Los Angeles (KABC) – A unique collaboration between UCLA and the Department of Veterans Affairs has revived the Veteran’s Garden at the West Los Angeles VA campus, creating a 15-acre therapeutic oasis for veterans. The garden, capable of growing food for 1,200 veterans, has become a source of healing for both body and mind.
Air Force veteran Cyntrea Cotton has seen remarkable improvements in her health since spending time at the garden. Cotton, who previously struggled with high blood pressure, PTSD, and other medical conditions, now comes to the garden to collect fresh produce like collard greens, tomatoes, and herbs. She credits the garden with helping her reduce medication use, allowing her to focus on holistic healing.
“This place is great for peace and nourishing my body, so it’s like my healing serenity spot,” said Cotton.
For Navy veteran Greg Claghorne, working in the garden has provided a deeply therapeutic experience. Suffering from PTSD, he has found solace in planting seeds and harvesting crops. “This allows you to get out of your head, give back, and share with your fellow servicemen,” Claghorne shared, emphasizing how gardening has helped him reconnect with nature and his community.
The Veteran’s Garden, spearheaded by VA staff, volunteers, and UCLA health professionals, grows a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers. This effort not only serves as an outlet for veterans to improve their well-being but also nourishes the wider veteran community with nutritious, organic food. The initiative, however, goes beyond gardening. It seeks to address food insecurity and provide an avenue for veterans to experience the therapeutic effects of agricultural activities.
The project leaders hope the success of the Veteran’s Garden will inspire similar programs across the nation. The garden stands as a model of agricultural therapy, combining the benefits of physical activity, healthy food, and emotional well-being for veterans who have served the country.
As Cotton and Claghorne attest, the Veteran’s Garden is much more than a place to grow food—it’s a space for healing, community, and a renewed sense of purpose for those who have given so much.
