RLF would like to thank Meijer for its generous donation to make
Agri-therapy for our veterans possible.
In this October episode of Brainstorms, host Dr. Chrisanne Gordon speaks with U.S. Navy veteran Matt Garrett about his journey from the battlefield to the garden.
After serving as a Navy corpsman with two tours in Iraq, Matt discovered healing through agrotherapy— working with the earth to restore mental health and purpose.
Matt shares how this path led him to create the “Heroes Garden” initiative with The Ohio State University and VA Vet Centers, helping fellow veterans reconnect with nature as part of their recovery
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Together they explore native plant restoration, biodiversity, and how rebuilding ecosystems can also help rebuild lives.
Learn more here: https://www.conncoll.edu/media/Garden...
In this episode of Brainstorms, combat veteran Matt Garrett joins sustainability advocate Chuck Lynd for a powerful conversation about nature, mental health, and healing. In recognition of National Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month, they explore how reconnecting with the living world—through native plants, agriculture, and ecological restoration—can support recovery for veterans navigating PTSD, TBI, and life after service.
Matt shares how restoring ecosystems became part of his own healing journey. Together, Matt and Chuck discuss the role of native plants in supporting wildlife, the connections between plants, pollinators, birds, and soil life, and practical ways anyone can boost biodiversity at home.
From winter garden strategies to the science of pollination and seed dispersal, this episode shows how small actions—like planting a tree or shrinking your lawn—can make a meaningful difference for both people and the planet.
As Matt says: “Plant as if your life depended on it—because it does.”