Rooted Because of You

Behind the video

Rachel joined the Army at 17 and found herself in Afghanistan as a combat medic at age 18. She has struggled with severe PTSD from unimaginable experiences like treating Afghani children burned by the Taliban and facing starvation after weeks cut off from supplies.

Our Community Gardens program rents garden plots each season to anyone ready to put in the work. We provide the tools, water, soil amendments, and the staff support – all included in an affordable plot fee. The gardener does the rest.

Rachel moved to Missoula a few years ago, after leaving an emotionally abusive husband and struggling for quality mental healthcare. A neighbor offered to help care for her son while she worked 12-hour shifts at a local hospital. She started dating a community gardener, who introduced her to his garden plot. She fell in love with digging, weeding, harvesting – all of it. She applied for a plot last spring and soon she was digging in the dirt at our River Road Community Garden.

Rachel sat down with our Executive Director, Jean Zosel, and me because she wanted to share her story with many. Because she wants to support and share the healing power of gardening and community.

Every gardener has their own story to tell. Stories united by hard work, fresh food, connection – and often healing. The stories of gardeners, staff, volunteers, and you form the roots of Garden City Harvest. We are rooted because of you.

If you are interested in applying for a plot, learn more here!

Music by Purple Planet Music, photography and video by Athena Photography and Cass Krughoff