Gardening and addiction recovery have a lot in common. Both take time, care, commitment, and the right environment to grow and heal. This connection is proven every day at Blanchet Farm in Oregon, where residents in recovery build skills, reconnect with the land, and grow nourishing food through gardening. 

We strive to offer opportunities for hands-on work outdoors while also being thoughtful stewards of the land we’re entrusted with. 

Blanchet Farm residents built raised beds for the garden.

Gardening offers people a way to experience and take part in recovery. Planting seeds, caring for growing plants, and harvesting food can be both healing and deeply symbolic for those working to rebuild their lives. It also provides a meaningful sense of purpose and accomplishment. 

“I find peace in the garden and I always have,” says W.D., a current Blanchet Farm resident. “I love being outside and working on something. You learn a lot of valuable skills along with it. You also get an amazing return.”

The vegetable garden at Blanchet Farm is well underway thanks to the leadership of a current resident with a green thumb. So far this spring, residents have planted greens, carrots, radishes, and onions, just to name a few. And several varieties of tomatoes are already starting to perk up around custom-built trellises. 

The first crop of radishes was sent to Blanchet House to be used for meals. 

Blanchet Farm is blessed with 62 acres in Carlton, and we strive to be thoughtful stewards of the land. This means working to improve current practices as well as implementing small-scale sustainable agriculture techniques.  

Permaculture and Sustainable Practices

Looking ahead, Blanchet Farm is establishing a perennial foodscape in partnership with Edible Landscapes of Yamhill County. The design will be guided by the permaculture ethics of Earth care, people care, and future care.  

In a permaculture food forest plants work together in tree guilds to help each other grow and thrive. The fruits and vegetables planted will return year after year and are low maintenance, so the crops will be self-sustaining and provide for current and future residents. 

James Vander Meide and Vicki Gunn of Edible Landscapes collaborated on the design for the Blanchet Farm food forest design. Both individuals have certificates in permaculture design.

Additionally, employing conservation best practices results in rainwater retention and erosion control. Soil-building methods, such as thoughtful use of companion plants, mulch, and cover crops, lead us into a regenerative system that not only feeds people but helps heal the earth.  

“On the human side, the data is clear that gardening has a host of therapeutic benefits. The people working in this food forest will see mental, emotional, and social regeneration. We are thrilled to collaborate with Blanchet Farm to bring this food forest to life,” writes Charlene Doland, the president of Edible Landscapes. 

Ultimately, with the Blanchet Farm garden and food forest, we hope to nurture and enrich the lives of our residents while cultivating a healthier landscape for years to come. 

Ways to Support Blanchet Farm’s Gardening Initiatives

• Visit the McMinnville Farmers Market. Residents will be harvesting crops from the garden to sell at the Blanchet Farm booth on May 29, June 26, and July 24.
• Donate plant starts for the food forest. Email Gabby at gthuillier@blanchethouse.org for the plant list.
• Email Michael at mseid@blanchethouse.org to inquire about group volunteer opportunities at the farm.

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Blanchet Farm is teaching men in addiction recovery the art and science of beekeeping.

By Gabby Thuillier

Blanchet Farm’s unique beekeeping program is bringing the rewards of honey and healing to men in addiction recovery. For the first time since its inception, small-batch honey from the farm is available for purchase. This sweet achievement is an example of how the farm’s unique program supports addiction recovery by encouraging meaningful and creative hobbies.

Greg Vergets holds a jar of honey he helped to produce as a participant in Blanchet Farm’s beekeeping program.

Beekeeping for Recovery

Addiction recovery can be a long journey. It requires patience, resilience, and finding constructive ways to manage stress and care for oneself. For some, alternative approaches to recovery can be particularly beneficial in overcoming addiction and maintaining sobriety.  

At Blanchet Farm, residents participate in therapeutic work and healing activities, including beekeeping. This ancient practice is proving to be a transformative part of some residents’ experience in our program.  

Volunteer beekeepers Katy Fackler and Brian Wagstaff regularly visit the Farm to teach the residents how to care for the bees and their hives.

Beekeeping offers a constructive outlet for stress and emotional turbulence. Tending to bees requires regular attention and care. This routine instills discipline and provides a sense of purpose. Observing bees and managing hives also requires attention to detail and patience. These skills contribute to personal growth.   

Additionally, beekeeping is a holistic activity that positively impacts physical and mental health. The hands-on work provides physical activity. The peaceful nature of bees and connecting with the environment can be incredibly soothing and grounding.  

 “Beekeeping gives me structure that adds to the recovery I’m working on,” –Greg V. a participant in the beekeeping program at Blanchet Farm.

Harvesting Honey

Seeing the results of one’s hard work is rewarding. A thriving hive or a jar of fresh honey builds self-esteem and increases confidence. That is why Blanchet Farm residents not only learn how to tend to the hives, but they also have a hand in harvesting and jarring small batches of honey. 

   

Limited-edition Blanchet Farm honey is available for purchase through our online shop. Jars can also be found at these Yamhill County locations: Source Farms, Park & Main, K & M Wines, and Good Company Cheese. Your support provides a safe place for people to heal and build a stable life for themselves and their families.

Here’s to honey, healing, and hope.

—

Learn more about the farm’s social enterprise program and how we plan to bring goods grown, produced, and crafted by our residents to the community.

Have questions or want to get involved? Email Blanchet Farm’s Social Enterprise Manager at gthuillier@blanchethouse.org.

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The event was MC’d by Executive Director Scott Kerman. Long-time board member Rich Ulring gave a blessing and led the crowd in a call-and-response sing-along. A new resident of the farm, William, shared a land acknowledgment and his appreciation for the opportunity to stay at the farm. Blanchet House Board President Mary Ann Walker thanked donors and staff who persevered to complete the project.

Lead donor Dr. Jeff Heatherington with The Heatherington Foundations for Innovation and Education in Healthcare spoke to attendees about the importance of supporting children through health care and school to set them up for healthier lives as adults.

Ross Sears, who’s managed the farm for more than a decade after going through the program to gain sobriety told the crowd, “When we get here, we don’t have a lot to feel good about. The farm gives you something to feel good about.”

The decorative saw used to cut the ribbon was hand-painted by Rob Moody while he was a participant in the program at Blanchet Farm. The saw will be hung in the new dormitory.

Pictured: Newberg, Oregon-based artist Angelina Octavia stands next to her oil painting of the landscape surrounding Blanchet Farm. The painting will hang in the new facility and prints will be given to donors.

Pictured: Guests at Blanchet Farm’s Grand Opening were asked to write messages of encouragement to hang on a plum tree that will be planted near the new facility.

Pictured: William, a resident of Blanchet Farm, stands next to the welcome sign made by previous resident Lucas Pattison. William spoke at the grand opening of Blanchet Farm’s new facility and delivered a land acknowledgment.

Members of Blanchet House & Farm’s Board and donors saw a ribbon at the Grand Opening of Blanchet Farm’s new facility. Also pictured are Director Scott Kerman, Farm Manager Ross Sears, and Dr. Jeff Heatherington who gave $1.25 million for the construction of the new building. The decorative saw used to cut the ribbon was hand-painted by Rob Moody while he was a participant in the program at Blanchet Farm.

Demand for inclusion into the farm’s unique rural program led the organization to embark on this ambitious project to construct a 14,000-square-foot mixed-use building. In addition to dormitories, there are now offices for social ventures like the farm’s honey and woodshop that will support the nonprofit mission of the farm. A state-of-the-art kitchen and dining area, space for job skills education, as well as communal areas for the community, will provide an elevated living space. The communal areas will provide room for Yamhill County residents to attend on-site Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings.
The new farm facility will operate using clean solar energy.

Blanchet House was selected by Portland General Electric’s 2022 Renewable Development Fund to receive a grant for a solar energy program at the farm. The Renewable Development Fund, which awards grants for clean energy projects in the community, is fully funded by PGE’s Green FutureSM customers.
Schommer & Sons are the general contractors and SERA Architects are the project architects. Major funders for this project include the Heatherington Foundation for Innovation and Education in Health Care, PGE Foundation, ECHO Fund, the Joseph E Weston Foundation, and HEDCO Foundation, along with other generous supporters.

–by Julie Showers

It’s not too late to support the important program at Blanchet Farm. Donate today and you will be invited to tour and celebrate the new facility at our community event on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10-1. DONATE >>

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By Julie Showers

Natural beekeeping expert and advocate Alasdair MacKenzie‘s time with bees began conventionally with keeping wooden box hives in his yard. However, frustrated by the recurring challenges of bee mortality, he looked to nature for answers. By observing wild bees in their natural habitats, Alasdair started experimenting with housing environments, leading to the birth of a passion for natural log beekeeping.

“I experimented with a regular box hive and cardboard box, I came back in February on a sunny day at 32 degrees, and all the bees in the wood box were dead and the bees in the cardboard box were alive. The wood box condenses water onto them so they are soaking wet when it gets cold. Moisture was killing them in the box because they didn’t get airflow. The log hives have really big entrances so the wind is whipping through there with needed airflow,” Alasdair explained.

Natural beekeeping advocate and expert Alasdair Mackenzie with a hive log he installed at Blanchet Farm. Photo courtesy of Alasdair Mackenzie.

Unlike traditional beekeeping methods that often rely on chemical treatments and interventions, Alasdair’s log hives are left mostly untouched. The bees find their food, develop resistance to pests through natural selection, and thrive in their log homes. These log hives, crafted from old trees that would otherwise be discarded, offer the bees a sanctuary where they can live and prosper as nature intended.

“I have 80-plus logs out in the world right now. You don’t have to do anything when you do natural beekeeping,” he explains. “When you’re keeping bee boxes you get pissed off because the bees keep dying and you keep putting money in and you get nothing in return. With the log hives, there is no financial transaction going on. I don’t charge for the logs or bees. Don’t treat them, feed them, or open the box up, and they’ll thrive.”

Natural Beekeeping Honey

The goal of most small-scale beekeeping endeavors is to produce honey and wax for personal use or sale. With natural beekeeping, honey is something you must wait for. Unlike conventional methods where honey production is often prioritized and accelerated, natural beekeeping allows bees to produce honey at their own pace, emphasizing patience and respect for the bees’ natural rhythms.

“You’ll get large bricks of aged honey from log hives that will make you never want to eat honey from a store again,” Alasdair enthusiastically shares. “The honey is wrinkled up and really dark. There’s something going on between the log and the bees as the log breaks down. I think that is affecting the honey. The old-timers talk about this.”

Natural beekeeping advocate and expert Alasdair Mackenzie lifts the lid off a swarm he collected to introduce to a log he installed at Blanchet Farm. Photo courtesy of Alasdair Mackenzie.

The Healing Power of Bees

For Alasdair, beekeeping is not just about conservation, it’s also a therapeutic endeavor. The act of tending to the bees, observing their behaviors, and connecting with nature has been instrumental in his journey of alcohol recovery. The bees, in their mysterious way, have become his companions, confidants, and therapists.

“I have a life now where I don’t drink and do a lot of bee work. What I came to discover through AA, drinking is not good for me and I was disconnected from nature–disconnected from creation and a creator. I don’t know what that really means but we’re not connected like we used to be 300 years ago. When I got back into nature I felt a bit more at peace, less bothered by things,” Alasdair shared.

Alasdair’s natural beekeeping methods have garnered attention and sometimes controversy. While some advocate for chemical treatments to combat mites, Alasdair stands firm in his belief in the resilience of bees and their ability to learn survival techniques. His logs have survived harsh winters when traditional box hives failed, showcasing the effectiveness of this alternative approach.

“Bees know what to do, they’ve been doing it for thousands of years. Parasites like mites are developing resistance to chemicals so you have to come up with more innovative ways. Natural selection is the best way for immunity. They groom each other for mites and toss them out of the hive,” Alasdair says. “We do need commercial beekeepers to pollinate so we can feed 8 billion people but the bees are becoming dumb and don’t know how to care for themselves. The bees have become dependent on us.”

His bee hive logs, now numbering over 80, have been placed in urban gardens, CSAs, and now Blanchet Farm in Yamhill County, Oregon. At its core, Alasdair’s mission is rooted in mental wellness. His rediscovery of nature and the therapeutic benefits of beekeeping have been transformative, helping him find peace and purpose without the crutch of alcohol. The therapeutic benefits of bees are something he hopes will help the residents staying in Blanchet Farm’s addiction recovery program. The natural log hive installed at the farm by Alasdair will complement the already thriving therapeutic beekeeping program created and sustained by beekeepers Katy Fackler and Brian Wagstaff. The two volunteer to teach the men staying at the farm how to care for the bees and their hives.

Natural beekeeping advocate and expert Alasdair Mackenzie opens up space in an old log for a swarm of bees to inhabit at Blanchet Farm. Photo courtesy of Alasdair Mackenzie.

Telling the Bees

In European folklore, people would “tell the bees” about significant life events, believing that the bees needed to be informed to maintain harmony in their colonies. Alasdair embodies this tradition, conversing with his bees and sharing his joys and challenges with them, further deepening his bond with these remarkable creatures. It’s also a healing exercise for Alasdair and he believes it can be for others in addiction recovery.

“Bees represent the bridge between life and the afterlife. Tell the bees what your problems are,” he urges. “I put some logs out in a CSA and the farmer kept calling to say that when workers see the bees flying and coming around it lifts their spirits and keeps them company.”

Alasdair MacKenzie’s journey from conventional beekeeping to natural beekeeping is a testament to the resilience of nature and the healing power it holds. Through his work, he not only supports the conservation of bees but also promotes mental wellness and a deeper connection with the natural world. As we face increasing environmental challenges, Alasdair’s approach offers a beacon of hope and a reminder of the beauty and resilience of nature when left undisturbed.

Learn more about natural beekeeping from Alasdair on his YouTube channel 18Bees. 

Learn more about Blanchet Farm’s addiction recovery program here.

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Blanchet Farm Needs Funding to Complete Construction and Open Doors to Oregonians in Need

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Yamhill County, OR [April 09, 2024] — Blanchet Farm, a one-of-a-kind rural program for addiction recovery, is nearing completion of new facilities to meet the growing need for recovery spaces in Oregon.

With addiction rates soaring across the state, the demand for free and effective recovery services has never been greater. Blanchet Farm, nestled in the countryside of Yamhill Country, has long been a refuge for individuals battling addiction. Founded in 1962 by Blanchet House, the farm offers a hands-on approach by immersing participants in meaningful work with animals and gardens. There’s also a woodshop to learn new skills and express yourself.

Recognizing the urgency of the addiction crisis, Blanchet House embarked on a bold plan to expand the farm’s capacity by constructing a new 24-bed dormitory for men. Once open, the spaces will provide a pathway to overcoming addiction and homelessness that will benefit families, communities, and the state.

Blanchet Farm’s new dormitory is nearly complete and scheduled to open in September 2024. Photo by Michelle Lagos.

However, Blanchet Farm cannot open the doors to the new building until it raises the final $1 million funding to complete construction. The organization is calling upon the generosity of individuals, businesses, and organizations across Oregon to help raise the funds needed to complete construction and support its ongoing programs.

The new farm facility will operate using clean solar energy. Blanchet House was selected by Portland General Electric’s 2022 Renewable Development Fund to receive a grant for a solar energy program at the farm. The Renewable Development Fund, which awards grants for clean energy projects in the community, is fully funded by PGE’s Green FutureSM customers.

Capital Campaign

To learn more about Blanchet Farm and how you can contribute to the fundraising campaign. Click Here >>

Finish the Farm Campaign

There are many fun ways you can get involved to help raise money for Blanchet Farm. Click Here >>

Media Information

Note to producers and editors: High-resolution images, interviews, and additional information are available upon request. For inquiries, please contact Julie Showers at jshowers@blanchethouse.org.

The post Funding Blanchet Farm, $1 Million Away From Opening New Doors appeared first on Blanchet House.

By Julie Showers

In a poignant turn of events, Aaron Conard, who once found refuge at Blanchet Farm to overcome addiction, is now among the crew building the farm’s new dormitory. Employed with TT&L Sheet Metal Inc., Aaron is leading a skilled crew fabricating and installing custom metalwork. His unexpected appearance was a pleasant surprise to Blanchet Farm manager Ross Sears.

“It was so cool to spot Aaron up here working on the building. He’s a real success story!” says Sears, who spent time with Aaron 12 years ago as residents at the farm, trying to gain sobriety in its recovery program.

While Aaron’s involvement with the new dormitory may not be a headline-grabbing story, his quiet contribution to the project resonates with staff and others working to rebuild their lives from addiction.

“Returning to Blanchet Farm, this time as a worker on the dormitory project is surreal,” says Aaron. “It feels like a full-circle moment, and I’m grateful for the chance to give back in this way.

Former Blanchet Farm resident, Aaron Conard, installs metalwork on the new dormitory.

New Dormitory Will Give More Men a Chance to Rebuild

The new dormitory is a critical initiative by Blanchet House to assist more men struggling with addiction in rebuilding their lives. With a total cost of $9 million, the farm is actively seeking to raise more than $2 million to complete construction, ensuring that more individuals can find support in their journey toward recovery.

Aaron’s job and sobriety exemplify the mission of Blanchet Farm and the need for construction of a bigger dormitory.

“I pulled up to Blanchet Farm on my work order and I had no idea it was the same place. I thought it must have been sold or turned into something else. It was just a flood of memories,” Aaron says.  “It’s been 12 years and now here I am working on building the new dorms on the place.”

A Commitment to Recovery

Beyond the construction site, Aaron’s commitment to recovery is bolstered by the support of his family. Married for seven years, Aaron and his wife, Brittany, have two children. Aaron’s journey is about personal redemption and creating a stable and nurturing environment for his family.

“As a husband and father, being part of this project is not just a job, it’s a way to provide for my family and show them the positive changes I’ve made,” Aaron says. “Everybody goes through rough times. I’m not there anymore.”

His triumph over adversity inspires others to stay the course despite the many challenges to recovery.

“I see the potential in this new place and it’s going to be so much better,” Aaron said about the new facility. “I’m excited that more people are going to be there.”

Every contribution to the new dormitory at the farm, no matter how seemingly ordinary, is part of a larger pursuit of healing and hope.

Learn more about Blanchet Farm and the campaign to rebuild the dormitories at BlanchetHouse.org/blanchet-farm-capital-campaign.

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By Julie Showers

We usually think of alcohol and drug addiction as something that impacts just one person, but it can have a far-reaching effect on families. For Dan Keenan, a carpenter from Massachusetts, his battle with substance abuse had been a struggle since his teens. As his family witnessed him spiral deeper into addiction, they began to fear for his life.

“It had been challenging for my parents. It got to the point where things were pretty bad and we talked about it as a family that we thought we should say something to Dan,” recalls Jeff Keenan, one of Dan’s brothers. “We told him, ‘We really want to support you but you need to take ownership and take this step to check yourself into detox. We’ll be here to support you and to figure out how to get yourself back in the right place after.’”

Recovery often begins with a critical moment, and for Dan, that moment was prompted by his family’s realization of the gravity of his struggles. With their encouragement, he made the courageous decision to confront his addiction head-on by entering a local detox program.

“Things kept getting worse and worse. I was struggling to get through life. I wasn’t happy and finally just had enough. My family was great and very supportive. They helped me get checked in to detox,” Dan recalls of this pivotal moment in his life.

Dan Keenan feeds the chickens at Blanchet Farm.

The Quest for the Right Rehabilitation

The Keenan family faced the challenge of finding a sober living program where Dan could stay after he left detox. They believed that if he were to stop abusing substances for good he would need to remove himself from his friends and former environment. However, most rehabilitation programs were financially out of reach for the family. So, they all scoured the internet for a way to help him.

Jeff, who lived in Portland, OR during this time along with their father, looked for a program near them. He found Blanchet Farm, a free program in a beautiful country setting that seemed unreal in what it offered for men looking for a place to gain sobriety.

“This is too good to be true,” Jeff remembers thinking. “I looked all around but programs were very expensive, like $3,000 to $10,000 a month. We were all willing to chip in financially, but that’s not something we could sustain. I found this unicorn in the farm but had to figure out how to make it work from afar.”

Back in Massachusetts, Dan received a call from Jeff to tell him about Blanchet Farm.

“My brother says check out this place I found. I researched it while I was in detox and thought ‘I’m going to go stay out on a farm in the middle of Oregon?!,’” Dan recalls from his apartment in Vancouver, Washington, just across the river from Portland.

On Thanksgiving Day, Dan’s family picked him up from detox and brought him home for dinner. Not wanting to risk an opportunity for him to be around alcohol or drugs or his old friends, they put him on a plane to Oregon that evening. They didn’t even stop by his old apartment. Jeff and their dad would pick him up at the airport and drive him to Blanchet Farm the next day.

Dan Keenan, far left, with residents of Blanchet Farm.

The Unique Approach of The Farm 

What sets Blanchet Farm apart is its holistic approach to addiction recovery. The more than 20 men residing at the farm stay active, wake up early, attend AA/NA meetings, and spend time with peers in recovery. Participants take on responsibility the first morning of their stay by caring for animals like pigs, chickens, and goats. Caring for the animals offers therapeutic benefits and helps them regain responsibility and a set schedule.

“I started with the chickens,” Dan recalls of his first days at the farm. “Walking into the chicken coop with hundreds of chickens was new. The chickens got annoying because that’s a lot of noise going on. But you’re not just sitting there in your head all day too. I think that is one of the best parts about it. A big chunk of your day is taken up with work. It’s good for your body and mind. It was a big help for me.”

The farm community also encourages participants to discover new ways to enjoy their free time without the use of substances. Unstructured hours can be dangerous for people in recovery.

Disc golf, a sport that involves tossing frisbees at a target, became an important part of Dan’s recovery. He and the other residents at the farm built a disc golf course. He and a few friends he met at the farm now participate in tournaments together on the weekends around the Pacific Northwest.

“We built some baskets and put up a little course around the farm. That was the best part of the farm. When everything you’ve done revolves around drugs one of the thoughts in my head was, ‘Will I enjoy life being sober?’” Dan says. “It’s something to do sober with sober friends. I found something that I loved to do while I was at the farm. I play all the time now and in tournaments. It’s the number one thing that I enjoy doing.”

Addiction Recovery is Inspiration for Others

The Keenan family’s experience underscores the fact that when families unite to support their loved ones in their battle against addiction, remarkable transformations can occur. Dan’s journey, backed by his family’s unwavering support, gives hope to those facing similar challenges.

“I will have 6 years in a couple of weeks. It’s not something I make a big deal about, but it really inspired me when I would go into meetings and see people get coins for multiple years, so maybe it would inspire someone else. And it’s a testament to the farm that it can help with long-term sobriety,” Dan added.

His family feels good about this journey of healing too.

“I am now closer to Dan than I have ever been in my life. This whole experience has brought us so much closer. Our relationship as a family has gotten so much stronger. That’s the stuff that really matters. I don’t know how to put a value on that,” Jeff says. “We talk about how proud of Dan we are and what an amazing turnaround he made. But we don’t tell that story without talking about the farm because the story doesn’t happen without the farm. We couldn’t be more grateful or appreciative.”

Help Rebuild Blanchet Farm!

We’re rebuilding the dilapidated dormitory at Blanchet Farm and need your help to complete construction by summer 2024. Help give more men a second chance in our free rural program. Donate Now >>

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Oct. 1, 2023 — The public phase of Blanchet House’s campaign to rebuild Blanchet Farm, located in Carlton, OR, begins today. The Building Pathways Home campaign aims to raise $9 million by the Fall of 2024 with construction already underway. 

Ground was broken for a more than 14,000 square feet mix-use facility on May 31, 2023. The new building will benefit the rural and urban community by providing a pathway for up to 25 men to overcome addiction and homelessness. There will be offices for social ventures to support the nonprofit mission of the farm, a state-of-the-art kitchen and dining area, space for job skills education, as well as communal areas for the community. The communal areas will provide room for Yamhill County residents to attend on-site Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings.

Blanchet Farm was opened in 1962 as a place of refuge and recovery for people struggling with addiction and other challenges. Its facilities are in disrepair and desperately need to be rebuilt. Unlike traditional recovery programs, Blanchet Farm offers a hands-on approach by providing an opportunity to care for animals, tend gardens, and gain job skills through woodworking.

Blanchet House Executive Director Scott Kerman observes the construction of a new facility at Blanchet Farm, August 2023. Photo by Michelle Lagos.

“Our farm program has been incredibly successful at helping people change their lives for the better. But the facilities are worn out. They were not designed with a recovery program in mind,” says Scott Kerman, Blanchet House’s Executive Director. “What we’ve learned is that helping someone become housed takes time, a safe place, and individualized support.”

The new facility will operate using clean solar energy thanks to a grant from Portland General Electric’s 2022 Renewable Development Fund. The Renewable Development Fund, which awards grants for clean energy projects in the community, is fully funded by PGE’s Green Future customers.

Schommer & Sons are the general contractors and SERA Architects are the project architects. 

In announcing the public phase of the campaign, Blanchet House announced that $6 million has been raised toward the total goal of $9 million. The total major gifts from the Heatherington Foundation for Innovation and Education in Health Care, PGE Renewable Development Fund, the Joseph E Weston Foundation, and HEDCO Foundation, along with other generous supporters.

In support of the public phase, on Oct. 3, Blanchet House will participate in a day of giving with live interviews throughout the day on KATU Channel 2 in Portland.

For more information on the Building Pathways Home campaign, visit the campaign website at https://blanchethouse.org/blanchet-farm-capital-campaign.

MEDIA CONTACT: Julie Showers, Communications, jshowers@blanchethouse.org, 917-620-7627

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After many attempts to gain long-lasting sobriety, Rob Moody, 57, needed something different–an unorthodox approach to addiction recovery. A friend recommended he try Blanchet Farm in rural Oregon, a free program occupying 62 acres outside Portland. For a city dweller, farm life would be new to Moody.

Blanchet Farm in rural Oregon. Photo by Kaveer Rai.

“I knew I needed to do something different,” Moody says. “For someone broken like me, four months in a treatment program wasn’t enough time. Inpatient treatment never worked for me with the writing curriculum.”

The initial months at Blanchet Farm were particularly grueling as he endured the withdrawal process from Methadone. Methadone users can experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms like depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and poor concentration for up to two years. He found he was distracted from the symptoms. The farm’s hands-on approach to recovery engages participants in tasks like caring for chickens and pigs to help them regain a sense of purpose.

“I never thought I’d enjoy living out in the country. It started with the animals,” Moody says. “Walking the goats. I’d lie down for an hour in the trees watching the goats eat.”

In addition, Moody was able to find solace in making art. He transformed a room in a barn into an art studio where he created remarkable pieces.

Rob Moody works on a drawing in his studio.

“After work, I would spend the rest of the day painting. I wasn’t sleeping because I was titrating off Methadone so I was putting out two to four pieces a night. It was just coming out of me,” he recalls. “If you look at all of the paintings I made then you’ll see a light illuminating from the center. Maybe it’s the spiritual waking people talk about it.”

For Moody and others, a traumatic childhood spent in and out of foster care led him to self-medicate with substances. He’d tried many times to quit using drugs including during stints in prison.

“Drugs work really well as an anti-depressant and for anti-anxiety, until they don’t,” he says.

Reflecting on his time at the farm, Moody expresses profound gratitude for the opportunity to rediscover forgotten aspects of his identity. He unveiled his concealed generosity, kindness, and empathy, traits he had never fully recognized before.

A resident of Blanchet Farm waters the chickens. Photo by Kaveer Rai.

“I think it was the connection. Everybody there was in the same boat. There was no judgment. Several guys asked me, ‘How do you do it? How are you happy day and after?’ Moody recalls. “One word it’s gratitude. Look around. Look at what you have here.”

Moody believes that it is his moral duty to improve his own life while positively impacting the lives of others. Driven by his transformation at the farm, he is pursuing a degree in psychology with a minor in art. He aspires to incorporate art therapy into his future career as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC).

Moody’s dedication to helping others and giving back is a testament to the profound impact of programs like Blanchet Farm.

“The farm allowed me to pick up the pieces. It allowed me to discover pieces of myself that I didn’t know existed. Time to process,” he says. “Give yourself a chance.”

Blanchet Farm’s supportive environment and nurturing community have not only aided Moody in rebuilding his life but have also provided him with the means to become a catalyst for positive change in the lives of others.

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After serving two tours in Afghanistan, Airborne Paratrooper Lindsey Stolz was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A disorder in which a person has difficulty recovering after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. Back at home with his family in Oregon, he abused drugs and alcohol to cope. His substance abuse put a strain on his marriage and he left his family to get help with recovery.

Veteran’s Affairs (VA) got him into substance abuse treatment programs but he would soon relapse. The traditional approach to recovery wasn’t working for him. He needed something different.

“If I knew that a place like Blanchet Farm existed, I would have come sooner,” Stolz says. “The things that have really helped me here are the solitude and working with animals. I never really thought of myself as an animal person. I realized that with PTSD it can be tough to do social stuff. Even though I love talking to people it can leave me feeling worn out. So, to go down to the pigs and be able to think, ‘What do they need right now?’ It makes me feel really good. I get to show some love and feel some love without having the stress of “Oh, did I do it right?”

The farm outside Portland in Carlton, OR, offers men something traditional rehab programs do not, the opportunity to do meaningful physical work daily. Residents of the farm rise every morning at 5 a.m. to begin assigned chores. Gardening, cooking, caring for animals, beekeeping, woodworking, and building maintenance keep each man busy until 2 p.m.

Lindsey Stolz tends to a pig kept for therapy at Blanchet Farm in Oregon.

Pigs Help Veteran With Addiction Recovery

Farm Manager Ross Sears assigns every new resident to the care and feeding of the five large pigs kept for therapeutic purposes. The farm also keeps goats, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats, and bees.

“It lets a guy kind of catch his breath,” says Sears. “Besides teaching accountability, the animals give the men here a reason to get up in the morning because they know they’ve got to get out there and make sure the pigs are fed and taken care of. Having a routine like this makes it easier for them when they do transition out of here.”

After three months of living at Blanchet Farm Stolz says he’s gained a better understanding of his past decisions and is making a plan for his future with the help of a Case Manager.

“Don’t give up on people.”

Lindsey Stolz works in the vegetable garden at Blanchet Farm in Oregon.

“I know this place is responsible somehow. When I’m out working in the garden with my hands in the dirt, it’s grounding me. The farm helps the body recalibrate. It forces your brain and body to simplify. I’ve gotten a little of the ability to zoom out. The work gives me time to reflect,” he says.

The farm also provides a fun place for Stolz’s two young daughters to visit him during his recovery. He hopes to one day mend his marriage and family completely.

“I feel blessed,” Stolz says. “Don’t give up on people. I have been shown grace here.”

-By Julie Showers

You can give a veteran like Lindsey a chance to heal by donating to Blanchet House & Farm.

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