Big thank you to Steve Lytle, Alex Tostes, and our Salvation Army Bell Shelter friends for hosting the screening of the documentary 'Ground Operations' at the Bell Shelter. The purpose of the screening was primarily to motivate and engage the Shelter’s veteran clients to volunteer at GrowGood’s farm.
Farm Manager Jayne Torres speaking in the Bell Shelter's Dinning Hall. Jayne introduced the movie and spoke about the volunteer opportunities at GrowGood farm for Shelter residents, many of whom are veterans.
The event was spearheaded by Jeff Norman with Home Front Rising (http://homefrontrising.org). Jeff does great work with Home Front Rising, which develops food, housing and career solutions for military veterans.
For those of you who do not know, ”Ground Operations: Battlefields to Farmfields" is an award-winning documentary film about the growing network of combat veterans transitioning into sustainable farming and ranching.
The event was successful not just because over 100 residents watched the film, but a number of veteran residents - inspired by the documentary - have become regular volunteers at the farm.
After the screening, Edgar Hercila, a local farmer-veteran, spoke about his experience in the military, his journey from soldier to farmer, and his successful basil growing enterprise in Anaheim, CA.
Edgar’s story inspires us and we hope to tour his operation soon.