Rooted in the Community: Assessing the Reintegration Impacts of Agriculture on Rural Veterans

Publication date: Available online 24 August 2017
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Karen Besterman-Dahan, Margeaux Chavez, Eni Njoh
ObjectiveTo assess the impact of a Veteran-oriented community agricultural initiative (CAI) on transitioning rural Veterans.DesignConvergent mixed-method program evaluation.SettingA Veteran-oriented farm-to-market CAI in rural Washington State.ParticipantsVeterans who were members of the CAI.Main Outcome MeasuresHealth, well-being, and reintegration were assessed by self-reported data from interview, demographic survey, validated health quality of life measure (Veterans RAND-12 -VR-12), validated reintegration measure (Military to Civilian Questionnaire -M2C-Q), and general satisfaction survey.ResultsVeteran participants were primarily Caucasian (88.4%, n=38) and male (74.4%, n=32) and most had a service-connected disability rating (58.2%, n=25). Qualitative and quantitative data revealed that the veterans participating in this CAI experienced health and reintegration benefits. Results on the M2C-Q, VR-12, and the satisfaction survey suggest that participating in this CAI contributed to improved mental, physical, and emotional health and vocational skills, community connectedness, and interpersonal communication. Qualitative interviews supported quantitative findings and revealed that participating in the CAI provided Veterans with a sense of satisfaction, belonging, and helped decrease the stigma surrounding their Veteran status.ConclusionsVeterans who participate in this CAI reported general improvements in physical and mental health, including improvements in sleep, nutrition, exercise, and decreases in anxiety, pain, depression and medication and substance use, all known factors which impact Veteran reintegration.



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