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Cultivate Hope, Harvest Change: Support Veterans Becoming Agricultural Leaders

Support Local Food Heroes: Your Donations Help Support Valuable Programs

When we prioritize local, Organic food, we prioritize the health and well-being of our families, our community, and the environment. Will you make Local Food a priority by supporting LFH?

Your Support Grows More Than Food

Every donation to the Local Food Heroes Program creates ripples of positive change. Your generosity directly funds our veteran training initiatives at Veterans Haven North, where we’ve transformed unused spaces into productive growing areas while providing hands-on agricultural education.

Your support helps veterans discover new purpose through sustainable farming while building skills that lead to meaningful employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. Through our three-phase approach—workshops, volunteering, and apprenticeships—we’re creating pathways for veterans to become “Local Food Heroes” who strengthen food security in their communities.

Help Us Expand: The Market Garden Initiative

We’re ready to take our veteran training to the next level through our comprehensive Market Garden Initiative. This expansion will transform our current garden education efforts into a production-focused training site using proven intensive growing methods.

Your investment will:

Create real-world agricultural training opportunities for 10-15 veterans annually

Establish a one-acre demonstration site showcasing sustainable farming practices
Develop clear pathways for veterans to build agricultural careers
Create a replicable model for institutional land-access partnerships

Local Food Heroes Highlights

Transformed an unused courtyard at Veterans Haven North into a productive demonstration garden
Provided over 200 hours of hands-on agricultural training to veteran residents
Developed a comprehensive three-phase program (workshops, volunteering, apprenticeships) creating clear pathways for agricultural careers
Created strategic partnerships with agricultural organizations including NOFA NJ, Rodale Institute, and Operation Grow Inc.
Secured specialty crop mini-grants to diversify our growing operations with high-value herbs and vegetables
Established production of specialty garlic as a cornerstone crop, creating a sustainable funding source for program expansion

Implemented regenerative soil-building practices that improve growing conditions while teaching ecological stewardship
Built relationships with local food pantries for distribution of garden produce, directly addressing community food security
Documented growing practices and training methods to create replicable models for other veteran-focused agricultural programs
Created a volunteer program that brings community members and veterans together through shared agricultural experiences
Initiated business training components teaching veterans how to develop viable agricultural enterprises
Developed curriculum materials specifically designed for veteran farmers transitioning to civilian agricultural careers
Successfully navigated three growing seasons, demonstrating program sustainability and continuous improvement

When we started the Local Food Heroes Program in 2023, we had little more than a grassy courtyard and a vision to help veterans rediscover purpose through agriculture. Today, that space has been transformed not just physically into gardens, but into a place of healing and opportunity. I’ve witnessed veterans who came to us struggling with transition find new hope through working the soil and growing food for their community. Your support doesn’t just fund gardens—it rebuilds lives and creates agricultural leaders who will strengthen food security in their communities for years to come. Thank you for believing in this vision and helping it grow.

Eli Slossberg, Director, Local Food Heroes Program

Other Ways to Give

Gift of Assets:

Planned Giving:

LFH Program “Wish List” Items (contact Eli @tyeshouse.org@gmail.com):

Utility Trailer(s)
Farming Tools & Implements for our Veteran Residents
Commercial Kitchen Equipment & Supplies