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Thank you to Healing By Growing Farms for hosting an outstanding farm visit in East Haven! We are grateful for the opportunity to learn more about your Healing Gardens and to share the experience with guests from Senator Chris Murphy’s office, Connecticut NOFA, land trust representatives, and community members.

Dr. Ivette Ruiz, founder of Healing By Growing Farms, created the “Healing Garden” as a therapeutic space for people recovering from brain injuries and trauma survivors. It’s amazing what her and a team of dedicated volunteers produces on a tenth of an acre in a suburban neighborhood: 25 varieties of fruit, tons of vegetables, a koi pond, and a crew of therapy animals including ducks, rabbits, chickens, and, of course, the incomparable Cheeto, a massive rooster. All of the food grown on site is donated to recovering patients, local nonprofits, and neighbors in need. 

Our role in facilitating the tour is to inspire land trusts and conservation organizations to consider how they can play a role in supporting inclusive and accessible agriculture through community gardens on their preserves and with community members. Beyond this highly productive and welcoming farm in East Haven, Healing By Growing Farms has inspired and assisted partners in Puerto Rico, Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, Iowa, and Mexico to launch healing and memorial gardens, and collected a wide range of mental health and wellness resources in English and Spanish.

Learn more about Healing By Growing Farms via this video by Connecticut Public.