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Veteran Healing Through Gardening & Therapeutic Gardening for Trauma Recovery
Stephanie Trost, the founder of Frontline Gardens, shared the organization’s mission to support the healing journey of veterans, first responders, and Gold Star families affected by PTSD through customized gardening programs. She explained how the program began after her husband, a combat veteran, experienced emotional and spiritual healing through gardening on their farm in Monroe County. Frontline Gardens has built over 100 gardens to date, working with participants to design and construct raised bed gardens through collaborative projects with community groups.
Stephanie shared success stories from the 106 gardens they have installed, highlighting how they have helped individuals find peace and healing through gardening. She described a touching story of a Marine with PTSD who found solace and began to reconnect with the world through his garden, eventually leading to improved mental health and social interaction. The garden program also includes a closed Facebook page for gardeners to share tips and a master gardener for support, as well as monthly UT gardening classes.
Stephanie described their application process, which does not require proof of PTSD and focuses on spiritual healing through gardening. The group discussed the importance of spiritual healing in trauma recovery and the effectiveness of gardening as a therapeutic tool.
The discussion focused on the follow-up support provided for garden installations, where Master Gardeners actively engage with clients through a group messaging thread to address initial questions about pests, soil amendments, and plant care. Most clients, who are typically new to gardening, maintain regular contact and share their progress through photos, with only a few not following through. The organization provides comprehensive support, including guidance from Master Gardeners and the use of quality materials like mushroom compost, resulting in high client satisfaction and successful garden outcomes.
Stephanie shared her experience with garden builds, highlighting the involvement of ROTC groups, high school students, and various volunteers, including individuals from Rock Steady Boxing. She explained the educational resources available, such as UT’s Zoom classes and Knox County Master Gardener videos, which cover topics like tomato pruning and companion planting. Caesar and Marsha discussed the availability of these educational resources and their potential for embedding on other websites. Caesar also inquired about the distribution of excess produce, to which Stephanie responded by encouraging participants to donate to local pantries.
The meeting ended with announcements about upcoming events and opportunities, including a potential rain barrel donation, an open position at Beardsley Farm, and a Food Policy and Advocacy Training opportunity. For more information, please visit Frontline Gardens website at www.frontlinegardens.org