Below is an Article that was written about our organization and one of our favorite recent projects
Dr. Debra Marcelle-Coney (far right), U.S. Army Veteran and founder of the Community Faith Outreach Ministries collaborated with community partners to install the first Veterans Community Micro-Farm on November 12, 2018 at the West Boca Library. She is pictured here with community volunteers (left to right) Andy Ansola, Community Liaison for Recovery First; Simone Hoover, Soldiers Angels; Art Kirstein, PBC Cooperative Extension Economic Development Agriculture Coordinator; and Kimberly Wier, J.P. Morgan Chase.
West Palm Beach, Fla. – Life in urban areas has many benefits but it also comes with some challenges. The loss of green space and the rise in food deserts has motivated people living in urban areas to explore innovative ways to engage in small-scale agricultural projects such as micro-farming. Dr. Debra Marcelle-Coney, a U.S. Army veteran, saw the need for micro-farming in her community and decided to take action by collaborating with community partners to develop the Veterans Community Micro-Farm Project.
“As a woman veteran who works with fellow veterans in a clinical setting and as a beginning farmer, I feel it is my duty to assist veterans and other interested individuals in learning how to grow their own veggies, herbs or fruit,” Marcelle-Coney explained. “The Veterans Community Micro-Farm Project is designed to foster relationships, stimulate camaraderie and encourage unity in our local areas.”
Community Faith Outreach Ministries along with volunteers from the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, Soldiers’ Angels and Recovery First worked together to install the first Veterans Community Micro-Farm on November 12, 2018 at the West Boca Library.
Marcelle-Coney who is also an addictions therapist at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center added more talents to her already extensive resume by becoming a certified horticulturalist and establishing the Community Faith Outreach Ministries organization. She established the non-profit organization with like-minded individuals who are grounded in their faith with have a strong willingness to give back to their local community. Marcelle-Coney and her team spearheaded the creation of the Veterans Community Micro-Farm Project through a collaboration with Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Agriculture Economic Development, Palm Beach County Libraries and the Quantum Foundation.
Volunteers from the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, Soldiers’ Angels and Recovery First worked together to install the first Veterans Community Micro-Farm on November 12, 2018 at the West Boca Library. According to Marcelle-Coney, it is the first of its kind in the southeast region of the United States.
Community Faith Outreach Ministries along with volunteers from the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, Soldiers’ Angels and Recovery First worked together to install the first Veterans Community Micro-Farm on November 12, 2018 at the West Boca Library. Pictured left to right are Simone Hoover, Soldiers Angels; Andy Ansola, Recovery First; Laura Connors, West Boca Library Branch Manager; Nardy Harris, CEO – 1k, Rakes, Bags & Brooms; Art Kirstein, PBC Cooperative Extension Economic Development Agriculture Coordinator; and Kimberly Wier, J.P. Morgan Chase.
Community Faith plans to provide regular produce distributions from the micro-farm to two area organizations who assist veterans experiencing homelessness. The organization will also conduct informational sessions on diseases such as diabetes, lung and heart cancers and mood disorders; and use the project to promote healthy eating, education and training.
Marcelle-Coney says that Community Faith will also provide samples of fresh produce to individuals and families who attend the monthly informational sessions on diseases and practical ways to prevent them through their 2-tier service delivery process.
When asked about her expectations for the future, Marcelle-Coney says that she hopes more people will join in growing healthy produce in their own yards, pooling their resources together, seeing the results of their labor and enjoying the benefits of a healthy mind, body and overall well-being. She also hopes the concept of the Veterans Community Micro-Farm spreads throughout Palm Beach County and the country.
Community Faith is looking for individuals who wish to volunteer their time at the micro-farm on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. or 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. If you are interested in Volunteering at the Micro-Farm, please call 561-596-2117 after 5pm.