CAMPBELL COUNTY · COMMUNITY FEATURE
Altavista, Virginia
Valor Farm near Altavista: Faith, Work and Life After Military Service
A closer look at the National Center for Healthy Veterans, its residential community, and a new federal grant that could extend its work beyond the farm.
At Valor Farm near Altavista, veterans live in tiny homes, take part in a structured nine-month program and work on farm projects. Christian faith, shared routines and preparation for civilian employment are central to the National Center for Healthy Veterans’ description of life at the farm.
Now its work could reach further into the surrounding community. In its October 2026 newsletter, NCHV announced what it calls its first federal grant, saying the award would expand assistance to veterans beyond Valor Farm.
A working farm with a community connection
Campbell County includes Valor Farm in its agricultural business profiles. According to the county’s account, Valor Farm’s operation launched in September 2020 near Altavista, along the Otter River. Residents garden and take part in farm activities, while the Healthy Veterans Market sells farm-raised beef, eggs and goods made by veterans.
The market gives that work a connection to local commerce. The county profile describes a preference for veteran-made products, followed by local and regional goods. For a neighbor, shopping there is one way to encounter the organization through the things its community produces.
The farm’s facilities are also changing. NCHV’s October newsletter reports a ribbon-cutting for its rebuilt barn and recent public events at its arena. That is a newer account than the county profile’s description of reconstruction still underway.
What the nine-month commitment involves
NCHV describes its residential program as nine months, with orientation followed by three 12-week phases. Residents live in tiny homes, use shared community facilities and develop individual plans with mentors. The curriculum moves through three broad stages:
Resilience
Establish routines and practices for handling pressure and setbacks.
Recovery
Participate in the organization’s trauma-recovery curriculum with staff and peer mentors.
Reentry
Prepare résumés, practice interviews and workplace communication, and explore internships.
Faith is part of the daily routine
The Patriot Handbook, whose cover identifies an August 13, 2024 revision, describes NCHV as a Christian organization. Its routine includes fitness, devotions, classes, work assignments and communal meals, with worship, reflection and rest on Sunday.
The handbook also directs participants to appropriate professional medical care and says program materials do not replace medical advice. A prospective resident can ask how existing care, appointments and individual needs would be coordinated during the stay.
Trying a trade, preparing for the next job
In his introduction in the October newsletter, maintenance shop manager Aaron Taylor describes five years of service as an Army combat medic and a longstanding interest in automotive work. He says his role includes helping residents explore work opportunities and learn practical mechanical skills.
The handbook spells out the financial terms of program work. Its work-therapy assignments are unpaid, and participants are responsible for outside educational courses through VA or private funds. Anyone planning a stay should review those terms and ask which training costs, work expectations and employment opportunities would apply to their situation.
The new federal grant has a housing focus
The award has confirmation beyond the nonprofit’s announcement. On page 5, the VA’s FY2027 SSVF grantee list names Stone Ridge Foundation under grant 27-VA-489. NCHV’s organizational information identifies Stone Ridge Foundation as the entity doing business as the National Center for Healthy Veterans.
The VA describes Supportive Services for Veteran Families as a housing-stability program for low-income veteran families experiencing homelessness or facing an imminent risk of it. Services aim to help households secure or retain permanent housing.
That makes the kind of help being requested important. A veteran asking about a lengthy residential stay and a household asking for help keeping its housing may need different services. The published award list does not establish the grant amount, a county-by-county service area or a local intake start date. It also does not establish that this grant pays for the farm’s nine-month Christian curriculum.
Read the organization’s 2025 impact report
In its 2025 Impact Report, NCHV reports two graduating cohorts, case management for 52 referrals and 19,365 volunteer hours. Those are the organization’s reported activities for a prior period, rather than a current resident count or an independent measure of long-term results.
The report’s financial section is expressly dated through December 6, 2025. It lists $3,387,450 in revenue and $4,586,197 in expenses, while noting that the revenue figure excludes $2.2 million of prior-year carryover funds. Infrastructure accounts for 65% of its uses of funds, associated with rebuilding and capacity expansion. Readers considering support can use the report as a starting point for questions about current operations and finances.
How Campbell neighbors can take part
NCHV’s Give Help page describes practical volunteer roles, including cooking, cleaning, projects by church or workplace groups, and contributions from people with vocational or artistic skills. It links the organization’s volunteer application and referral information. A useful first conversation starts with the time, skill or specific help someone can offer.
Refer a veteran
Start with the official program page or call 888-317-4677. Referrals may come from veterans, relatives, friends or partner organizations. NCHV screens applicants and currently excludes active addictions from residential admission.
Review the program & referral process →Volunteer your skills
Ask about an individual role or a project for your church, business or community group. Arrange participation through the organization’s application process.
Explore volunteer opportunities →Connect through the market
The county profile describes the Healthy Veterans Market’s farm products and veteran-made goods. Check directly with the organization for current market and visiting arrangements.
Contact the National Center →