Every day we lose 24+ veterans to suicide brought on by PTSD. The problem grows worse every year. Something must be done to end this national tragedy. This is why we have started this program. Liberty Farms will train veterans and their families and provide all the equipment and support they need to become farmers in a small space (750-5500' sq), even in an urban environment, to help them heal and to provide a good, solid income for themselves and their families and we will do this free of charge to the veterans we help. The concept is called Horticultural therapy (HT).History & PracticeHorticultural therapy (HT) is a time-proven practice. The therapeutic benefits of garden environments have been documented since ancient times. In the 19th century, Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and recognized as the "Father of American Psychiatry," was first to document the positive effect working in the garden had on individuals with mental illness.Our training facility, to be built summer 2015 in centrally located Woodward, Oklahoma is in a quiet country setting far from the hectic life of the big city. Here there will be a large scale greenhouse aquaponics system where the candidates will live and work for 8 weeks or more while participating an immersion training program covering all aspects of this production system.We arrange travel to our facility and the candidate veteran will live on site in comfortable housing about the size of a 2 bedroom apartment complete with laundry and kitchen. Candidates are encouraged to bring their families along and share in the training experience. They will learn to plant, care for, harvest and package the fish and vegetables produced, proper food handling techniques and water quality training. Upon completion of the training program each candidate will be evaluated for suitability for the program and what special tools or equipment will be required for the installation on their property back home.