View as Webpage

“Every day begins with an act of courage and hope: getting out of bed.”

– Mason Cooley

Doctoral Interns from the Daoist Traditions College administer acupuncture treatments to folks in our Veteran community. We have two more sessions scheduled. Sign up below!

Acupuncture

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, migraines, and so much more! This program is in partnership with the Daoist Traditions Acupuncture Clinic.

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.

When: Thursday, April 10, and/or Thursday, April 24, 2025

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

Time: 9am - 1pm

Equine Therapy*

with Heart of Horse Sense (this session is open to all first responders)

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.

Heart of Horse Sense is a long-time friend of the VHF and provides quality, professional trauma-informed equine-assisted services for Veterans, First Responders, At-Risk Youth & their families. This is an opportunity you shouldn't let pass.

*No children for this workshop.

When: Saturday, April 12, 2025

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

Time: 10am - 4pm

Garden Fertility

with Maddie McCann 

Optimize the fertility in your garden soils with organic practices and resources.

Looking to cultivate gardens that are more productive, eco-friendly, and healthier while saving time and money? The key lies in the soil – specifically, vibrant, living soil. Discover how to revitalize your soil and create naturally thriving gardens. In this class, you'll learn to identify healthy soil, nurture the soil food web, and enhance soil fertility using natural methods accessible to all gardeners.

When: Friday, April 18, 2025

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

Time: 1pm - 3pm

All About Bluebirds

with Joe Sanders

For many years, the bluebird population had been seriously declining due to, among other things, non-native species moving into the bluebird habitat. The recent upsurge in the bluebird population can largely be attributed to a movement of volunteer citizens establishing and maintaining bluebird nest boxes and trails. The bluebird needs the direct intervention of people for its survival. Join Joe as he presents a video of an active nest box, a slide show on the threats to the bluebird’s survival and how and why it is so important to monitor the nest box. Wear sturdy shoes and appropriate clothing for a short walk around the Veterans Healing Farm for a demonstration on how to monitor some of the active bluebird nest boxes on the campus.

Joe Sanders is a Navy veteran and has been working with bluebird restoration for over 30 years, He is currently a County Representative for the North Carolina Bluebird Society and has taught classes to numerous community garden groups and currently monitors nest boxes during the nesting season.

When: Tuesday, April 22, 2025

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

Time: 1030am - 130pm

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

with Sam Raph

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, April 23, 2025

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

Time: 11am - 1pm

Mixed-Media Collage

with All Together Art

With the guidance of award-winning instructors, step into collage techniques to create a beautiful and unique work of art. No experience necessary. You'll leave having created a beautiful 9x12 canvas board collage.

When: Saturday, April 26, 2025

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

Time: 1230pm - 2:30pm

Spring Medicine Making Series: Oil Infusions 

With Rebecca Vann

Making herbal infused oils is the process of transferring a plant's medicinal qualities into a carrier oil. Herbal oils can be used as a moisturizer, massage oil, and first aid for cuts, bruises, burns, bug bites, and more.

Herbal oils have culinary applications as well. In this class, we will create oil infusions from plants grown on the farm and craft salves. Participants will take home an herbal oil infusion and a salve to add to the home apothecary.

When: Friday, May 2, 2025

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

Time: 1pm - 4pm

Backpacking 101 - The First Step in Hiking the AT



Looking to reconnect with nature and take on a new challenge? This hands-on workshop is designed specifically for our Veteran community is who want to learn or refine essential backpacking skills. We’ll cover gear selection, packing strategies, trail nutrition, water treatment, bear safety, and the 10 Essentials for backcountry preparedness. The session will wrap up with an open Q&A, giving you the chance to ask questions and share experiences. Whether you’re seeking a new mission in the wild or simply a way to decompress, this workshop will prepare you for your next journey into the backcountry.

When: Saturday, May 3, 2025

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

Time: 11am - 1230pm

Acrylic Pouring



Learn the basics of acrylic pouring techniques to create abstract art in 2D and 3D. Projects - Small decorative bowl, glass bottles, and canvas board.

When: Friday, May 9, 2025

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

Time: 1230pm - 230pm

Growing Organic Roses

with Pam Greenwald of Angel Gardens

Pam will be presenting a program on just how easy it is to grow all roses organically. Her philosophy is contagious as she brings new ideas to the table that make sense and fits perfectly with our need to protect our roses, ourselves and the environment. She will inspire you with her passion for the extraordinary design of the Divine Intelligence of Nature. 

Pam will be touching on planting and maintaining a rose garden as well as showing us some propagation techniques. Pam will also be sharing some special Rose Lore with all of the attendees which will leave you excited to grow roses! 

Participants will be able to take home a beautiful rose to gift your mother or significant other. 

Pam will also explain her non-profit Rose Garden Angels, which uses horticulture therapy to help Veterans suffering from PTSD.

Pamela Greenewald is owner of Angel Gardens, a mail order rose nursery which grows over 2000 varieties of roses on their Own Roots in Alachua, Florida since 2006. It is one of only 4 commercial rose nurseries in the entire world that grow roses Organically. As an avid collector of all classes of rose, Pam specializes in the Antique, Old and Rare varieties that are in danger of disappearing. 

When: Saturday, May 10, 2025

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

Time: 10am - 4pm

Self-Portrait from Nature

In this fun art workshops, everyone will draw themselves on paper, then we will go on a nature walk to gather materials for them to decorate their portraits. The stuff they gather will resemble certain things about them, and then the floor will be open for them to share at the end. 

When: Thursday, May 15, 2025

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

Time: 11am - 1230pm

Survival Skills

with the Piked Antler Survival School

In this fun and skill based class, you get to learn real world survival skills from a professional Survival Instructor. You will learn different styles of fire, water purification, medical, navigation and more. 

This 3-hour workshop is really about spending time for yourself in a healthy way. You'll get to apply the skills you've learned and have a friendly survival skills competition at the end of class.

When: Friday, May 16, 2025

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

Time: 10am - 1pm

Permaculture Design

In this course we will learn about the basics of permaculture design including designing a sustainable and self-sufficient property or homesteads. We will talk about designing your property to work with nature!

Key concepts include garden design and maximizing yield, soil, water harvesting/storage, solar aspect, animal systems, energy systems, compost making, and much more!.

When: Saturday, May 17, 2025

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

Time: 930am - noon

Mixed Media Collage Frame

Explore basic collage techniques to create a unique photo frame.



Project - 5x7 wooden picture frame

When: Friday, May 23, 2025

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

Time: 1230pm - 230pm

Plant Swap and Tool Library Gathering

Join us for a fun garden gathering! Do you have extra plants or cuttings from your garden? Bring them out to share the wealth with fellow garden lovers. You can also bring out old tools that need some repair and love. We will discuss all garden topics from new plants, to tools, to tool storage, and any other fun topics as we enter an exciting new farming season here at the farm.

When: Friday, May 23, 2025

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

Time: 5pm - 7pm

Barn Quilt Painting

A barn quilts is a piece of wood or other material painted to look like a large quilt block for indoor or outdoor use. Join the fun of creating your very own 12 x 12 inch patriotic barn quilt to take home with you just in time for Memorial Day and 4^th of July! Choose from one of two designs.

The intent of this class is to provide all the knowledge and skills you will need so that you can then paint the size and pattern of your choice in the future.

You will learn about:

a.)   The history of barn quilts;

b.)   Barn Quilt Trails in WNC;

c.)   Barn Quilt design and layout;

d.)   Materials required;

e.)   Board preparation;

f.)    Taping and Painting Techniques;

g.)   Protecting Your Barn Quilt;

h.)   Hanging and Displaying Your Barn Quilt.

You will go home with a painted 12 x 12 barn quilt that can be hung on a light pole, mailbox, garden flag pole, quilt ladder or on a wall. You will need to apply sealer at home after the paint cures if you plan on displaying the barn quilt outside. All materials will be provided. No painting experience necessary. 

When: Saturday, May 24 2025

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

Time:1pm - 430pm

Pollinators and Pests: The Good, the Bad, and the Bugly

Let's talk about how to recognize pollinators and good pests in your garden! Sometimes the most quiet creatures in the garden, these good guys and gals fight the good fight in your fields. We'll go over different plants and practices to bring more beneficial insects, and reduce the problematic insects as much as possible. You'll leave this class with the ability to intervene in problematic pest infestations in an organic manner. Learn how to identify problematic pests like squash bugs, Mexican bean beetles, squash vine borer, flea beetles, etc. And more excitingly, learn how to identify the good beneficial insects such as parasitic wasps, lady bugs, green lacewings, praying mantids, etc.

When: Friday, May 30, 2025

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

Time: 1pm - 4pm

Introduction to Beekeeping

A basic introduction to beekeeping; Bee Biology, Obtaining Bees, Equipment & Tools, Bee Health, Safety, Honey Harvesting, Resources, Volunteering at the VHF, and MORE!

• 0900 - 1200 Instruction
• 1200 - 1300 Lunch*
• 1300 - 1500 Hands-on Apiary Session

*Lunch provided.

When: Saturday, May 31, 2025

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

Time: 9am - 3pm

The Easter Bunny won't be able to make it (work requirements) but we have two special guests that will be attending in his place:

Buckwheat and Lil' Rascal! Miniature in size but giants of love!

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED - DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS FRIDAY, APRIL 4

To ensure we have enough eggs (plastic) hams, and parking, please let us know if you'll be attending below. Please share with any Veteran families you know in the area.

Play Ball! Asheville Tourists vs. Greenville Drive

The Veterans Healing Farm has tickets to the game and would love for you to come along to cheer on our home team! We can also provide transportation in our 'Salutin' Van - just let us know.

When: Saturday, April 12, 2025

Where: McCormick Field, 30 Buchanan Pl, Asheville, NC

Time: Game starts at 6:05pm

For tickets please email veteranshealingfarm@gmail.com

VOLUNTEER DAYS ARE STARTING SOON.

GARDEN VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS, 9AM - NOON.

MEDICINAL HERB VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME FRIDAYS, 10AM - 2PM.

PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON OUR WEBSITE'S CALENDAR FOR SATURDAY VOLUNTEER DAYS AND TIMES.

Volunteering at the Farm

There is no required commitment of time, or duties. Come and go as you please, and participate in what you would like to help with (or come and just hang out). Current teams include:

Vegetable Garden Volunteers

The soil needs worked, the weeds need picked, the starts need started, the produce needs picked, washed, and prepared for distribution. Volunteers will learn about the various aspects of organic farming. No prior farming experience necessary.

Grounds Maintenance Volunteers

Grounds maintenance focuses on the overall health of the land. This includes tree and bush trimming, cutting grass, clearing land, pond health, and various landscape projects. No prior experience necessary.

Flower Squad Volunteers

We grow a variety of flowers which are then made into bouquets and distributed at the Charles George VA Medical Center. You will plant, harvest and maintain our beautiful flower gardens. We’ll also have a flower design class for the team. No prior experience necessary.

Medicinal Herb Squad Volunteers

The Medicinal Herb Squad is led by our Plant Medicine Director, Rebecca Vann. Volunteers here will learn to grow the most popular and locally appropriate medicinal herbs, e.g., echinacea, valerian, skullcap, lemon balm, ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh, chamomile, elderberry, and 50+ others. The Squad then harvests the herbs and helps make them into tinctures, teas, balms, and salves used by our Veterans – and volunteers! Rebecca also teaches workshops throughout the summer, at no charge to our members. No prior experience necessary.

Bee Squad Volunteers

The volunteer beekeepers raise and care for our honeybees. They construct and clean hives, induct wild swarms, splitting colonies, mite treatment, collect honey, and ensure the overall health of the hive. No prior bee experience necessary.

Back Office Volunteers

There is always plenty of work that doesn’t involve physical labor. We need volunteers to help with the back-end operations of the farm. This is accomplished through our volunteer committees for marketing, social media, events, membership, website development, fundraising, and community outreach. If you have any of these skills, new members are welcome and needed.

Make sure you find the opportunity that suits you best. For more information, please email veteranshealingfarm@gmail.com, subject line - Volunteering.

Unbroken Spirit

2025 Programs are now open!

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.

2025 Programs are open now and space is limited. Apply Today! In-person dates are: 

• May 20-25, 2025
• July 21-27. 2025, Adaptive Sports 
• Sep 16-21, 2025

Check out the videos from our Spring Wilderness Experience team and Summer Adaptive Team. The team came as strangers and left as lifelong friends. For more information or questions, please email info@unbrokenspirit.org.