasoned beginners, you’ll be introduced to some fundamental clay information, techniques and equipment. After some basics, you’ll see a demo on our slab roller. With our clay slabs, we will shape, texture and create projects such as flower frogs and decorative trays. 

Learn how to use underglazes on bisque ware and then create designs with the sgraffito technique. Then with our fired bisque ware, learn to use different glazes to finish off your pieces. 

When: Saturday, August 1, 2026

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

Time: 10am - noon

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Chair Massage

with Massage Therapist Lisa Mayfield BA, LNMT, LMBT

This quick, convenient treatment is perfect for melting away stress.

A chair massage is a short, session focused on relieving tension in the neck, back, shoulders, arms, and hands. Sessions can be 15 or 30 minutes, it uses a specialized ergonomic chair to provide targeted acupressure and Swedish massage techniques.

When: Wednesday, August 5, 2026

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

Time: 10am - 3pm

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Reiki

What is Reiki?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officially recognizes Reiki, classified as an integrative therapy, used to complement—not replace—traditional medical and mental healthcare.

Reiki is a Japanese alternative therapy that promotes stress reduction, relaxation, and healing. It is based on the idea that a "universal life force energy" flows through practitioners to recipients, typically by lightly placing hands on or just above the body to unblock energy pathways. Come have a 15 minute Reiki session at the farm! 

When: Friday, August 7, 2026

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

Time: 11am - 3pm

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Kitchen Medicine Series - Everyday Adaptogens: Vital Nourishment for Modern Stress with Rebecca

Adaptogens and tonic herbs help your body better cope with the physical, emotional, and environmental stress of modern life, rebuilding vitality, energy, stamina, and overall resilience.

In this class, you’ll meet key herbs like Maca, Ashwagandha, and Tulsi, and learn how they support sleep, cognition, nervous system health, and a steadier mood. We’ll focus on food-as-medicine traditions, exploring simple ways to cook with these herbs, plus practical guidance on dosage and preparation. You’ll leave with ideas and recipes for weaving these everyday tonic allies into your daily rhythms. 

When: Friday, August 7, 2026

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

Time: 1pm - 4pm

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Tomato Sauce Canning

with Patrina

Ever wonder what to do with all those beautiful ripe tomatoes in your garden? Come and learn how to turn that bumper crop of tomatoes into a shelf-stable sauce to use all winter. 

When: Saturday, August 8, 2026

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

Time: 10am - 1pm

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Simple & Nourishing Meal Prep: prioritizing your health through affordable, seasonal, and local ingredients

Learn simple and cost-effective meal preparation to nourish your body, and support your local community—all while saving time in the kitchen and reducing food waste! Join holistic chef, Sam Raph, for a demonstrative workshop where she'll cook and guide you through making a week’s worth of meals + snacks with a focus on nourishing, seasonal, and locally-sourced ingredients.

For beginner or seasoned cooks—you'll be provided with grocery lists, easy recipes, and knowledge that make healthy eating both affordable and achievable. Sam will walk you through how to plan meals around what's in season, and also provide adaptations for creating satisfying dishes that fit your lifestyle, food preferences, and budget.

By the end of the class, you'll have had the opportunity to sample/taste all of the dishes and ask questions—leaving with newfound confidence in the kitchen, and the knowledge to continue prepping nourishing meals on your own!

When: Wednesday, August 12, 2026

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

Time: 10am - noon

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Lifestyle Medicine - An Exploration: Carol Whitaker, NBC-HWC, MBA, MSc, PMP.

Lifestyle Medicine is fast becoming the new paradigm in health care - helping thousands break free from the medical mill and the challenges associated with our health insurance / health care system.

Come and learn what it's all about. Explore the science, get cultural myths busted, dispel what you're hearing on social media and get your tough questions answered. 

We'll cover six different areas, enabling you to then make an informed decision about whether Lifestyle Medicine is right for you.

1. Your doctor relationship.

2. The cost of convenience.

3. The calorie conundrum.

4. Bone health.

5. Carb confusion.

6. Protein

Led by Carol Whitaker, AMA Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), and American College of Lifestyle Medicine, certified in Lifestyle Medicine for Health Coaching. You can learn more about Carol here. 

You are encouraged to explore more on this topic prior to attending the workshop, starting with Carol's website. Review her information, jotting down your thoughts/questions, and bring them to the workshop.

When: Friday, August 14, 2026

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

Time: 11am - 2pm

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Beeswax Candle Making

A beeswax candle making workshop is a hands-on crafting class where participants learn to create eco-friendly, natural candles using pure beeswax from local hives 

When: Saturday, August 15, 2026

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

Time: 12pm - 4pm

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Foraging Wild Foods

Many of the volunteer plants in and around our gardens are some of the most nutritious & tasty edibles you can find. Some of the plants we know as “weeds” are actually delicacies in their native regions. Plus they require no effort to grow & can save you lots on grocery bills. 

Come learn the wild edible plants growing at the Veterans Healing Farm. We will identify a dozen common wild edibles that grow freely around the garden and broader landscape. We will explore the culinary & traditional uses of these plants and taste a few in the field. You will think about your “weeds” in a whole new way by the end of this workshop. I look forward to foraging together!

About your guide:

Bryan Bramlett is a forager and permaculturist who leads events on wild food foraging, land stewardship and ecotherapy. He holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology which he fuses with his passion for Earth-care to facilitate therapeutic nature-connection experiences. He has practiced & studied foraging extensively with many top-tier teachers across the country and founded the non-profit Healing Ecosystems in 2016 to encourage wild tending and foraging in the broader community. Healing Ecosystems’ mission is to support ecological & communal health by empowering people to steward their bioregions.

When: Saturday, August 15, 2026

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

Time: 10am - noon

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Ecoprinting with Maddie

Calling all flower and craft lovers! Get ready for a fun class exploring different eco printing techniques on textiles and mixed media. Participants will learn about flower pounding, natural dyeing, and cyanotype printing using VHF flowers. We'll explore proper preparations, good flower choices, and other natural dyes that you can grow in your garden. We'll take a tour of the fields, cut some of our own flowers, and then settle into the creative process of floral textile design. 

When: Friday, August 21, 2026

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

Time: 3pm - 6pm

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

Equine Therapy with Heart of Horse Sense

Join us for a day retreat focused on mental health and healing through the unique bond between veterans and horses. Hosted by Veteran Healing Farm in collaboration with Heart of Horse Sense, this special event offers a full day dedicated to learning, wellness, and self-discovery through equine connections.

Our interactions with horses can mirror the relationships in our lives, including the critical relationship we hold with ourselves. By engaging in this retreat, veterans will have the opportunity to explore these connections deeply. Our trauma-informed approach encourages participants to observe and reflect on horse behavior, gaining valuable insights into personal challenges and strengths."

When: Saturday, August 22, 2026

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

Time: 10am - 4pm

All participants need to register through the Regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **Cancellation within the 72 hour window of the workshop will result in a no-show fee charge.**

Acupuncture

The Daoist Traditions Acupuncture Clinic is located in Asheville NC. Their clinical interns are in the final phase of a rigorous four-year academic program and treat patients under the direct supervision of clinical faculty who are NC licensed acupuncturists. Interns complete 900 hours of clinical training to develop their skills as practitioners. The clinic provides 6,000+ affordable patient treatments each year and 500+ free treatments through non-profit partnerships and community events.Acupuncture has been part of the VA Whole Health System since 2018. It is recognized by the World Health Organization for its benefits for anxiety, depression, musculoskeletal pain, neurological pain, insomnia, stress, and so much more! 

When: Friday, August 28, 2026

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

Time: 9am - 1pm

All participants need to register through the regpack system and pay the $1 system charge. **CANCELLATIONS MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE 72 HOUR WINDOW OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A NO-SHOW FEE**

******AUGUST 30TH STAFF NAPPING DAY******

Veterans Healing Farm’s 10-Minute Playwrighting Contest

The arts offer impactful avenues for Veterans to connect through shared experiences and meaningful dialogue. Recognizing this, the Veterans Healing Farm is launching its inaugural Veterans 10-Minute Playwriting Contest, with selected plays to be presented as staged readings in November 2026, with full productions in 2027.

This contest welcomes submissions from all individuals with a direct military connection, including active-duty personnel, reservists, National Guard members, Veterans, and their immediate family.

Play themes should directly address military service and/or its impact on communities. The contest and culminating festival aim to honor and celebrate those who have served and continue to serve. We seek diverse voices exploring both the difficulties and the positive contributions of Veterans within our community.

Veterans Day 5k - Registration Now Open!

We are excited to announce the First Annual Veterans Healing Farm 5K and Kids Fun Run, taking place on November 8, 2026. This special event for Veterans Day with bring our community together to support the Veterans Healing Farm, a place dedicated to healing, connection, and growth for our nation’s veterans, and their families.

Whether you’re an avid runner, a local business or someone who simply wants to give back, there are several ways to get involved:

🏃 Participate

Join us on race day! The 5K and Kids Fun Run are designed for all ages and fitness levels. Come out, get active, and show your support. Walkers are absolutely welcome and what I’ll be doing myself!

🤝 Become a Sponsor

We offer multiple sponsorship levels – Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Sterling, each with unique opportunities to promote your business while supporting a powerful cause. Sponsors receive benefits such as logo placement on race materials, event day presence, and complimentary race entries.

📣 Support the Event

Even if running isn’t your thing, we would love to have you come out, cheer on participants, and help us create an uplifting, community-driven experience.

Your involvement directly supports programs that provide veterans and their families with therapeutic farming, wellness activities, and a strong sense of community.

 Important Deadlines:

August 1, 2026 – Deadline to be included in printed marketing materials

September 1, 2026 – Final deadline for all sponsorship commitments

If you’re interested in sponsoring, participating, or learning more, we would love to connect with you.

Thank you for helping us make this inaugural event a meaningful success. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

Warm regards,

Alan Yeck

director@veteranshealingfarm.org

828-595-6111

VR Headsets Now Available at the Farm

Virtual reality (VR) headsets are increasingly being used as therapeutic tools to support veterans dealing with both physical pain and mental health challenges. By immersing users in controlled, interactive digital environments, VR creates a powerful sense of presence that can shift attention, regulate emotional responses, and even retrain how the brain processes pain and trauma.

For pain management, VR works largely through distraction and sensory engagement. Veterans experiencing chronic pain—whether from combat injuries, surgeries, or long-term conditions—can be transported into calming or engaging virtual worlds, such as peaceful landscapes or interactive games. This immersion reduces the brain’s focus on pain signals, often lowering perceived pain levels without medication. 

In terms of mental health, VR has shown particular promise in treating conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. One common approach is exposure therapy, where veterans are gradually reintroduced to trauma-related scenarios in a safe, controlled virtual setting. This allows them to process traumatic memories with the guidance of a therapist, helping reduce avoidance behaviors and emotional distress over time. VR can also simulate social environments to help veterans rebuild confidence and social skills, especially for those struggling with isolation.

While VR is not a replacement for conventional care, it serves as a powerful complement to existing treatments. As technology advances and becomes more affordable, its role in veteran healthcare is expected to grow, offering innovative ways to address complex physical and psychological challenges with empathy, precision, and engagement.

Please call 828-595-6111 to schedule a session.

Admin Updates



First Time Registering? Our registration system has had a makeover (thank you, Rob)! This should make it a LOT easier to get registered. Now when you click a link it will take you directly to the login/register page. If you already have an account, PLEASE do not create a new one. We will be cleaning out duplicates in the coming weeks and everything should run a bit smoother. If you have any issues please contact veteranshealingfarm@gmail.com

Cost: Each workshop is $1 (system processing fee). If you haven't paid this fee, you are not registered.

No-Show Policy: If you do not cancel at least 72 hours before the workshop, a $20 no-show fee will apply. This policy ensures that those on the waitlist have time to adjust their plans. Thank you for helping us make workshops more accessible and efficient for everyone!

Flower Harvesting Crew every Tuesday evening 4p-6p **NEW**

Saturday Garden Group days August 8th and Aug 22nd **NEW**

Normal volunteering -

• Wednesdays Garden Group with Maddie 9-12
• Friday Herb Squad with Rebecca 10-2