THE FARM
Why We Bought Our Own Farm
TRR owns a 226-acre farm on which intend to build a permanent facility so that our direct-service programs can operate monthly. TRR’s goal is to become the first 100% green, clean, sustainable, permaculture-based retreat and conference center for military veterans and first responders in the United States. The facility will meet or exceed all EPA standards for green building including solar panels, renewable energy, water efficiency, and plant and land conservation, and be ADA compliant.
THE FARM
Why We Bought Our Own Farm
The farm we now own is 226 acres. We are currently leasing over 60 acres to local farmers. The intention is to both grow food for our program as well as to take produce to market to be self-sustaining.
TRR’s home base is New York City, and it currently operates programs out of rented facilities in Warwick, NY.
However, this presents significant challenges:
- Our access to the facilities is very limited, confining us to 2 or 3 programs per year.
- The rented facilities don’t provide what we need. Often, this leaves us with lodging at one facility requiring transportation to the horse farm for equine and other therapies. This is an added cost. It also reduces time for therapy by over one hour each day.
TRR’s new home will:
- Allow TRR to provide dependable monthly programming.
- Position TRR to become an approved provider for DOD, TRICARE, VA and other insurance companies who we can bill for services.
- Provide sources of revenue through corporate and private retreats to support free programming for the populations we serve.
- Enable us to host conferences and workshops as an additional revenue stream.
The facility will also provide dedicated space for:
- Yoga, EMDR therapy and administrative offices, a community room, and a dining area to support the forming of community which is fundamental to the success of our approach.
- Unlimited access to our own horse herd.
- A kitchen in which we will prepare and serve healthy, locally-sourced, organic meals.
- Building our sweat lodge on a permanent and secluded location on site, including an equipment shed and compostable toilet.
- Beautiful outdoor trails for exploring nature.
Farm Team
5 Year Roadmap
Facility Construction Phases
The plan for the construction of the facility is as follows:
Phase I: Phase I and II environmental studies are completed. Next steps are to submit detailed plans to the Chatham, NY Town Planning Board for review; seek funding from NY State Economic Development Grants for the build; and select a construction company after public bidding.
Phase II: Build the roads, install utilities, and construct the 25,000 square foot building that will house a 20,000 square foot indoor horse arena, therapy offices, a staff lounge, kitchenette, and bathrooms.
Phase III: Construct a lodge that will house 25 guests, an industrial-size kitchen and dining area, community room, yoga studio, and gym.
Estimated Build Cost
We engaged the services of Bishop Beaudry Construction Company to provide an estimate of the entire facility build. This is a high-end estimate and there are many ways we can reduce the budget as the cost of materials and transport at the time of estimation was quite high.
Additionally, we intend to take a responsible approach to building out the property as good stewards of the donations we are asking for. Our initial three phases will take less than $5M to build out.
Phase 1: Building Roads $1.8 million and Utilities
Phase 2: Indoor Arena, Offices, $2.6 million and Kitchen
Phase 2a: Temporary Lodging $0.4 million
Phase 3: After we strengthen our fundraising capabilities the plan is to build a lodge that will enable us to become a permanent fixture in the community for local events, conferences, and professional trainings as well as expanded TRR programming.
YEARS 1-3: During Infrastructure build out
- Buy farm property on which to build facilities including a horse barn, an indoor arena, an outdoor arena, a 25- person lodge with kitchen/dining hall, yoga studio, gym, and offices. This
purchase was completed in 2022. The build has not yet begun. - Build the organizational and fundraising infrastructure to enable the organization
to support existing services, grow, and expand. - Develop corporate and other partnerships to secure continued organizational and program support.
YEARS 4+: Post Construction
- Hold one Warrior Camp® program per quarter. The programs will be marketed as a one-of-a-kind treatment option because of the unique therapies, self sustaining model, state-of the-art facilities, and proven results.
- Conduct additional programming for military families and first responders.
- Conduct Workshops and trainings for professionals in the fields of mental health (i.e., EMDR and Equine Therapy) and yoga with an emphasis on Moral Injury repair.
YEARS 2-4: During Construction Phases
- Conduct 1 Warrior Camp® program per month. Accelerate seeking partnerships with major players in the field of veteran’s services and expand brand awareness.
- Conduct corporate retreats and other events to sustain TRR’s nonprofit mission to provide free services for our targeted populations.
- Begin expansion of programs offered such as corporate and/or group team building and conflict resolution, caregivers, and therapists’ retreats.
- Expand approach to scale a suicide prevention program that can be adapted to other populations nationwide.
Plan to Fully Utilize the Facility
To continue to support free programming for our nation’s active military and combat veterans, as well as first responders, we plan to:
Partner with other veteran service organizations to conduct their own programming. This could be a collaboration where they sponsor part of the facility build in exchange for their regular use of the facility.
Rent the facility for professional training in EMDR, Equine Therapy, yoga, and other modalities.
Host conferences, board meetings, and other corporate and local events.
Enable the local community, including farmers, access to the facility for additional services and programs (i.e. – hosting a weekly farmer market).
Job Creation
As it becomes fully operational, TRR’s farm will create jobs in New York State in the following categories:
• Operations
• Management & administration
• Housekeeping
• Farming • Culinary Arts
Board Development
Current: The Board is under expansion and reconstitution, intending to have a 15-member Board in place as soon as possible.
Summary
TRR provides lifesaving and life-changing programs. Operating at rented facilities for 11 years has inhibited our ability to grow and increase our impact on suicide prevention in Active Military and Veterans nationally, as well as to build out our proven approach to the wider Community.
The facility we envision – the first 100% green, clean, sustainable, permaculture-based retreat, and conference center for military veterans and first responders in the United States can be accomplished! The path forward would be a collaborative effort among corporate sponsors, foundations, major donors, local, state and federal agencies, as well as some of the large veteran organizations who do not provide the level of clinical treatment that we do but could have access to the facility for their own programs.
YOU can help support our mission
It is critical that we:
• Become financially and organizationally secure.
• Have a year-round home base of operations from which to grow our direct service programming and training.
• Position ourselves to have a major impact on suicide
prevention nationally and for many diverse populations.