Planting seeds to conquer addiction: Woodrow Project residents maintain sobriety through farming

Jacque Jones watched as an autumn breeze sent dozens of leaves to land between rows of red peppers and eggplants. Chickens clucked at her feet. "My life couldn't be much better," Jones said. Jones is one of eight women who live at the Woodrow Project recovery house and farm. The North Royalton recovery house and farm started in February as a way to provide stability and training to women in recovery, Woodrow Project executive director Erin Helms said."There's no treatment here," Helms said. "It feels like a home." Residents may attend their own counseling, psychiatry or medical appointments.On the farm, women grow and harvest a variety of produce and collect eggs from their chickens in the hoop house. They've also made some fruit jams, jellies and pies. They sell their items at several farmers markets. There are standards in place for the safety of all residents, Helms said. "There is a problem with unregulated sober living," Helms said. "We go through a certification process."Just as the recovery house feels like a home, the recovery farm feels like a job. Women are paid for their work on the farm as part of Woodrow Project's job training program."Many job training programs are not designed for women in recovery," Helms said. "Many are unpaid and won't work around their schedules."The women spend part of their day working in the farm or hoop house, but may also take some time to meditate by the fire pit, go to a recovery meeting or attend social outings, whether it be a sporting event or a camping trip.