Cannabis company Trulieve recently teamed with Heroic Gardens on a veterans wellness event at Sunflower Farm at Pennypack, 4403 Megargee St. in Holmesburg.
Heroic Gardens is a mental health nonprofit dedicated to helping military veterans and their families experience the healing power of plants and nature. Collie Turner founded the nonprofit in 2018 and serves as executive director.
The Megargee Street site is the former Liddonfield Homes housing project, which was demolished in 2010 after residents had moved out. The 32-acre site is now owned by NewCourtland, a health, housing and social services agency. An InnovAge Living Independently For Elders (LIFE) center opened in 2020.
NewCourtland provided an acre of ground for Heroic Gardens, which planted sunflowers last year. Today, Sunflower Farm is open to veterans and the community to take part in hands-on therapeutic programs and grow food in raised beds.
On July 12, Trulieve – which has three locations in Philadelphia – donated a refrigerator to Sunflower Farm. The refrigerator will be filled with products such as tomatoes, herbs, pepper, squash and kale, all available to veterans and the community.
Angela Moscoso, Trulieve’s regional engagement manager, plugged in the refrigerator as part of the ceremony.
Activities included horticulture therapy, forest bathing and meditative mala bracelet and bead making. In addition, there were giveaways for veterans such as pet rocks, seeds, Bombas socks, flower pots and thank you letters.
Sunflower Farm is also open every Saturday at 8 a.m. for yoga.
Turner said Heroic Gardens has a motto that, “Nature heals.”
“Healing doesn’t always happen in a clinic or office,” she said. ••
