Helping Hands Blog

We planted five new witch hazel trees on the farm this summer and it felt like exactly the right thing to be doing. The land here has always been part of our program, not a backdrop for it. This season we leaned into that more deeply than ever, foraging, planting, making, and learning from what grows right outside our back door. Nature is not just where we hold our retreats. It is one of our most powerful teachers. And caring for it is some of the most meaningful work we do.

Military Widows on the Farm This spring and summer we had the honor of hosting Military Widows and Gold Star Mothers for Healing Hope Retreats here on the farm. Women arrived from near and far carrying so much, and left a little lighter, a little more rooted, and wrapped in friendships that we know are going to last long after they drove back down the mountain. What happened in that arena and around that bonfire will stay with us for a long time. These retreats exist because

Our veteran spouses showed up for themselves and each other in a big way this season. Time in the arena with our healing herd has a way of cutting through everything that does not matter and getting right to what does. What these women discovered about themselves, their relationships, and their own strength over just a few days on this farm never ceases to amaze us. We partner with horses because they are the most honest partners in the room. They do not respond to what you s

From the Heart of the Farm As we step into 2026, I find myself feeling deeply grateful and genuinely excited. This year marks our tenth year of service at the Special Liberty Project, and I honestly cannot believe how far this community has come. What began as a simple dream rooted in nature, connection, and service has grown into something far beyond anything I could have imagined. The photo above is from our very first launch party and fundraiser that still stops me in my t

The mountain feels different this time of year. The air is crisp, most of the leaves have fallen, and the glamping retreat area is quiet. The horses stand peacefully in the golden light of the afternoon, their breath rising like clouds in the cool air. It is a time to pause, to look around, and to feel deep gratitude for the year that has passed and for the many hearts that have helped make it possible. At the Special Liberty Project, this season always brings reflection. We

When I think about the journey of healing for veterans and their families, I feel a deep sense of respect and hope. The path is often...

If you had told me years ago that horses would change my life, I probably would’ve laughed. Not because I didn’t believe in their beauty or strength, but because I simply didn’t know. I didn’t know how deeply they could heal. I didn’t know how much they could teach. And I definitely didn’t know how much I had to learn about trust, presence, and letting go.

When you meet Cory Merritt, you’ll notice something immediately—his quiet strength. It’s not the kind of loud or boastful strength you hear about in movies. It’s the kind that’s earned through decades of service, shaped by saltwater, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to something bigger than yourself.

When people ask why we chose Franklin, North Carolina as the home for the Special Liberty Project, the answer always comes back to one word: magic. On our very first night in these mountains, our then-10-year-old daughter watched fireflies flicker across the horse pasture and whispered, “This place is magical, Mommy.”