HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — A farm in Hendersonville has done something unique to tackle mental health among our nation’s veterans.
What You Need To Know
At the Veterans Healing Farm, veterans are growing and donating produce and flowers to support other veterans
The healing farm also hosts workshops to help educate members about suicide prevention
Michael Morano spends most of his time on the farm at the apiary, where a team of six veterans work with the bees
At the Veterans Healing Farm, veterans are growing and donating produce and flowers to support other veterans.
From raspberries and eggplants, to bouquets of flowers, the simple things at the farm have done much more than just fill Michael Morano's home with full plates and pots.
They have helped him in more ways than one.
“The farming,” Morano said. “Just being able to get down on my hands and knees and putting my hands into the soil, along with all of the friendships I've made, have been some of the greatest healing tools that I've ever had in my life. That’s my doctor and that’s my medicine.”
Morano served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 22 years.
He said he has struggled with depression, but the farm has given him an opportunity to work alongside veterans facing similar challenges.
“When you meet with other veterans, and they’re going through some of the struggles that their past is still playing out and still affecting us in certain ways, it’s so healing to be able to share those experiences and sometimes even offering each other tools,” Morano said.
The healing farm also hosts workshops to help educate members about suicide prevention.
“That’s near and dear to my heart because I’ve lost several close friends due to suicide, and they were all veterans,” Morano said.
On top of it all, Morano was diagnosed with an incurable medical condition six years ago.
Doctors told him it would take his eyesight. He decided to travel across 32 states and explore the country.
It's what led him to North Carolina and to discovering peace here at the healing farm.
There’s one particular part of the farm where Morano has found his outlet: the apiary, where buzzing is music to his ears.
“When I show up, I'm in a state of bliss,” Morano said.
Morano's connection with the bees transformed his experience on the healing farm.
Al Yeck is the manager of the farm and views Morano as a mentor. He refers to Morano as the “bee expert for the farm.”
A team of six veterans work at the apiary. Morano hopes to continue increasing his knowledge and teaching other veterans what he has learned about beekeeping.