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Revitalized Veteran's Garden in West Los Angeles Serves 1,200 Veterans with Fresh Produce
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A flourishing garden in West Los Angeles is now benefitting 1,200 veterans with fresh produce, thanks to a collaborative effort between UCLA and the VA.
Restoring the Veteran's Garden
The Veteran's Garden at the VA campus in West Los Angeles is experiencing a revival, thanks to the partnership between the Department of Clinical Nutrition at UCLA and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Whole Health Program.
Veteran Jack Kasarjian from Reseda is among those involved in the garden's activities, which include growing mint and other crops to support therapeutic gardening.
New Beginnings
Navy Veteran Marc Michot has been living on the VA campus for the past six weeks and recently contributed to the installation of a drip system for the tomato patch in the garden. This is part of a broader initiative by the VA Whole Health Department and UCLA Health to enhance resources for agricultural therapy.
A Growing Success
According to Katie Fruin, a preventive medicine fellow at UCLA Health, the Veteran's Garden is now the largest of its kind integrated within a health system in the country. While it can cater to 1,200 veterans, the garden had been neglected in recent years due to lack of caretakers.
Collaborative Efforts
In 2021, Jennifer Allen, the Whole Health Program manager at the VA, spearheaded the restoration of the 15-acre garden. As of May, the garden boasts 20 raised beds filled with a variety of crops such as Swiss chard, peppers, and cucumbers.
Beyond Farming
The Veteran's Garden goes beyond just cultivating plants; it also serves as a therapeutic space for veterans in need of a positive outlet. Through the partnership with UCLA Health, the VA's Whole Health Department aims to provide additional resources for agricultural therapy.
This initiative highlights the power of collaboration and the benefits of therapeutic gardening for veterans in the community.
Originally Published: September 25, 2024 at 2:53 p.m.