05/07/2026 | Ohio Behavioral Health Officials Join U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Tour of Medina County Recovery Farm

For Immediate Release:
May 7, 2026

Ohio Behavioral Health Officials Join U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Tour of Medina County Recovery Farm

Program yields positive outcomes by combining peer support with hands-on
job training to help Ohioans overcome substance use disorders

(MEDINA, OH) - Today, Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) Director Tia Marcel Moretti and state and local behavioral health leaders joined U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for a tour of a Medina County recovery farm. The program supports individuals recovering from substance use disorders while equipping them with valuable life skills and workforce training.

"Thank you to Hope Recovery and the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health for the work you do every day to help Ohioans overcome addiction," said HHS Secretary Kennedy. "The programs in Medina County put President Trump's Great American Recovery Initiative into action - treating addiction at its roots with connection, accountability, and purpose."

"Under Governor DeWine's leadership, we have worked diligently to build a system of care that was envisioned decades ago, but never fully realized," said Director Moretti. "We are proud to welcome Secretary Kennedy to Ohio, so he can see first-hand how Ohio is sowing seeds of hope by investing in innovative behavioral health services that transform lives and create lasting recovery."

Located at the Brown-Trump Homestead (4092 Medina Road) next to Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital, the 17-acre Recovery Farm is a collaborative effort among the Medina County Park District, Cathy's House, Hope Recovery Community, and the Medina County Mental Health and Recovery Board. The property features three houses, including a Victorian-era home built in 1874, and several outbuildings.

The program is based on the therapeutic community model, which emphasizes peer support and behavioral change as key components of recovery. Cathy's House operates a certified Level II men's recovery residence on the farm property. The 12 residents currently living there are all enrolled in the farm's curriculum and participate in daily agricultural work as part of their recovery journey.

Over the course of a year, residents engage in a structured yet supportive training program that includes planting and harvesting fresh produce, caring for chickens and bees, and creating recipes using farm-grown ingredients. Participants also develop practical skills in budgeting, planning, science, maintenance, recordkeeping, bookkeeping, marketing, research, and customer-service. Food grown on the farm benefits the recovery community as well as Feeding Medina County, a local nonprofit combatting food insecurity.

"This is a program with a purpose," said Director Moretti. "In addition to promoting long-term recovery and wellness, it helps residents discover their passions while building the confidence and skills needed to pursue meaningful futures."

Following the tour, Director Moretti joined Secretary Kennedy for a roundtable discussion focused on current U.S. Department of Health and Human Services policies and priorities related to mental health and substance use disorders.

"We share Secretary Kennedy's vision for healthier families and stronger communities," said Director Moretti. "We look forward to continuing our partnership to expand pathways to recovery for all Ohioans."

For more information about the Hope Recovery Farm, visit: https://hoperecoverycommunity.org/recoveryfarm

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Additional Resources:
https://www.cathyshouse.org/
https://www.hoperecoverycommunity.org/
https://medinamentalhealth.com/
https://dbh.ohio.gov/
https://www.hhs.gov/

DBH Media Contacts:
Sam Dillon, Chief Communications Officer
[email protected]

Eric Wandersleben, Director of Media Relations and Outreach
[email protected]