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A retired U.S. Army Veteran and their family have pledged a match up to $50,000 to help the Veterans Healing Farm relocate.

This means that every donation you make will have double the impact. Donate $100 and they will match it so it becomes a $200 donation. Donate $1000 and they will match it so it becomes a $2,000 donation, up to $50,000! You can make your donation to be matched here. Or if you're mailing a check, 38 Yale Road, Hendersonville, NC 28739, please note on it "MATCHING donation."

We are humbly, gratefully asking individuals, organizations, companies, foundations, and angel investors to please invest in our Veterans. Please donate deeply, and ask your family, friends, workmates, church groups, employers, etc., to please do the same.

We were recently informed that the landowner is retiring and will not be renewing our lease. The Veterans Healing Farm must vacate our current location by this August, 2024. We will continue our normal programs of therapies, therapeutic workshops, and events but will only plant one time because of the August deadline. Produce (agritherapy program) will continue to be donated to our Veterans at the Charles George VA Medical Center, Veterans Restoration Quarters, IAM Food Pantry, Safelight Women's Shelter, the Rescue Mission, the Storehouse, and other organizations in need.

We will raise $3 million dollars to support the purchase of property, to rebuild, replant, and continue our mission of enhancing the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of our nation's Veterans and their families. The new facility will include indoor classrooms, visiting therapists space, full kitchen, Veteran entertainment area, as well as external buildings for our beekeepers and medicinal herb processing. Veterans memorial garden, outdoor classroom space, patio, produce wash station, and performance stage. Our new home will be a place of peace and healing for our nation's Veterans and their familes.

"I have to believe that there are angels coming. We are a model for non-pharmaceutical mental health intervention for Veterans and their families. There's too much at stake for us to just disappear. I have to believe that there are angels coming." Al Yeck, Executive Director, Veterans Healing Farm.

Please CLICK HERE to visit our webpage. CLICK HERE to visit our Facebook page.

Please CLICK HERE to visit our 2022-23 photo gallery of the Farm.

Straw Bale Gardening

with Craig LeHouiller

Bring Your Garden to the Sun - how to grow just about anything in Containers or Straw Bales.

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: Friday, April 5

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 10am - noon

What's ALL the Buzz?! 🐝 

with The Veterans Healing Farm Bee Squad, Green River Bee Co., and special guest.

Are you fascinated by honeybees, want to learn more, get some hands-on experience (of course while wearing gloves), process honey, have fun, volunteer, make a difference in our local ecology, and make new friendships? You're in the right place!

What's ALL the Buzz is an introduction into the Veterans Healing Farm's Beekeeping Program; a pathway to getting involved and becoming a member of our Bee Squad.

We will discuss basic beeatitudes, fun facts, a bee's lifecycle & their various roles, beekeeping tools, and equipment. Our Bee Squad volunteers will share their experiences since joining the squad, and answer your questions! Additionally, Veteran Jon Gleman from Green River Bee Co. will be debuting our brand new horizontal bee hive!

Weather permitting, we will get suited up for a hands-on experience in our apiary. We will take one of our bee colonies from their traditional vertical hive box, and move them into their new horizontal hive configuration. In our world, it would be like moving from a townhouse to a ranch style home.

Please wear mid high closed toed shoes, a ball cap, and jeans if you're interested in the hands-on apiary experience. Bee suits, and gloves will be provided.  

When: Saturday, April 6

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 930am - 2pm (Apiary session for those interested 1245pm - 2pm)



Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) Info Session

Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) is a unique, No-Fail Mission that enlists Veterans like you to help train dogs for Veterans in need.

This info session will give you a better understanding of the positive power of the human animal bond and how you can join to help Veterans heal through animal assisted therapy

MBTR benefits you as much as it does the dog and their future “Furever Veteran.” Wounded Warrior Project Alumni encouraged to attend.

When: Tuesday, April 9

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 1pm - 3pm

Volunteer to Help Build a Veteran a Garden

The Veterans Healing Farm is partnering with FrontLine Gardens out of Tennessee who provide Therapeutic gardening for Veterans and First Responders injured in the Line of Duty and/or those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS).

Come and help build a raised-bed garden for a Veteran in Franklin, NC. Tools, materials, plans, and lunch are provided.

When: Thursday, April 11

Where: Meeting at the Veterans Healing Farm then traveling together to Franklin, NC

Time: 9am - 3pm (Includes travel time)

Therapy Dog Training Info Session with Appalachian Dog Training

Veterans Healing farm will be offering spring Therapy Dog sessions for veterans to come together and connect with Appalachian Dog Training, LLC's golden retriever Therapy Dogs. 

We are hosting a "learn more" event with Therapy Dogs on site. Join us to learn more about Therapy Dogs, their training requirements, and to learn what it takes to become a volunteer Therapy Dog Handler!

When: Tuesday, April 16

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 1pm - 2pm

Creative Canvas Series: An introduction to painting with acrylics

Experience the vibrant world of acrylic painting through our monthly Creative Canvas Series. Each session our instructor will guide you step-by-step through a completed painting and help boost your artistic confidence. Students will learn basic brush techniques, color mixing, and general essential painting skills.

When: Friday, April 19

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 10am - noon

Spring Herbs for Detoxification, Allergies, and Garden Tour

with Rebecca Vann, Director of Plant Medicine

Spring is the perfect time to cleanse our body, build our immunity, and rejuvenate our systems from the heaviness of Winter. The plants that first appear in the fields and gardens are supportive of this much needed cleansing process. Let’s kick off the 2024 season together at the farm and see who’s popping up!

In this class we will be diving into some of our common “weeds” and their medicinal properties, as well as other herbs and remedies that help our bodies remain in balance as we emerge into Spring and Summer seasons. All participants will receive various herbal preparations to take home.

When: Friday, April 19

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 1pm - 4pm

Making Medicinal Teas, Drying Herbs, and Harvesting Herbs

with Rebecca Vann, Director of Plant Medicine

Water is life. Water has the power to draw out many of the herbal properties we rely on for health and healing. In this class we will learn to make medicinal herbal teas and cover the difference between a culinary tea and a medicinal tea. We will make and sample several different herbal tea blends crafted from herbs we’ve grown together at the farm. 

Did you know herbs can be absorbed through the skin as well? 

We will also discuss the therapeutic significance of the age-old remedy of herbal foot baths and learn how to make blends focused on relaxation, circulation, detoxification, and rejuvenation.

And since it’s early in the season, we’ll also discuss tips and techniques for harvesting and drying herbs properly. Join us as we sip, steep, and soak our way to vibrant wellness through the art of making medicinal herbal teas and remedies.

*Includes Herbal foot baths*

When: Friday, April 26

Where: Veterans Healing Farm, 38 Yale Road, Hendersonville, NC

Time: 1pm - 4pm

Glassblowing for Veterans at the North Carolina Glass Center

The North Carolina Glass Center is running a 6-week program for Veterans May 1 - June 5. It will involve 3 days in the Hotshop, 2 days in the Flameshop and 1 day Fusing.

HOTSHOP

Learn the basics of glassblowing as your instructor assists you during the entire process!

Choose between crafting a paperweight, ornament, or cup, then customize your piece

with your choice of two colors.

FLAMESHOP

Receive a guided experience to create your own glass keepsakes in our flameworking

studio. In this hands-on class, you will work with an experienced instructor to create a

unique piece of glass art. Choose between crafting a marble, pendant, or glass icicle,

then customize your piece with your choice of two colors. Your instructor will walk you

through all the basic skills you will need to create a piece of your very own. Manipulating

rods of glass, you will learn to apply the colors of your choice, and revel in the

exhilaration of melting glass!

FUSING

Work with a glass expert who will guide you through choosing colors and creating shapes

with cold glass. Work with flat glass to create a colorful tile, picture frame or suncatcher.

Spaces are limited! Registration deadline is April 7. For more information, please email mamie@ncglasscenter.org.

When: Wednesdays, May 1 to June 5

Where: North Carolina Glass Center, 140 Roberts St. Asheville, NC 28801

Time: 3pm – 5pm

Healing Six Strings – Guitar Lessons for Beginners

Playing guitar is not only a fun hobby, but it can also have numerous benefits for mental health. Studies have shown that playing an instrument, in general, can reduce stress, boost creativity and confidence, improve cognitive function, and enhance social connections. Learning to play the guitar requires focus, discipline, and patience, which can all contribute to improved mental well-being. Each class is 10 lessons over 10 weeks with a maximum of 4 students per class. If you do not have a guitar one will be provided.

IMPORTANT - We are offering three separate classes. Please only sign up for either Tuesdays, or Thursdays, or Saturdays.

When: Thursdays beginning May 2, through July 4

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 530pm - 630pm

When: Saturdays beginning May 4, through July 6

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 11am - noon

When: Tuesdays beginning May 7, through July 9

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 530pm - 630pm

Forge Your Own Herb Chopper! Blacksmithing with Jasper Herr



In this class, you learn how to forge your own razor sharp herb chopper from start to finish.

The class is designed to have you participating in almost every step of the process and I make sure you end up with a high-quality product. 



When: Saturday May 4

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 9am – 3pm

LENS Nuerofeedback

Melissa Wessel has been providing LENS Neurofeedback to clients for the past 17 years. She resided in Northern California until relocating to North Carolina in 2021. Her practice involved working with a large number of veterans, police officers and first responders. Her clients experienced a great deal of relief from their symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, brain fog, depression, anger management and over reactivity, regardless of when their symptoms started. Most were able to either decrease their medications or no longer need them. The average amount of sessions needed were between 10 and 15. Melissa has offered to volunteer her services to the Veterans Healing Farm one day every other week. She will be able to see up to ten people per day.

About Ochs Labs

The concept of Low Energy Neurofeedback (which is a completely unique form of “brain optimization”) was first introduced by Len Ochs in the 1980s. After introducing his ideas to several national forums, he established Ochs Labs to further develop and hone Low Energy Neurofeedback concepts and the technology behind it.

Since then our providers and their patients have reported many forms of success using our unique and effective form of neurotherapy. Over 85% of people who have used the LENS have benefited significantly from it. Results can be seen quickly, often beginning within the first session, and are lasting. 

Unlike traditional neurofeedback sessions, LENS:

1) Does not require conscious effort and attention to stimuli by the client.

2) Sessions last, on average, a few seconds to minutes each.

3) The number of sessions, on average, hovers around 11 necessary sessions. 

Spring sessions will begin on Tuesday May 7th. And continue for several months every other Tuesday at the farm.

When: Tuesdays beginning May 7 – October 17 (every other Tuesday)

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 9am – 4pm

To register, please contact Melissa Wessel at 707-481-7855 by phone or text. She will then conduct an evaluation to see if you are a good candidate.

Therapy Dog Training Info Session with Appalachian Dog Training

Veterans Healing farm will be offering spring Therapy Dog sessions for veterans to come together and connect with Appalachian Dog Training, LLC's golden retriever Therapy Dogs. 

We are hosting a "learn more" event with Therapy Dogs on site. Join us to learn more about Therapy Dogs, their training requirements, and to learn what it takes to become a volunteer Therapy Dog Handler!

When: Tuesday, May 7

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 1pm – 2pm

Four Mile Kayak Trip On Horse Shoe Bend with Lazy Otter Outfitters

Our Horse Shoe Bend paddle is a self-guided float from the public river access on Highway 64 at Cummings Road Back to Lazy Otter HQ, which will take 1.5 to 2 hours depending on your effort and water flows.

You'll come to Lazy Outter Outfitters (10 Banner Farm Rd, Mills River, NC 28759) to sign in and listen to the safety briefing, and they'll take you on a short, three-minute shuttle ride to the put-in. You'll padded your way around the Horse Shoe Bend, admiring the wildlife and beautiful trees and timber with no roads or buildings to spoil the view. You'll take out back at Lazy Otter HQ, where your car is waiting for you wit no need for another shuttle.

When: Thursday, May 9

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 5pm - 7pm

Warrior Canine Connection Information Session

Warrior Canine Connection utilizes a Mission Based Trauma Recovery model to help Warriors recovering from the stress of combat reconnect with their families, communities, and life.

By interacting with the dogs as they move from puppyhood to training to adult service dogs, Warrior Trainers benefit from a physiological and psychological animal-human connection. As a result of their efforts, Veterans with disabilities receive the finest in trained service dogs. Come learn about this wonderful program where each dog can help more than 60 Veterans.

When: Friday, May 10

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: Noon – 2pm

Making herbal extracts using alcohol, glycerin, and vinegar

with Rebecca Vann, Director of Plant Medicine

Explore the craft of herbal medicine tincture making and acquire the foundations needed to make, formulate, and use these healing remedies confidently. We’ll work with fresh plants from the farm as well as dried plants from last year's harvest. 

What You'll Learn:

Understanding the principles behind tincture making and the benefits of each solvent - alcohol, vinegar, glycerine.

Selection and preparation of high-quality herbs for tincture making, including considerations of plant parts, potency, and sustainability.

Step-by-step demonstration of tincture-making techniques for alcohol, vinegar, and glycerine extractions, with emphasis on proper measurements, maceration times, and storage methods.

When: Saturday, May 11

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 1pm – 4pm

Epic Tomatoes for Your Garden with Craig LeHoullier

Buckle in and let Craig take you on an in-depth, colorful tour of his wonderful world of tomatoes. Starting with some history, stories and enough information for you to decide what you want to grow in your own garden, Craig will then talk about how to make it all happen in this challenging climate - from seed to seed saving. Craig will share his experiences in his first three years of gardening in Hendersonville, and will be happy to answer your gardening questions. He will have seeds to share, and signed copies of his books available for purchase

When: Tuesday, May 14

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time:10am – 11am

Mushroom Foraging

Come Learn and explore while we forage for mushrooms and more! A walk in the forest, what will we find? Learn what to look for to increase your odds of successfully foraging for mushrooms. Learn about the forest, its functions, and its elements. Take a naturalist walk and see what we find. What are the secrets of foraging, proper identification and care, ethics and more!

When: Friday, May 17

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 9am – 1130am

Equine Therapy with Heart of Horse Sense

(First Responders are welcome to participate)

Most people may not realize the tremendous value that therapy/companion/comfort animals have for the purposes of easing the suffering of those with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), particularly within the military. - Ken Wahl 

Equine Therapy / Animal-assisted Therapy is effective in treating people, including combat veterans and first responders, with PTSD, depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and other issues.

Horses are highly reactive and respond to human emotions - inviting calm and non-reactive communications which promotes emotional awareness, emotion regulation, self-control, and impulse modulation. Working with horses in a therapeutic setting offers instant and constant feedback to participants and is highly motivational – combining to make an exceptionally effective rehabilitation environment.

The Veterans Healing Farm will be closed to all other activities during these sessions.

When: Saturday, May 18

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 10am – 4pm

Appalachian Dog Training



For our 1st training session we will be seeking volunteers to learn:

• differences between an ESA, Service Dog & Therapy Dog
• how to conduct a safe visit
• handler training
• dog training

When: Tuesday, May 21

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 1pm – 2pm

Botanical Sketchbook

Working from our local garden, students will learn to study the plants, flowers, and foliage around them to create realistic or stylized sketches and paintings. Bring your favorite sketchbook and we’ll supply the rest (various drawing and painting materials). If you don’t have a sketchbook, we have sheets of paper available.

When: Friday, May 24

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 10am – noon

Leather Cuff Making

Make your own leather cuff bracelet with Shining Rock Goods! We will bring straps of leather for you to choose your color and width. We will guide you to custom cut the strap to your preferred length. You can decide if you would like to add wording or designs (or both) to your cuff. We will lead you through the design process and you will stamp your creation into the leather with metal dyes and mallets. Finish your cuff by punching holes and adding a button stud closure. Go home with your own handmade custom leather creation at the end of class!

When: Tuesday, May 28

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time:10am – noon

Outdoor/Nature Based Community Adventure in DuPont State Forest



PIVOTPoint WNC and the Veterans Healing Farm are excited to team up to offer you therapeutic adventure programs that help you identify areas of strength and resilience. These experiences help develop relationships that support and maintain healthy living – with yourself and others. And it's fun!

When: Friday, May 31

Where: Meet at Veterans Healing Farm, will drive together to Dupont State Forest

Time: 11am – 4pm

For any questions or if you need any gear contact:mo@pivotpointwnc.com/828-785-2881

Herbal First Aid for Everyone

with Rebecca Vann, Director of Plant Medicine

Learn the basics of herbal first aid from an experienced “herbal first responder.” You’ll learn how to make your own first aid kit, and what herbal remedies to use for common issues such as wound care, poison ivy, bruises, sprains, allergies, shock, and more.

CoreyPine is a holistic clinical herbalist who has practiced herbal first aid for 30 years at events across the country. He is the director of the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine and the author of “Southeast Medicinal Plants” (Timber Press). Expect useful herbal information, personal stories, and maybe even a Taylor Swift reference.

CoreyPine Shane RH(AHG), founder and Director of the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine near Asheville, NC, has spent 30 years helping clients and teaching people by artfully blending Chinese and Western herbal traditions with a focus on local plants. His book “Southeast Medicinal Plants” teaches how to identify, ethically harvest, and use the wild plants of the Southeast US. CoreyPine has taught across the United States and in Europe, at many national herb conferences, and is a Professional Member of the American Herbalists Guild.

When: Friday, May 31

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 1pm – 4pm

Veterans Healing Farm Night

at McCormick Field

The Veterans Healing Farm will be recognized at the Saturday, June 1, Asheville Tourists vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers game. We have a box behind the Tourists dugout with 20 seats. First pitch at 6:05pm. Come out, support the Farm and our home team!

3rd Annual Veterans Resource Fair

(mark your calendars)

The Veterans Healing Farm is hosting our 3rd Annual Veterans Resource Fair on Saturday, May 25, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There is no fee to attend and is open to the public

This is the largest veteran event in WNC showcasing the services provided to our veterans from over 40 nonprofit organizations including: AARP, Appalachian Dog Training, LLC, Aura Home, Brothers and Sisters Like These,

Center Well Home Health, Congressman Chuck Edwards

Council on Aging, Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 14, Eagle Rock Camp, Equinox Ranch, Healing The Hole Collective, Heart of Horse Sense, Lighthouse Collective Foundation, Man With A Horse Project, Military Working Dog Heritage Museum, Mission 22, MOAA of Western North Carolina, Mothers of Veteran Suicide, Mountain Vista Recovery, Patient Advocacy Charles George VA, PGA Hope, Pisgah Legal, Post-9/11 Military 2 Charles George VA, Project Healing Waters, Soldiers Angels, Sugar Bear Foundation, The Self-Regulation Station, Therapeutic Cuddling : HoldmeAVL, Unbroken Spirit, VA Innovation Program Charles George VA, Veterans Healing Farm, Veterans Services of the Carolinas, VFW Hendersonville, WADO Studios, Warrior Canine Connection, Warriors at Ease, Whole Health Charles George VA, and more!

FOOD TRUCKS (suggest not eating at least 2 days before so you can gorge yourself from these delicious mobile chefs)

North Meets South

Dreadlife Kitchen

Allie's Sweet Treats

BANDS (amazing, super talented artists)

Rooster

Hope Griffin

In this 20-minute weekly podcast, Marine and Air Force Veterans Al Yeck and Megan Landreth interview nonprofits throughout the country who offer help to our Veteran community. Remember to like and subscribe! Click on the image to listen.

Veterans Healing Farm Cool Stuff Shop