Mills River Veterans Healing Farm Selected for National Innovation Lab
A Mills River-based farm supporting veterans has been chosen to participate in a national innovation lab for community programs.
A small farm in Mills River that helps veterans recover through hands-on work with the land has been chosen to join a national innovation lab designed to spotlight and strengthen community-based programs. The selection places the farm among a limited group of organizations recognized for developing new approaches to veteran support outside of traditional clinical settings.
A farm-based approach to recovery
Veterans Healing Farm provides structured agricultural activities for military veterans, blending therapeutic gardening, animal care, and skill-building in a collaborative environment. Organizers say the program offers participants a way to rebuild routines, form connections, and address both physical and mental health challenges through meaningful outdoor work.
The farm's model has drawn attention from regional and state partners interested in expanding non-clinical recovery options. Its inclusion in the lab signals growing interest in agricultural and nature-based programs as part of the broader conversation around veteran wellness.
What the innovation lab offers
Participants in the national lab receive resources intended to help them refine their programs and share lessons with peers across the country. Benefits typically include access to expert mentors, peer networks, and exposure to funders looking for effective community models.
For the Mills River farm, the opportunity could help broaden its reach and document outcomes more rigorously. Other veteran-focused initiatives in the region are also exploring ways to grow their impact. The Osceola Chamber's new coalition to support local veterans reflects a wider push to connect services across western North Carolina.
Local context and next steps
Mills River sits in a part of the state with a significant veteran population, and community leaders have worked to expand resources tailored to that group. The nearby Florence Veterans Museum's seasonal reopening is one of several regional efforts keeping veteran history and services in public view.
Farm leaders say they plan to use the lab experience to improve programming, strengthen volunteer engagement, and explore partnerships with local employers, including regional employers like Stellantis that have invested in workforce development across the area.