The following reflection was written by a survivor of intimate partner abuse participating in our farm stipend program:

My time here at GreenHouse17 is coming to an end.  I’m really happy to be moving on, but it’s very bittersweet.  I’ll miss this place, the women that I’ve met along the way, the support I’ve had from all the staff, and mostly the garden.  I’ll miss all the cats and the horses.

I had gotten into a routine, and I was just starting to get comfortable.  I wake up early, get my coffee, sit on the back porch and watch the sun come up and then get ready for work.

“I can take what I’ve learned and use it for the rest of my life.”

No matter what I’m doing in the garden, I love it all.

The weeding, planting, and harvesting are my favorite and most rewarding.  It’s been so great to see the vegetables growing especially, the tomatoes and apples and the flowers. I’ve learned a lot about flowers, herbs, and just random stuff.

I can take what I’ve learned and use it for the rest of my life and I’m so grateful for everything and everyone in it. It will always have a special place in my heart…