2024 Conference Communications Trailer

JOIN US!
THERE’S STILL TIME TO
REGISTER
The Healing by Growing Farms Team looks
forward to welcoming you on May 18th to our
2nd Annual Northeast Disability and Agriculture
Conference.
This year's conference themed, "My Voice, My
Narrative" promises to be an impactful one.
Our theme focuses on the intersection of mental
health, suicide prevention, united voices,
disability and land access for marginalized
communities. We aim to connect historically
disadvantaged new growers with faith-based
organizations that have unused land they can
donate to survivors to turn them into foodscapes
and healing gardens. This initiative will empower
individuals with ALL abilities to heal through
agriculture and grow food for themselves and
those in need.
THERE IS NO COST TO ATTEND.

REGISTER NOW!
Please note the location of our conference has
changed. We will be gathering at Wisdom House
Retreat and Conference Center
299 East Litchfield Road, Litchfield, CT.
Registration closes Friday, May 10, 2024
Accessibility:
This communication may be accessed both online
digitally for the use of reader apps and offline in PDF
format for those requiring a print format. Please
email
healingbygrowingconferenceteam@gmail.com
for assistance.
Para obtener información en español, envíe un
correo electrónico a nuestro equipo de conferencias
al healingbygrowingconferenceteam@gmail.com.

ATTENTION FARMERS
DON’T MISS OUT!
We want to see you at our conference and will
assist in alleviating the financial burden of
attending.
Farmers’ Stipends
are available to the first
50 farmers to register by May 10th!
Farmers who register early and attend the entire
conference will receive a stipend several days
after the conference to offset financials costs
associated with attending the conference.

We’re Ready to Welcome You!
New Location: Due to our growing number of attendees, we’re thrilled to share that
HBG Farms Northeast Disability and Agriculture Conference will be held in Litchfield,
CT at Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center, 299 East Litchfield Road,
Litchfield, CT.
Parking: Upon arrival at Wisdom House please follow the parking signs to the
designated parking areas.
We will have volunteer parking attendants wearing neon vests for easy identification
and for your convenience. They will direct and assist with parking to ensure you have
a smooth experience and to maximize the use of the space.
Please note: If you have mobility issues, can’t walk long distances, have any other
limitation and/or use durable equipment such as walkers, canes or wheelchairs please
let us know in advance and we will make sure to assign an accessible space.
Registration: Registration will start at 9am and our program will start promptly at
10am. Our volunteer ushers will direct you towards the registration area.
Breakfast: A light breakfast consisting of fresh fruit and biscotti along water, coffee
and tea will be provided.
Lunch: Lunch will include salad, vegetables, and protein choices. In an effort toward
inclusivity and sustainability, Wisdom House does not serve shellfish or beef as
entrées. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options are available and will
be served. Please note that the kitchen is not certified allergen or gluten-free.
Guests with celiac disease or food allergies are advised to bring their own food. A
microwave and refrigerator are available for guest use in the kitchenette area.
Accommodations: Sensory kits and noise canceling headphones are available to
attendees by request only. Items are limited. Email the conference team at
healingbygrowingconferenceteam@gmail.com by Monday, May 13th to reserve items.
Accessibility Needs: Our Volunteers will be wearing a Healing by Growing volunteer
shirt for easy identification should you need any assistance throughout the day.
We look forward to seeing you.
Safe Travels!

LET’S KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE
Masks will be available
for those who wish to
wear one.
Please consider your
health and the health
of others and stay
home if you are sick.
HBG follows all health
guidelines according to
the CT Department of
Public Health.
Remember to:
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you
cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in the trash. If
you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your
elbow, not your hands.
Use proper hand hygiene.
Stay home if you are not feeling well.

Conference Agenda
May 18, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Registration & Light Breakfast
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM Welcome & Opening Remarks
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM Keynote Speaker
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Transitional Break
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Concurrent Sessions
My Voice, My Narrative
Inspiring Faith-Based
Partnerships: Cultivating
Healing Gardens on Unused
Land
12:45 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM United Front
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM Closing Remarks
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM Post Conference Activities
Memorial/Release
Ceremony
Blessing of the Hands

Keynote
Speaker
Joshua “Josh” Allen
Our 2024 keynote address, delivered
by Mr. Allen from the USDA, aims to
empower farmers with all abilities,
including aging farmers and those with
accessibility needs. Mr. Allen will
provide resources and encourage
community advocacy for all growers
when seeking USDA services.
He will also highlight relevant programs and resources available to marginalized communities,
including land access and accessibility services for farmers who need accommodations to
keep farming and growing.
Joshua “Josh” Allen was born and raised in Lake Charles, LA. Joshua, received their
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a concentration in Agronomy from Prairie View A&M
University, Prairie View, TX, May 2014. After graduation, Josh began their career with
USDA as a Soil Conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) in
Hereford, TX and El Paso, TX in 2016 until transferring to Vermont as a Senior Soil
conservationist in 2019. While serving in this capacity, Josh collaborated with local tribal
governments, landowners, and farmers to inform and edify the public on NRCS programs,
eligibility, and the application process to encourage increased program delivery. Additionally,
he served as the LGBTQI+ SEPM with Texas and Vermont NRCS to improve overall customer,
employee, and partner engagement.
Late 2022, Josh was hired as the Outreach Coordinator with NRCS Vermont where he has
fortified relationships with existing partners, while forging new partnerships to increase
diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility of the agency’s resources. Currently, Joshua
serves as the national LGBTQI+ and Disability special emphasis program manager with the
Civil Rights & EEO Division on the Title VII Team.
In their spare time, Josh loves long hikes with their dog Blu, swimming, cookouts, gymnastics
workouts and building community! Additionally, Josh is a musician and plays guitar, piano,
saxophone, in addition to singing, writing, and producing music.

My Voice,
My Narrative
Dr. Ivette Ruiz
Don’t miss Dr. Ivette Ruiz, founder of
HBG, in the "My Voice, My Narrative"
conference theme session! Dr. Ruiz will
share her personal journey and HBG's
story, specifically focusing on disability
inclusion in agriculture. This session is
open to both farmers and community
members.
Her aim is to inspire and empower the audience to find their own voices and craft their narratives,
advocating passionately for their own accessibility needs. Whether you're directly affected by
disability or simply an ally, this session promises to be a powerful call to action.
Dr. Ivette Ruiz has dedicated her career to community service. A bilingual and bicultural third
generation new farmer, first-generation doctoral graduate, and lifelong humanitarian, she has
volunteered for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National American
Red Cross since high school, later becoming the Head of Disability and Integration for the
Connecticut and Rhode Island Region FEMA Territory 1 service area.
Her job, while admirable, required her to be away from her family for extended periods. Preparing
for deployment, Ivette was spending time with her grandchildren, swinging in a hammock, when one
end broke, leaving Ivette with a traumatic brain injury. Her brain injury caused prolonged PCS
(Post-Concussion Syndrome), and her life has not been the same since. Along the journey of
recovery, Ivette found solace in the outdoors. She began spending more time in nature, and was
given saplings to replace the trees on her property that had been destroyed by hurricanes.
Crucially, she also began growing food. Having found peace in farming and tending to the soil,
Ivette desired to share this experience with others who had suffered traumatic brain injuries. To do
so, she founded Healing by Growing Farms (HBG), a Green Therapy Based Retreat and Educational
Center for trauma recovery through farming. The organization is guided by the mission “Sanando
(Healing) Our Brain, Our Spirit and Our Soil,” where trauma survivors learn about gardening,
healing themselves, the environment, and building community. HBG is committed to educating and
empowering farmers, fishermen, forest workers, and other community members whose lifestyles
have been impacted by trauma or a disability with the goal of creating a more accessible and
inclusive environment.

Inspiring Faith-Based Partnerships:
Cultivating Healing Gardens on Unused Land
Attend a session led by RAFI USA and HBG. In this session,
David and Justine will share inspiring stories of churches that
have successfully partnered with such initiatives,
demonstrating the positive impact this approach can have.
They'll also provide attendees with a practical toolkit - a set
of questions to guide churches in determining if establishing
a healing garden on their land is a suitable option. This
takeaway will serve as a valuable resource for those looking
to get involved.
Carie and Kiarah, from HBG, will showcase their expertise in
creating accessible green spaces for healing and mental
health support. They'll also detail scholarship opportunities
available to organizations with unused land.
This session is ideal for those interested in partnering with
local growers to establish gardens that address food
insecurity and environmental concerns, all while promoting
mental health healing within the community.

Meet our Panelists for
Inspiring Faith-Based Partnerships:
Cultivating Healing Gardens on Unused Land
DAVID ALLEN
As the Come to the Table Project Manager, David manages the
School for Food Justice, Faith, and Storytelling and the program’s
events and communications efforts. David received his Bachelor’s
degree from UNC-Chapel Hill before crossing Tobacco Road to
earn his Masters of Divinity from Duke University. A Tar Heel at
heart, David was born and raised in Shelby, NC, and now lives in
Durham with his wife and two cats.
JUSTINE POST
Justine has worked at the intersection of social justice, food
ministries, and local agriculture since 2016. She seeks to serve
faith communities and non-profits by providing resources, tools,
and peer connections to increase their capacity. Justine holds a
Master of Social Work from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master of
Divinity from Duke Divinity School. She lives in southern Alamance
County with her husband Andrew, their daughters Dorothy and
Edith, and their dog Bowie. When she’s not working, she’s usually
making pies or spending time with her family outside.
CARIE STARR
Most recently, Carie was appointed the Director of Operations and
Community Development for Healing by Growing Farms. In her role
she helps to coordinate volunteer programming and outreach
activities. Carie’s ranch is the site of the first Healing by Growing
Healing Garden in Ohio.
KIARAH YOUNG
In December, 2023, Kiarah joined HBG as the Healing Gardens
Alliance Program Coordinator. The program fosters the creation of
accessible green spaces designed to promote healing through
nature. It empowers survivors to find solace and restoration in the
outdoors while fostering a sense of community and environmental
stewardship.

United Front
Dr. Gabriela Pereyra
Join Dr. Pereyra for a dynamic closing
session that brings the day's learnings
full circle! This United Front session is
designed to weave together the
valuable insights and experiences
you've gained throughout the program
from the keynote session to the
breakouts.
We'll engage in a facilitated dialogue, exploring collaborative connections and solutions to
key challenges and opportunities at the intersection of disability and agriculture.
Building on the day's takeaways, Dr. Pereyra will offer practical tips to jumpstart your
journey towards inclusion and accessibility. Learn how to partner with organizations like
"Healing by Growing Farms" to create accessible healing greenspaces. This approach
offers a multifaceted benefit: providing healing opportunities for survivors, expanding the
grower community, reducing food deserts, and promoting overall wellbeing among farmers,
producers, and growers with disabilities. Leave this session empowered and equipped to
make a real difference in sustainability, accessibility, and community well-being.
Gaby Pereyra is a Venezuelan/Uruguayan transplant to NY. Her immense love for plant
ancestors started at an early age, when she began to learn anything and everything about
them, especially their relationship to people in agro-ecosystems. Gaby's current
responsibility as Land Network Weaver is to seed and strengthen relationships, networks,
collaborations, and knowledge exchange among Black, Indigenous, and other land
stewards of color. Over the past 15 years, Gaby has worked alongside farmers and land
stewards from the Americas, Africa, and Europe, learning about the magical trade-off of
carbon, nitrogen, and water between the soil, plants, and the sky. As a descendent of
immigrant and refugee ancestors and as an immigrant herself, her commitment is to the reconnection
of communities and land, under land tenure models that support human beings
and non-humans beings, to create more equitable possibilities for our future ancestors.

Post Conference Activities
Memorial/Release Ceremony
This voluntary post-conference gathering
will offer a calming space for attendees
to unite in reflection and meditation as
they process the content of the
conference. Attendees will come
together in prayer for healing, mind,
body and soul. There will be a moment of
silence to remember those we have lost
and to relinquish pain, hurt, and feelings
of distress.
blessing of the hands
This voluntary post-conference activity
will offer a blessing to those conference
attendees who tirelessly sacrifice their
hands to provide for others.

Conference Highlights
WELLNESS
The Wellness Space will offer attendees resources
on wellness initiatives, share health education
information, and raise awareness of health risks.
SPIRITUAL CARE
Individuals will be available to support attendees’
spiritual or religious needs to aid in healing and
regaining a sense of spiritual wellbeing. Prayer will
be available upon request.
mental & behavioral health
services
A licensed clinician will be available during
workshop periods to attendees who desire to make
use of this resource. These brief conversations will
be strengths-based, nonjudgmental, and focused
on triaging and providing resources. Conversations
will be conducted in a private space; privacy and
confidentiality will be maintained.
RESOURCE Room
The Resource Room will offer attendees
information on provider services and community
resource sponsors including the USDA.

Integrated Care Team
At Healing By Growing Farms, we prioritize your well-being! Our conferences
feature an Integrated Care Team (ICT) with a clinician for mental health and
behavioral health services, a spiritual care person, and a wellness advocate
coach. This team provides a safe space for attendees to access free
resources and guidance on mental health, spirituality, and overall well-being.
Whether you need a prayer, a listening ear, or a helpful resource list, our
ICT is here for you!
clinical neuropsychologist
Dr. Michelle Brisman is a clinical neuropsychologist specializing
in diagnosis and management of brain injuries and other related
neurological disorders. She has assisted these individuals and
their families to maximize recovery and improve their quality of
life for over 25 years. In addition to her private practice
specializing in forensic work (Worker’s Compensation and legal
work), Dr. Brisman joined The Supported Living Group in 2022
as their Director of Clinical Services, overseeing the Acquired Brain Injury program,
serving over 80 clients and their teams meet and exceed their goals. Her clinical work
is comprised of behavior management, improving self-esteem, and overcoming the
physical and cognitive obstacles caused by brain injuries. Using relaxation techniques
and a holistic approach, Dr. Brisman will be available for consultation and education
about how medications can affect the body and mind, how self-care, including sleep
and diet, can improve your thinking and overall health, and how to adjust to the
residual issues from a brain injury.
SPIRITUAL CARE
Crystal, a passionate advocate for Healing by Growing Farms,
has been with the organization since its inception in 2021. Her
dedication extends beyond support; she has volunteered and
served as a valued staff member. Throughout her life, Crystal
has nurtured a deep connection with God. Prayer is an integral
part of her daily routine, and she brings this compassion and
care to the conference. Crystal will be available to guide
participants seeking a moment of prayer or spiritual reflection.
WELLNESS
Stay tuned for more...

Fundraising for a Cause
silent auction
We are excited to announce TWO Silent Auction opportunities for
our 2nd Northeast Disability and Agriculture Conference.
OPTION #1
Up for bid is a $500 scholarship to the prestigious Choate
Rosemary Hall Summer Programs. To learn more visit
www.choate.edu/summer
OPTION #2
We have a scholarship for a Healing By Growing Garden Plot
valued at $800; sponsored by Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT)
and HBG.
Plan to join our NO COST Conference for an opportunity to bid on
these amazing auction items which directly supports our vision and
mission at Healing By Growing Farms.
raffle
Raffle tickets will be available for sale. One lucky raffle
participant will win a La Crosse View Professional Weather Center
with Wind/Rain Sensor. Put a full breadth of weather information
intuitively at your fingertips with the La Crosse® View
Professional Weather Center with Wind/Rain Sensor.
This unit connects to the Sensor and Multi Sensor
to keep you up to date with the time, date, day of
week, indoor and outdoor temperature (°F/°C) and
humidity, wind speed and direction, rainfall
measurements, and more! This weather center
keeps historical records of temperature, wind
speed, and rainfall for your convenient review.

Thank You 2024 Sponsors
Thanks to your generosity, the conference remains free for all
participants. Additionally, we are able to offer stipends to farmers in
need, breaking down financial barriers to attendance. This includes
assistance with childcare, farm care, elder care, transportation,
lodging, and even mileage reimbursement. This also ensures
accessibility tools and support are available, allowing everyone to
participate fully.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to all our 2024 funders,
partners, and sponsors! You play a vital role in fostering an inclusive
and enriching experience for all. If you are interested in becoming a
2024 sponsor or supporter there is still time, please see the information
below. Thank YOU!
“This work is partially supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress
Assistance Grant. Grant #s: 2021-70035-3555 & 2023-70028-
41283, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of
Food and Agriculture."

BECOME A CONFERENCE SPONSOR
This isn't just a conference; it's a lifeline. We empower attendees to
"Take Back Their Narrative" and combat the mental health and stress
that plague the agricultural industry, too often leading to tragic
suicide rates. Through compelling presentations, workshops, and peer
support, we'll help participants reclaim their stories, leaving no room for
harmful narratives spun by others.
Your sponsorship will directly impact access and inclusivity, breaking
down barriers that keep rural and marginalized farmers from attending.
With your support, we can:
Eliminate financial burdens: Provide stipends to attendees, making
participation truly equitable.
Cater to diverse needs: Offer childcare/adult care, noise-canceling
supplies, sensory kits, and on-site personal care assistants.
Bridge geographical gaps: Cover transportation costs, including bus
shuttles, tolls, mileage, airfare, and hotel stays.
Ensure accessibility: Provide accommodations support, sign
language and non-English/Spanish interpretation services.
Empower everyone: Invest in additional staffing to create a
seamless and supportive experience.
Join us in cultivating a brighter future for our farmers and our food
system. We welcome corporate sponsors and donations from individuals
who share our vision of an accessible and vibrant agricultural
community.
Together, let's ensure that every voice is heard, every narrative
reclaimed, and every farmer empowered to flourish.

Become a Sponsor

OUR LOCATION HAS CHANGED
We’ll be gathering at
Wisdom House Retreat & Conference Center
229 East Litchfield Rd, Litchfield, CT 06759

LOCAL
HOTELS
Americas Best Value Inn
Torrington, CT
5 miles
Days Inn by Wyndham Torrington
Torrington, CT
4 miles
DoubleTree by Hilton
Bristol, CT
14.3 miles
Home2 Suites by Hilton Bristol
Bristol, CT
14.2 miles
Hampton Inn
Waterbury, CT
15.2 miles
Residence Inn by Marriott
Hartford Avon
Avon, CT
16.9 miles

Our free conference for farmers, fisheries, agriculture,
forestry, and all food service entities is happening soon.
Farmers and growers attending will receive a stipend!
Registration closes in less than 2 weeks, so don't miss
out. Share this information with your networks and help
us reach as many people as possible.
We look forward to seeing you there!
FARMER’S STIPEND!
Don’t Miss Out!
Register Today!
Farmers who register before
May 10th will receive a stipend
several days afterwards to
offset participation costs.

JOIN US AS A CONFERENCE VOLUNTEER
Volunteer for this event