Ironing Money A Journey of Faith, Family and Freedom from Addiction

"Ironing Money" tells the story of Dennis Scott Farmer, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Legacy Village – one of the country's only privately ran Veterans recovery centers. Dennis was born to young parents in a rural part of California's Central Valley. His tumultuous upbringing would lead to a pattern of bad behaviors - not the criminal kind that land you in jail, but the mental, emotional, and physical kind that leads to addiction and death. Lying, deception and all-out debauchery were on the menu as Dennis entered adulthood – not that he had any idea what being an adult meant, let alone a productive one. He was moving on a whim, changing jobs without thinking, and had a total lack of commitment. Those were the characteristics he excelled at. All the while, the trusted friend of alcohol was there every step of the way. It would turn from a love affair to an obsession, and from an obsession to self-destruction.
After years of struggle with alcohol, Dennis would find himself in a cycle of addiction treatment and relapse. Multiple failures and many returns to the bottle should have killed him – and it almost did. At just 135 pounds, there was little physically left. Even less of his mental or emotional being remained. A walk to buy booze and a small church on the corner would be the small spark that reminded him there was more to life than this. There weren't great flashes of lightning, and he didn't hear the voice of God, but he did remember his humanity just long enough to think hope may not be dead… despite the fact he almost was.
You never know what twists and turns life may have in store for you, but Dennis found out that the adventure of sobriety could be as unpredictable and chaotic as his addiction. Only, in sobriety, the risk and rewards of life were far more positive. Life can change in a moment, and a single moment can change your life.

Dennis S. Farmer, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Legacy Village, LLC, was raised in Shafter, a small farming town in California's Central Valley area. At 24, he took an entry level position with the State of California and was promoted through the budgetary and accounting fields to become the Head of Accounting for Kern Valley State Prison. Through his late 20's, a struggle with alcohol became more pronounced and by his early 30's, alcohol began to affect his personal and professional life. Mr. Farmer's addiction to alcohol resulted in two failed marriages and was taking an increasing toll on his professional life and personal health. It was here that he entered rehab for the first time. A second failed attempt at sobriety led him on a dangerous and destructive two-year path that almost cost his life. At 135 pounds, with serious health troubles, Mr. Farmer found his way into treatment a third and final time.
It was during this final treatment experience that despite sound advice against making long-term plans, Mr. Farmer had a vision for more accessible and affordable care in his own community. Born of his personal experience having a difficult time finding help, he felt led to the design and building of Legacy Village. With the success of the flagship location of Legacy Village, LLC – the Oregon Street Recovery Center the opportunity to relocate came in 2020. The new location, with more than 25 acres of land and ample therapeutic spaces was an answer to prayer and soon, with some bittersweet moments, the entire operation was relocated to Nipomo, California. Mr. Farmer's love of Country and unwavering gratitude for those who served this Nation led to a fundamental shift in 2020, making Legacy Village an exclusive veteran and active-duty only facility. In January 2022, Legacy Village secured its new and permanent location on 10 Acres in Arroyo Grande, California.
Mr. Farmer has remarried his wife Erica and together they are raising a blended family with children Leila, Alyssa, Emily, and Anthony. Mr. Farmer, in addition to his leadership of Legacy Village, is an active member of the Vanguard Christian Center Board of Directors.