Veterans & Civilians build stronger communities together
Veterans
We are a place you can find purpose & camaraderie again. We serve as a professional stepping stone, giving vets an opportunity to build their resume and their individual skill sets. Opportunities for vets to get involved include employment, volunteering, internships, and work-study.
Note: Activities with us do not have to be limited to peer-support, farm, or market - we have veterans helping out with organizational development, fundraising, business and community networking, and educational projects.
Civilians
We show you how to truly live out the phrase: "Thank you for your service". We provide a means for veterans and the community to work alongside each other. By sowing seeds in the fields together, we also sow lasting friendships and help bridge the gap between the military veteran and civilian populations.
A day on the farm with our vets removes previously held stereotypes and shows our community that veterans are assets and allies in the sustainable agriculture movement. The honor and support we’ve received from the community has been invaluable. We couldn’t exist without you!
Businesses & Organizations
Live your values authentically. At Growing Veterans, one of our proudest accomplishments is giving community groups and small businesses a constructive avenue to do more than “talk the talk”.
Whether you are looking for a way to show veterans within your own ranks that you value their lived experiences or simply trying to create an unforgettable team building experience in alignment with your CSR culture. Growing Veterans provides the same “you belong here ” spirit to groups as individuals.
Growing Veterans is also happy to partner with businesses as an organic grower, to inquire about purchasing wholesale produce, hops, & honey, or creating a value added product partnership with Growing Veterans, please contact us.
Learn More About Our Programs
Virtual Peer Support Training
The Principles of Peer Support are at the heart of every moment at Growing Veterans, from the field to our online classroom. Our Online Peer Support Training course is an excellent choice for those who want to take their personal skills to the next level. Growing Veterans’ formal Peer Support Training is a hands-on learning experience, developed by veterans and mental health care professionals - for veterans, civilians, mental health providers, businesses, and organizations committed to the wellness of veterans.
This multi day online training has been accredited by the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association (WMCHA) and is eligible for 20.5 CEU's.
Throughout the year this course is held at varying times to suit different time zones and types of schedules. Peer support training is a great choice for those looking to get involved but may live too far away to visit our physical farm locations.
Dirt Therapy
This is where the magic happens! Dirt therapy is the action of using agriculture & time in nature to improve mental well being. This is our main program and most participants first taste of the peer support methodology we follow at Growing Veterans. All are welcome to our 2 farm locations:
The Lynden farm- Located just north of Bellingham. This farm operates year round, and is the hub most of our workshops are hosted from. The Lynden farm is conveniently located in close distance to 5 colleges & universities.
Whidbey Outpost- Situated on the historic Greenbank Farm campus this farm operates spring-fall. This location is located just south of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island & North of Naval Base Everett.
It’s impossible for a veteran to fully come home without being an active member of their community again. In this we strive to bridge the gap between veterans and civilians. Vets are welcomed home, stereotypes are broken, & friendships are formed.
