Heather enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2003 in Civil Engineering. She served in the enlisted forces for 10 years in Emergency Management and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High Yield Explosives career field. In 2007, she deployed in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
In 2013 Heather commissioned as a Critical Care Nurse and from 2016 onward served as an Aerospace Nurse Practitioner in the Medical Group until retirement. Throughout her time in service, she volunteered as a member of the Base Honor Guard at home and abroad.
"I'm thankful for my time in service and especially all the people I have met and friendships that continue."
"FVC has impacted my agriculture business by providing the Fellowship Fund for integral purchases for the farm. The fund has enabled me to purchase equipment for land preparation and organic matter integration that would have otherwise taken many years to save money to purchase. FVC also provides visibility with the Homegrown by Heroes logo."
Wright's FARMacy is a business focused on one's health, the health of the soil, and the health of others. They strive to leave the land better than they have found it – acting as mindful stewards. It started out as a backyard garden and grew into a business with the hopes of encouraging others to grow their own food and to donate to those in need.
They currently grow a wide range of vegetables and some fruit. They are able to grow year-round with cold crops in a high tunnel. They mostly grow tomatoes, cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, basil, collard greens, kale, radishes, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, onions, okra, carrots, pumpkins, watermelon, cantaloupe, and this year added many more cut flowers.
"My transition from military service was abrupt and yet drug out. I planned to stay in the service as long as I could, so the realization that it would be the end of my career coupled with the administrative process had me searching for something of service and purpose. I've always been drawn to the outdoors and specifically fulfilling hard work. I got involved in adaptive sports and competition in that time frame and then started delving into gardening as a physical and tangible outlet. That turned into a business with mentorship from West Virginia Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture. I always wanted anything I did to be aligned with Air Force and my personal core values, so integrity in my business was integral."
Setting up the business and selling produce made Heather feel like she was contributing in a meaningful and healthy way. For her, there are so many aspects of farming that are rewarding that don't show up on the finance paperwork.
"It's teaching someone how to grow their first tomato plant or the beauty that surrounds us every day, if we would just take the time to acknowledge it, and stand in awe."
To Heather, farming is an act of service - to toil by the sweat of your brow. As she has mentioned, so many things that keep people in farming are outside of the books. It's watching a seed grow from something tiny to something large - slowly, with tending, and care, and prayer. It's speaking a benediction as you tuck your newly transplanted plants into the soil for their first night, praying they transition well, and nourish all they bless and feed. It's helping someone who can't help you back and who you may never meet face to face when you donate the fruits (and vegetables) of your labors.
"Having a life of service in nursing and the military, there's a place in my heart that needs to give to others. This has been that outlet and despite the aches and pains, the clean slate every year draws me back. That's a parallel to being a farmer in the United States. An opportunity to craft my own future, to keep showing up, day after day, strive to continually grow, and try not to grow weary in doing good. God bless the U.S.A."
