MAB: Thanks, Dulanie, I totally understand that. I have not been in support of sending our military to war, especially to recent ones, and in the 1960's I was an anti-war demonstrator. However, I am also vigorously in support of veterans' rights. I felt conflicted about all of that for many years, but I've finally resolved it - I don't want to send them to war, but if we do, then it's only right to follow up with all the promises after they get back, and help them return to productive lives as citizens. I don't feel our government is following up appropriately with their promises to veterans, and that is unethical and makes me angry, and I feel helpless to change the government's response. I take my elderly dad, a WW2 vet, to the VA Hospital frequently, and am always struck with the pervading sense of hopelessness there. But your documentary shows me that I can put my faith for ethical resolutions for veterans in the private sector. Individual citizens can do what the government fails to do, and that's really the spirit of this country, anyway. So it's a hopeful and helpful movie, thanks for spreading the hope around! And thank you for sharing with us, Dulanie!
DE: Thank you, I'm always glad to share this story!
John Wilson, interviewed in the documentary, uses sustainable and organic methods at his 21-acre New Earth Farm and onsite learning center in Virginia Beach, VA. He runs a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, where local residents pay at the start of the season for produce that they will receive over the course of the summer. This allows the farmer to cover early costs and makes it easier to estimate how much to plant. For the members, it means eating fresh, organic produce on a weekly basis, the opportunity to support a local farmer, relationships with a community of like-minded people and a personal connection to the food they eat and the people who grow it.
Wilson's has offered tours of his farm to local school groups, and trains local educatiors in how to create and maintain school gardens. So far he's mentored four veterans who now run their own farms. Former mentee Rick Cavey grows organically and has also started two farmer's markets.
Mentees Coleman and Bridget Ruiz now farm organically in Maryland. John and Coleman were featured "cover-farmers" on the April 2012 issue of Cultivate magazine.
Helping veterans to heal through farming promises other benefits for society, as well. In a case that smacks of the repercussions of PTSD, on Oct. 22 in Santa Rosa CA, a 13-year-old boy carrying a toy gun was shot from behind and killed by former combat veteran, Sonoma County sheriff deputy Eric Gelhaus. How many lives would be different now if Gelhaus had gotten involved in farming instead of law enforcement upon his return from war?
Solutions for returning veterans are sprouting up like weeds.
The Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) notes that it "works with veterans in the food and farming community in 48 states, to provide farming education, and veteran assistance to those in need... We aspire to lead the national effort connecting veterans to agriculture. We believe that veterans possess the unique skills and character needed to strengthen rural communities and create sustainable food systems for all. We believe that food production offers purpose, opportunity, and physical and psychological benefits."
The 2nd Annual Empowering Women Veterans Conference hosted by the FVC will be held in Louisville, Kentucky, November 14-17th. Women who have served in the Armed Forces, are still serving, and women who are farming are invited to participate in the conference, for free. The event includes a sneak preview of the documentary Terra Firma, about three female combat veterans who found ways to heal through farming. Julie Brown, National Veteran Outreach Coordinator for the FVC, and a veteran herself, notes that many will be attending on scholarships that assisted them in paying for transportation and housing.
The Veterans Farm in Florida helps "disabled combat veterans reintegrate back into society through the use of horticulture therapy, while working together in a relaxed, open environment. Veterans will work as a team to develop solutions that will enable them to overcome physical and mental barriers."
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