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• 20 consecutive years with 6,000+ veteran suicides

• 131K+ veterans have died by suicide since 2001

• 2nd leading cause of death in veterans under age 45

Suicide Prevention for Veterans continues to be a critical need

We continue to search in Henderson County for land, and fundraising to buy the land and build new. We are very grateful for the next few months we will all have together before we leave (August 15). We are very thankful to the people of Henderson County and our friends in all the Carolinas, and throughout the country for their kind and generous support over our 11 years. I am confident that we will continue helping our Veteran community somewhere. We have a few live music nights coming up. Come on out before we leave. For more info please go to www.veteranshealingarm.org.

Thank you! Al Yeck, Executive Director

Picture: Ukrainian delegation visit to the Veterans Healing Farm.

$50,018.18 has been generously made as a matching donation pledge to us. This means if you donate $100, it's matched $100, for an increased impact of $200. Companies and people giving $10,000, matched $10,000 for $20,000 impact, etc. up to $50,018.18.

In Jewish tradition, the number 18, or "Chai," holds a significant meaning. Chai (חי), usually pronounced like the English word “hi” or “high,” which is a word and symbol that means “life.” In fact, a common Jewish toast “L'Chaim!,” which means, “To Life!” is often said at celebrations in anticipation of all the good things to come. And with your help, all good things will come to the Veterans Healing Farm!

THE VISION TO SUPPORT THE VISION OF AN END TO VETERAN SUICIDE

With your donations, this is the vision of the future the Veterans Healing Farm. Our mission remains enhancing the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of our nation's Veterans and their families. This new VHF physical model will allow us to program 12 months a year (currently, because we have no indoor space, we are forced to stop for December - February weather).

Twelve to fifteen acres. ADA accessible. Indoor/outdoor classrooms, indoor office space (including visiting therapists space), full kitchen, Veterans recreation area. Patio/deck cookout area. Buildings for the Medicinal Plants and Beekeeping squads; produce wash area, raised beds, year-round greenhouse operations. Veterans Memorial Garden.

Last year we ran 49 workshops for 477 participants; as examples but not all inclusive, equine therapy, canine therapy, art therapy, music therapy, agritherapy, neurofeedback, medicinal plants, etc., organic farming, beekeeping, medicinal plants, tomatoes, and flowers. Veteran centered events, e.g., Traveling Vietnam and 9/11 Memorials saw almost 4,000 attendees in 4 days, Veterans Resource Fair (the largest Veteran event in Western North Carolina) as well as wellness retreats, concerts, trips, and more.

We are a modern model for non-pharmaceutical mental health interventions for Veterans and families. We are only a few people away from making our new home a reality. Please make aware anyone you know that would want to help. Thank you!

DOWNLOAD YOUR OUTREACH SHEET BELOW

SAVE THE DATES!

WNC Car Show Fundraiser -

June 23rd 1pm to 4pm, 2615 Hendersonville Road. All welcome! $10 registration.

Live Music -

with The Infringements

Sat, June 29, 6pm – 8pm at the Veterans Healing Farm. All welcome and free! Coolers can be brought in.

Buy a Veteran a Beer Fundraiser -

July 4 - 7 at various local breweries. We'll be posting all participating locations soon. More info to come.

Our 2nd Stand-Up for Veterans Fundraiser -

An evening of comedy and music to support the Veterans Healing Farm. September 13, 630pm - 9pm. Point Lookout Vineyards. More info to come.

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, June 4

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 1pm – 3pm

Poplar Basket Making

We will be creating small poplar bark berry style baskets.

These baskets have become quite popular and are wonderfully designed. The finished baskets are great for berry picking or for decorating your home. They are extremely durable and last for many years if not left out in the weather.

We will discuss how, what, when and where to harvest poplar tree bark. We will also discuss other tree barks that could be used. Next we will start the basket making process. We will learn about the bark basket’s simple and ingenious pattern. Each student will acquire a poplar log and cut the bark in preparation to peel it. A flat headed screwdriver will help to loosen the bark. Once the bark is off the log the final pattern can be created and the form cut out with a utility knife, along with scoring the base. Carefully folding the bark will almost instantly create the basket. The second phase will be to sew up the sides and around the rim. Strips of bark are used to help stabilize the basket and to keep it from curling into itself. It helps to drill holes for the needle as you sew. A final rope handle is made to hang around your neck and is attached to each side of the basket.

When: Thursday, June 6

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 10am – 4pm

Air Dry Pottery

This introductory-level workshop is a fun way to explore the relaxing art of Clay Pottery. This 2 hour workshop covers basic hand-building clay techniques. All supplies included.

We will be working with special air-dry clay. Pottery wheel & kiln not required.

When: Friday, June 7

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 12pm – 2pm

1/2 Day Fly Fishing Trip 

Take a private, guided fly fishing trip while wading in some of the most beautiful rivers and streams in Asheville's mountains. Wade for trophy trout, and wild trout with a professional guide. All SAA trips include fly fishing equipment, waders, boots and more.

When: Saturday, June 8

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 7am – 11am

Crowd Breeding - Create your own tomato variety; the story of the Dwarf Tomato Breeding Project



Come to the Veterans Healing Farm so that Craig LeHoullier can tell you the story of how he and over 1000 volunteers from the world over created well over 100 new

varieties of tomatoes. As a bonus, he will take the group to the tomato straw bale row to demonstrate how you can create your very own tomato variety by carrying out a cross pollination. While there, we can take a tour of the various types of tomatoes that are growing and look at the diversity of leaves, heights, and tomato shapes and sizes, as well as do some possible diagnosis of any issues that show themselves.

When: Tuesday, June 11

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 1pm – 3pm

Mushroom Cultivation 102 (Log Inoculation) – Students go home with a log which should fruit for years to come

In this workshop, you will learn the process used to inoculate logs with mycelium plug spawn. We will cover wood selection, log preparations, spawn handling, inoculation, sealing, log storage and care. Join us and learn about the many mushrooms that can become part of your system through this method.

This will be a hands-on workshop and you will get to participate in the different steps involved in inoculating the logs. At the end, everybody takes an inoculated log home. Participants should be prepared to operate a drill, mallet, and carry their 2 foot long log to each table during class.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Closed toe shoes
• A cordless drill with charged battery and a 5/16” drill bit (either a spade bit or twist drill bit will be fine)
• A mallet or hammer (a rubber or wooden mallet may be better) 
• We will have tools you can borrow so don’t buy anything.

When: Friday, June 14

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 930am – 1230pm

Learn to Make Your Own Kombucha!

Learn how easy it is to make kombucha at home for a fraction of the cost of buying it at the store!

In this class you will:

• Understand what kombucha is and it’s benefits
• Learn to make your own SCOBY
• Understand the two phases of fermentation
• Receive troubleshooting tips and tricks
• Taste test several different kombucha recipes

Each participant will receive:

• Full written instructions on how to brew your own kombucha from start to finish
• A kit with everything you will need to start your first batch of kombucha which includes a gallon glass brewing jar, tea samples, an active SCOBY with starter kombucha and more!
• Sample recipes to start your kombucha journey
• A bottling jar to fill with your favorite kombucha variety

When: Saturday, June 15

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 12pm – 130pm

Caring for the Caregiver

Sponsored by AARP Mountain Region

This workshop will outline five key areas that family caregivers face; 1) discussing care-related issues, 2) identifying support, 3) planning for peace of mind, 4) finding resources, and 5) caring for yourself.

Each participant will receive a guide for information, glossary of terms to know, resources, and checklists to help organize and find the support that you might need.

When: Friday, June 21

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 130pm – 3pm

Wellness Retreat at the VHF

(please bring a Yoga mat)



Find tranquility at the Veterans Healing Farm and leave feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and reconnected with your body, mind, and spirit. Yoga, Sound/vibration, and Meditation.



When: Saturday, June 22

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 10am – 1pm

4 Mile Kayak Trip with Lazy Otter Outfitter

CURRENTLY THIS EVENT IS FULL

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: Tuesday, June 25

Where: 10 Banner Farm Road, Mills River, NC

Time: 130pm – 3pm

Making Herbal Oils, Salves + Lotion Bars

With Rebecca Vann + Patrina Van Sky

Making herbal-infused oils is the process of transferring a plant’s medicinal qualities into a carrier oil. Herbal oils can be used as moisturizers, massage oil, and first aid for cuts, bruises, burns, bug bites, and more. Herbal oils also have culinary applications as well. In this class, we will create oil infusions from plants grown on the farm and craft salves. Our special guest instructor, Patrina Van Sky, will show us how to make lotion bars

Participants will take home an herbal oil infusion, a salve, and a lotion bar to add to their home apothecary.

When: Friday, June 28

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 1pm – 4pm

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, July 13

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 10am – 4pm

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: Saturday, July 13

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 12pm – 2pm

Fresh Fruit Liqueurs

with guest Patrina Van Sky

Join us while we create fresh fruit liqueurs at the farm. You will learn the basics of fresh fruit and other popular liqueurs such as Kahlua and Irish Cream. We will be crafting + decanting a delicious raspberry liquor from our berries on the farm! 

This class offers a sensory journey, allowing you to savor samples of various liqueurs and providing you with a collection of exclusive recipes to take home. 

When: Friday, July 26

Where: Veterans Healing Farm

Time: 1pm – 4pm

4 Hour Sierra Nevada Kayak Trip with Lazy Otter Outfitters

We'll pick you up at Westfeldt Park on Ferncliff Park Dr at Hwy 280 (see helpful directions below) for the 15-minute drive to Lazy Otter HQ on the banks of the French Broad in Horse Shoe. Be sure to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time to give yourself time to apply sunscreen and get yourself ready to leave on time! IMPORTANT: EXPECT THAT THE BUS WILL LEAVE WESTFELDT FOR LAZY OTTER AT THE SCHEDULED START TIME! This is for the benefit of other paddlers on the trip and so that we may keep to our schedule. If you miss the bus, you will be rebooked on a later departure for the Sierra Nevada Express if available or the "7-mile Paddle to Westfeldt" which you would meet at Lazy Otter Outfitters. Your kayaks or canoes will be lined up and ready to go for the seven-mile paddle back to Westfeldt, which is just down the road from Sierra Nevada. We'll meet you there to collect your boats, and it will take you less than five minutes to drive up the hill to the brewery.

Your trip includes transportation and equipment, including life jacket and paddle. Kayaks have room for a backpack or small, preferably soft-sided cooler. Don't forget proper river footwear (a sandal with a heel strap is better than flip-flops!), sunscreen, clothes that can get wet and anything else you expect to need. No activities or reservations at Sierra Nevada are included.

No pets allowed. If you arrive with a pet, you will not be allowed to take the pet on the trip with you nor will you be allowed to leave the pet in your car on our property, and there will be no refund for your trip. This is for the protection of the pet!

We look forward to seeing you!

When: Wednesday, July 31

Where: Westfeldt Park, 83 Old Fanning Bridge Rd, Mills River, NC

Time: 9am – 1pm

Unbroken Spirit

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.

2024 Programs are filling fast and space is limited. Apply Today!

Check out the video from our 2023 team on their wilderness experience. The team came as strangers and left as lifelong friends. For more information or questions, please email info@unbrokenspirit.org.

Episode 18 now available to stream.

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