Do you have any experience with agritherapy to deal with PTSD or TBI?

SPC Mathew Brady — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 16:16:00 -0500

Agritherapy helps turn farms into into a safe haven for veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI. Do you have any experiences with this, or any perceptions you want to share?

I would also love to get your feed back on how our site looks and how it can be better. Www.purpleheartacres.com

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jan 3 at 2015 5:02 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 17:02:09 -0500

Your story (on the "About Me" link) is detailed enough to share the vision and adds direct credibility to your cause!

Recommend you add some links to other sites, you mention the VA, can you add a link to their site? I'd also recommend getting some patriotic colors in there, maybe getting bigger pictures as a link, or make the links bigger and on the side of the page vice the bottom. It is probably much easier for me to say that and I do not know how difficult it is.

Great start!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jan 3 at 2015 7:00 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 19:00:56 -0500

We planted a small garden at the VA PTSD hospital when I did my 4 month stint there. To watch something grow from nothing and make it to maturity was like seeing rebirth. In time the garden got bigger and bigger and bigger. It was a great spiritual reviving for many.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 12:46 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 00:46:06 -0500

I think this is awesome. Some of my favorite experiences of my life have been putting up hay. And if you've ever done it, it's hard work, not quite as romantic as it sounds. But still so peaceful, being in a field, drinking in God's creation.

Response by LTJG Daniel Bouysou made Jan 5 at 2015 6:45 AM

LTJG Daniel Bouysou — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 06:45:37 -0500

Works better if one just hands dirty, seriously. Connecting with a new life, even if it is a plant or crop is useful to anyone. Animals are great as well, especially dogs.

Response by LTJG Daniel Bouysou made Jan 5 at 2015 6:52 AM

LTJG Daniel Bouysou — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 06:52:25 -0500

Yep, anything living or new life is great. Getting hands dirty in the earth is great. Put a client on horseback and watch it respond to riders emotions. Dogs are great as well.

Response by LTJG Daniel Bouysou made Jan 5 at 2015 6:57 AM

LTJG Daniel Bouysou — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 06:57:30 -0500

The bottom line is hope when it appears all hope is gone which is a mental lie. It takes more than a mental exercise, it take knowing one is a mental( thinking and feeling), physical, and spiritual being, as well as, seeing that all the components of self are connected. Actually, it is knowing how one is created and by whom. It is an exercise in light versus darkness, truth versus a lie, good versus evil. A lot of battles going on here. If any one is ready for a battle it is a soldier!

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2015 9:16 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 09:16:50 -0500

I am going to do a plug here as I work for USDA and there are grants as part of the Farm Bill for Veterans and Farming.

Here is a blog post about one veteran farming program. http://blogs.usda.gov/tag/veterans-sustainable-agriculture-training-program/

I would suggest contacting them and seeing pehaps if you can get a grant to help you. http://www.outreach.usda.gov/veterans.htm

I think it's a great endeavor.

Response by MAJ Beau Chatham made Aug 22 at 2019 5:15 PM

MAJ Beau Chatham — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 17:15:30 -0400

I currently have a client that is developing an 82 acre farm in Northwest Georgia. He has identified multiple resources available to veterans. One in particular is the Farmer Veteran Coalition. Click here to learn more: http://www.farmvetco.org

Home - FARMER VETERAN COALITION

Scholarship Application Released for 2019 Farmer Veteran Stakeholders Conference! All FVC Veteran Members located 50+ miles outside of Austin, TX, who are interested in attending the conference: You are eligible for scholarship funding! Here are some of the details: • Scholarship awards go toward hotel lodging • Select members also eligible for travel expense coverage …