Operation ECO Vets has a mission to enable personal, educational, and professional growth opportunities specifically tailored to our Veteran community through a focus on self-reliance, sustainability skills development, and social connections in a scenic, natural environment that fosters overall healing and wellness. 

Operation ECO Vets started as a project “Green Path Veterans Farm” under Florida Veterans for Common Sense Fund. This partnership was key to OEV  emerging as its own 501c3 organization.  A farm with a mission to help veterans grow food and attract nature to help them heal from wounds of war and life. Easterseals of Southwest Florida was our partner, and we are so grateful for their support and collaboration. Through ecological design, we joined forces to create a certified organic farm at Easterseals Happiness House, a regenerative Food Forest, and the Healing Sensory garden for veterans and the Easterseals VIP Academy for children with disabilities.

OEV found a new home, a “place in the sun” at Paradise Creek in Bradenton. Thanks to a generous donation from CNY Community Foundation and Philippe Schwimmer, we started a Medicinal Herb gardening program. And as always, we will continued to host our popular farm-to-table luncheons and dinners.

We are currently looking for a new place to call home and put down roots. We look forward to the opportunity to resume our Bootcamp trainings, Farm Brigade volunteering opportunities, VetRec family gatherings and start our Horticultural Therapy program.

We so appreciate your support and we look forward to your participation as we Help Veterans Grow.