Growing Healthy Veterans, an organization in North Chicago dedicated to healing veterans through horticulture and providing healthy food for the community, received $150,000 to expand operations, thanks to State Senator Adriane Johnson.

“We are extremely excited about this funding,” Growing Healthy Veterans Board President Ellen Ewing said. “Our garden plots are all claimed, and this site has so much potential to help end the food desert in North Chicago.”

The funding will bring Phase II of the garden to fruition, tripling the amount of growing space and beautifying the site.

“This organization directly supports veterans in the Lake County community combat post-war trauma,” said Johnson (D – Buffalo Grove). “We have a significant veteran population in our district and it is important they have resources that support them when they return home.”

Growing Healthy Veterans was co-founded in 2016 by Marshall Fox, an Air Force veteran, and the late Lukan Paulus, who was certified in sustainable agriculture from the College of Lake County and horticultural therapy from the Chicago Botanic Gardens.

In 2017, North Chicago offered GHV the use of a 14-acre city-owned property. The group established the North Chicago Community Garden, serving veterans, active duty military and local residents. GHV helps gardeners cultivate healthy crops and teaches sustainable agriculture skills.

“The work that is being done to support veterans is imperative,” said Johnson. “Through the expansion of GHV, even more veterans and community members will benefit.”

The task now, is for Growing Healthy Veterans to fully fund its operations