Why I Started GOTG
Gardening aided me in healing my trauma from war and allowed me to serve others again, long after my military service was completed. I have helped create sustainable garden spaces for family, friends, community members, and my model garden at Reed's Organic Farm and Animal Sanctuary in EHT, NJ. In every instance of serving others in this way, I have received so much in return.
It is the hope of GOTG to offer this simple idea to other people, both veterans and civilians. Getting out in a garden space in your own backyard, at a community garden, or other public spaces can help all people heal and come together for a shared purpose. By sowing Peace & Unity Revolution Seeds (seeds from regions of war, conflict, and even genocide), you and your community can also take part in defining Seed Justice, combatting food insecurity, and stewarding healthy and creative communities!
Peace & Unity Revolution Gardens
When I started to work on the idea of Gloves on the Ground, 4 years ago, I called them Platoon Gardens. Back then the idea was to get disabled vets out in the community creating sustainable garden space and focusing on growing with organic means and guiding their efforts with a permaculture philosophy.
After the pandemic startedthe need for healing and the way our platoons might be able to help facilitate this in their respective communities became clear. GOTG Peace & Unity Gardens will be that place to meet when we step into this post-COVID-19 world. It will still be a place for vets to heal the wounds of war, but OUR Gardens will also be a place that vets and their communities get together to reimagine who we are after the collective trauma of this time.
Your Peace and Unity Garden can impact the community positively by providing added food security through sharing seeds and produce. Further, the cooperative education and positive direct action that can happen when we leave our differences behind to grow and heal together can be profound! So let's get out there today and grow sustainably, together, in our Peace & Unity Revolution Gardens!