Veteran Garden: Healing takes root at ICVAHCS

While most of her duties involve lawn maintenance, groundskeeping, and storm preparations, Bruneau felt there was room to create something more meaningful, a place where Veterans can grow food, learn about new foods, and perhaps experience a bit of healing too.

Located near the back parking lot of the ICVA Medical Center, the garden is small but mighty. In it, you’ll find various plants thriving: aronia berries, strawberries, collard greens, turnips, beets, leeks, and potatoes. Each one has been carefully chosen by Bruneau based on what grows best in the area, which plants are less vulnerable to deer and rabbits, and what foods Veterans enjoy.

With help from social workers and Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE), Bruneau obtained seeds to start growing produce around the hospital. Once harvested, social workers deliver this home-grown food to food pantries at local Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and Community Resource & Referral Centers (CRRCs).

“Healthy foods can be really expensive,” said Troy Raymer, a social worker at ICVAHCS who transports the produce. “It’s meaningful for Veterans to have access to fresh staples at home.”

The produce is then distributed to Veterans flagged as food insecure or homeless. Employees say it provides their food pantries with more opportunities for fresh options that many Veterans don’t always have access to.

“I am a firm believer that the more you can grow for yourself and do for yourself,” said Bruneau, “the better your overall mental and physical health is.” She isn’t alone in this thinking. Numerous studies have shown that gardening can reduce anxiety and stress; ease symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); decrease depression; slow the effects of dementia; and boost self-esteem and life satisfaction.

As the wife of a disabled combat Veteran herself, Bruneau has seen firsthand how gardening can improve mental health. “It slows his brain down and slows his body down,” she shared. “It helps him focus on just one task while getting out of his own head.”

Heading into its fourth year, Bruneau hopes the Veteran Garden program will expand further by utilizing additional green spaces for growing produce—benefiting even more Veterans facing food insecurity. From the soil to the dinner table, the Veteran Garden is more than just a source of nutrition—it’s proof that healing and growth can take root anywhere—even in unexpected places.

In just 2025 alone, Bruneau’s on site garden has harvested nearly 300 lbs. of produce that includes spinach, arugula, collard greens, radishes, beets, turnips, carrots, and potatoes. For now, Bruneau and other ICVAHCS employees will continue seeking opportunities to provide Veterans with nourishment for their minds, bodies, and souls—one seed at a time.

The Veteran Garden program is just one example of how ICVAHCS is working to nourish not only the bodies but also the minds and spirits of local Veterans. However, it’s important to remember that programs like this thrive with the support of volunteers who share a passion for making a difference.

If you’d like to be part of initiatives that provide healing and hope, consider volunteering with the VA. Whether it’s helping in the garden or contributing your unique skills, every effort makes an impact.

Visit https://www.va.gov/iowa-city-health-care/work-with-us/volunteer-or-donate/ to learn more about how you can get involved and give back to those who’ve given so much for us.