Growing ‘a sense of belonging’

Eighteen central Ohio veterans spent summer farming at CFAES’ Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory in Columbus. As participants in a pilot project called the Veteran Farming Program—organized by the Central Ohio VA Healthcare System and CFAES’ OSU Extension outreach arm—the veterans gained practice in farming and gardening while benefiting from the activities’ therapeutic aspects. They graduated from the program earlier this month.

“I used to farm when I was younger,” said Vietnam veteran Bob Udeck, 74. “It feels really good to get your hands dirty again—planting something, nurturing it, and watching it produce.”

Read the full story on our CFAES Stories site. (Photo: Mike Hogan, OSU Extension.)

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