After two years of disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a move to a new location, the Veterans Employment Base Camp and Organic Garden in New Bern is set to reopen March 22.

Having relocated VEBCOG’s garden, buildings, tools, fruit trees, and growing beds from its former home near the Stanley White Recreation Center to a more visible site at 1235 Pollock St., founder Lovay Wallace-Singleton said she is excited to welcome the public back. 

“Between moving and COVID we’ve kind of had to keep a low profile. We are getting back out into the community and letting people know we’re here and are available for assistance,” said Wallace-Singleton.

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VEBCOG will be open Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., with the farmer’s market open the first and third Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Formed in 2012, VEBCOG works to help disabled, disadvantaged and homeless veterans acquire employment, agricultural skills and veteran-specific information. The garden provides transitional employment for homeless veterans as well as access to fresh food for community members through its on-site farmers market.

As COVID-19 begins to wane throughout Craven County, Wallace-Singleton said she hopes to hold more events and bring in more veterans to work at VEBCOG.

Veterans who work in the garden plant and harvest fruits and vegetables, from cucumbers and bell peppers to corn, beans and peaches. They are also provided the opportunity, through VEBCOG ‘s partnership with N.C. Works and Craven Community College, to attend resume classes and job fairs and seek advice on legal issues.

“We want to connect with the community a lot more so we’re trying to partner with the cooperative extension to bring some of their classes here,” Wallace-Singleton said. “One thing we’re looking at is possible  bringing their master gardener program to bring here as well.”

In addition to the new location, VEBCOG will also have a few new features this year. In addition to new banners out front, the garden area will include new benches and tables with umbrellas that double as charging stations. 

Wallace-Singleton said VEBCOG’s website is also being revamped to allow customers to make purchases online.

“If they’re on their way home they can swing by and pick up a box,” she added. “I’m very excited about what we’re going to be able to do this year. I think we’re going to be humming.” 

VEBCOG’s mission has also undergone changes, with a new focus on community outreach, such as a recent event in Havelock’s Harlow community where volunteers handed out bags of seeds to residents. 

VEBCOG will also be working more closely with Religious Community Services in New Bern to assist the area’s homeless population by providing them with employment and a quiet, therapeutic environment.

“With what we do we’re able to provide them with maybe part-time employment, something they can put on their resume, because sometimes that’s what you need,” Wallace-Singleton said. “If there are veterans that want to come out and volunteer we want to give them the chance to do that. To give them a spot where they can just chill and talk or not talk.”

Wallace-Singleton said VEBCOG will also be continuing its pay-by-donation program, which began last year.

“We had fresh produce out and if you came in then you paid by whatever you could donate,” she explained. “If you couldn't donate then that’s fine. The main thing is getting the word out about it.”

Wallace Singleton said other plans include a cooperative agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service that will allow local veteran farmers to partner with the University of Mount Olive. She said VEBCOG is also working with the veteran-owned Boling Farms in Havelock to provide the base camp with seedlings for kale, spinach and other plants. 

Wallace Singleton said she sees the garden and base camp as a neighborhood “conduit” for area veterans.

“We might not be able to provide housing, we might not be able to provide clothing, but I know a guy So being able to network has been really helpful for us,” she stated.

Wallace-Singleton, who also serves as the executive director for the Veterans Stand-down, said the annual event will be expanded this year to include an entire week of services for veterans. 

Normally a one day event, she said this year’s Stand-Down will be held at the National Guard Armory in New Bern during the week of Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11.

Did one event that was smaller than stand-down, didn’t include as many organizations:

“Because of COVID we weren’t doing a whole lot of physical interaction. We had to change our mode of operation and try to still do direct services but make it as minimal contact as possible.”

The Veterans Stand-Down was canceled last year due to the pandemic.  Sponsored by the NC Veterans Employment Base Camp and Organic Garden (VEBCOG) along with NCWorks Career Center and Cherry Point Baptist Church, the event serves homeless and disadvantaged veterans as well as family members of veterans and active duty personnel.

Services provided at past Veterans Stand-Downs have included: veterans benefits counseling, homeless prevention, suicide prevention, recovery and mental health, housing resources, women vets-specific services, educational programs and employment opportunities.

Wallace-Singleton said the new, weeklong Stand-Down is an attempt to take a more preventative approach to issues that impact veterans.

“We’re just trying to keep them from getting in a bad situation,” she explained. “Or if you are in that situation then here is how we can help you. Some of these organizations don't have a lot of discretionary funds, but together we’re all able to do something.”

“Let’s see what we can do to get you back whole,” she added, “and once we do that we’re not just throwing you out there to the wolves, we’re still here.”