Zamrudah Farms
Agro-Therapy for Veterans Living with PTSD
Zamrudah Farms is a nonprofit initiative 501(c)(3) that creates “stand-down” spaces for veterans navigating life after service.
Workshop, retreats and vocational training are designed for veterans in transition, through structured pauses from the daily battle that provide space to land, reconnect, and return with forward-thinking skills and strength.
The Zamrudah Model
Veterans do not need to be “fixed.”
They need community, purpose, and environments that allow them to stand down with dignity.
Zamrudah Farms models community, creativity and land stewardship, to establish sustainable growth for living a meaningful, stable, and productive life.
Not a clinic.
Not a shelter.
A living community space.
The Zamrudah Philosophy
The Zamrudah Operation
Zamrudah Farms operates through:
strategic partnerships with local businesses and hosts
a growing network of mentors, creators, and community leaders
internship and apprenticeship pathways
land-based and community-centered programming
This is a replicable model that can organically grow into a network of stand-down spaces for all communities in need beyond military PTSD.
Zamrudah Farms in Action
Stand-down style experiences that meet short and long-term needs in several ways.
Stand Down Events
Stand Down Days & Weekends
Short-term retreats designed to reset, reconnect, and build peer-to-peer trust and camaraderie. Hands-on crafting of practical items to take home.
Immersive Retreats
3-10 Days
Multi-day structured experiences combining land-based work, facilitated dialogue, creative expression, and partnership programming.
Long-term Internships
3-Month Internship Programs
Longer-term placements that integrate veterans with meaningful work opportunities at local businesses, farms, and creative hosts — building stability, skills, and belonging.
Where you come in
Zamrudah Farms is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization approved for charitable solicitation in the State of Illinois.
Zamrudah is currently:
building its founding Board of Directors
finalizing program structure and partnerships
refining messaging and visual identity
preparing for initial pilot programming
Year one is focused on foundation building and strategic alignment.
Funding Goal
$150,000–$200,000 to support:
direct participant costs (housing, food, transportation)
program staff and mental health support
land use and basic infrastructure
administration, insurance, and evaluation
This investment builds a scalable, replicable model—not a one-time retreat.
Join the Build
If this vision resonates with you, we invite you to build with us.
Become one of our:
strategic advisors and board members
community partners and hosts
internship collaborators
founding donors and supporters
Donate. Partner. Advise.