Nature and nurture: Nova Scotia farm project fights insecurities among veterans
A farm in rural Nova Scotia, owned by two retired military veterans, aims to help support fellow service members through a host of horticultural programs.
Married couple Jessica Miller and Steve Murgatroyd started the Veteran Farm Project in 2018 as a way to keep themselves busy after retiring from the armed forces.
"This farm came up for sale. We came, and even though it was in ruins almost, we fell in love with it," says Miller.
That summer, Miller started growing vegetables. She heard through a friend that a senior couple, who are also veterans, were having food insecurity issues and asked for some of the extra produce.
"That's how the seed was formed, the idea of I can grow, and I can donate, this is great," says Miller.
The Veteran Farm Project seeks to be a safe, enriching, nurturing space, for veterans, mainly women, who are transitioning from the forces and have suffered indignities in service, says Miller.
The first year the project supported 10 families with food insecurities, growing to 40 families in 2020 and now 121 this year.
Murgatroyd says the project is a team effort, as Miller does the growing and he does the building.
"She tells me she needs beds built, I build beds. She tells me she needs a hoop house, I put up a hoop house," says Murgatroyd.
Murgatroyd also runs archery workshops on site. In 2017, the couple competed in the Invictus Games.
Miller says she's overwhelmed by the support the project continues to receive.
"The outpouring of love and generosity has been incredible. The community here has supported us now most of our Saturdays with our farm stand and our plant sale. All of those revenues that we generate go directly back into the project to keep it running," Miller says.
"It’s a never-ending project, which has completely fulfilled me. Going from being a medic and helping my fellow soldiers, I am now still feeling (like I'm)… helping my community."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday in the hush money trial of former U.S. president Donald Trump, prepared to testify about a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.