Could farming be a new form of healing? Absolutely –– rehabilitation centers for those struggling with mental illness or addiction could benefit from farm life.
I returned from living and working on Bodhi Farms in Bozeman, Montana with several new ideas for the farming industry. Only a 20 minute drive from the town of Bozeman, Bodhi Farms is run by a determined Rayner Smith and spans 35 acres, dedicated to maintaining an environment that is sustainable for our ecosystem and their agriculture. These fields of green lay up against the Gallatin Mountains, a beautiful sight you can witness atop the ridge. The wind blows and the air tastes fresh when you take the 5 minute walk to reach the ridge. The breathtaking view shows the mountains that run for miles and the cottonwood creek that flows through the farm.
If you look below, the fields are filled with rows of ripening fruits and vegetables as well as patches of herbs ––sage, thyme, mint and chives–– that are also found in the Greenhouse. To the left of the fields, you can hear the rooster’s call in the chicken coop laying eggs.
In sight from the coop is an arch of willow trees in the distance. Walking through the arch you witness the waterfall that replenishes Cottonwood Creek as it flows towards the man-made bridge. Across the bridge, kids are playing during lunch at Farm Camp where they learn about different plants and pick herbs. Purple and pink wildflowers can be seen blooming next to the bridge along with dogs running through the tall grass. On Sundays from 5-8pm, an outdoor farm stand sells a selection of Bodhi’s produce as well as accessories from other shops in the neighborhood who bring their specialties, such as beautiful handmade necklaces.
VISIONS, a service adventure company, held a 2020 Montana Summer Program at Bodhi Farms as a place to learn of sustainable agriculture and the ways of farming. I had completed a VISIONS program the prior summer, and when I heard of this program I became fascinated by farm life and the thought of living next to the Gallatin Mountains. In the program, a group of teens would sleep in tents on the farm for four weeks.
Traditional farming in America is driven by six techniques, some of which can be found in Bodhi. Agroforestry incorporates trees in between rows of crops in order to conserve trees. Intercropping means growing two or more crops in the same row or bed which conserves space and allows the plants to share nutrients which enhances growth. Crop rotation is a specific order of crops that rotates over different seasons. Cover crops are grown to specifically benefit soil–– they stop the growth of weeds, manage the wearing of the field’s top layer of soil (soil erosion), control diseases and improve the quality of fertility and the crop. These can be easily spotted as they look like grass or legumes. Traditional organic composting is the decomposition of organic material, which is a great fertilizer for plants; weeds are deposited at a big compost which adds nutrients to soil, decreases garbage in landfill and reduces toxins from pesticides or fuels. The integrated farming system combines crops and livestock and has shown beneficial changes in both.
Bodhi Farms is a family farm as opposed to a corporate farm. The distinction between the two being that family farms sell their own produce or sell it to farmers markets while a corporate farm is a family farm that has an agreement with a buyer on what and how much will be grown in exchange for pay. The downside to the corporate farms is that they tend to grow more products to earn more money which leads to deforestation and unnecessary use of fertilizer –– activities that are detrimental to the planet. This relationship can leave farmers and ranchers vulnerable to manipulation by corporations. For this reason, it is important to support your local businesses and farms because they are the foundation of our country and culture. Without them, fast food businesses or chain restaurants would prevail and the beautiful diversity of our country’s food would sink into the shadows.
Over the years, I’ve grappled with anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and depression. I found that a myriad of aspects of the farming life eased my struggles: getting in touch with the earth by planting and harvesting crops, using your hands in a meaningful way to grow food for others or yourself, being able to control something steady in your life like collecting eggs, raising chickens or picking crops like grapes or carrots, expanding your knowledge by learning about different kinds of berries from gooseberries to huckleberries and the seasons when you harvest, being near an area with mountains or stars, and reminding yourself of the beauty of life during a time of struggle. Because of my experience, I’ve come to believe that rehabilitation centers would thrive on farms since I noticed how scaling back to the necessities of life can help you face your present struggles.
