Vanessa Lubiner

Vanessa Lubiner is a Sustainable Agriculture Instructor at Talmar Horticultural Therapy Center in Baltimore County, affiliated with the University of Maryland Extension and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She leads the Veterans Affairs Farming and Recovery Mental Health Services (VAFARMS) program since 2021, focusing on making farming accessible to marginalized groups, including military veterans seeking mental health treatment. Talmar’s farm integrates therapeutic horticulture with agricultural production, emphasizing programs over profit. The farm operates on 10 acres, actively cultivating two acres of vegetables, herbs, mushrooms, and maintaining bee hives through partnerships like Mission Believe and Hank’s Honey.

Her educational background includes AmeriCorps farming roles and forest education. Vanessa advocates for sustainable practices, employing integrated pest management, organic methods, and hand tools to minimize environmental impact while prioritizing community engagement. She emphasizes body safety in farming and collaborates with organizations like the Jewish Farmer Network and Herban Cura for professional development.

Talmar’s initiatives include a farm stand, donations to food banks, and social enterprises like beekeeping and mushroom cultivation. Vanessa’s work bridges therapeutic goals with vocational training, supported by long-term partnerships with the VA, Baltimore County Recreation and Parks, and the University of Maryland Extension.