Military Vet Creates Two Ag Nonprofits

Military Vet Creates Two Ag Nonprofits Joe Ricker of Wilkinson, Ind., is an Army veteran, farmer and founder of two nonprofits (At Ease Orchard and Veterans IN Farming) that help veterans like him build a future in agriculture. Both organizations aim to equip veterans with the tools, training and support needed to succeed in agriculture. Ricker’s personal journey in agriculture began after 30 years of Army service, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, which left him craving a peaceful life. After moving to Indiana, he took beekeeping classes and received a specialty crop grant. He soon purchased 10 acres in Indiana to raise goats, bees and chickens, along with a high tunnel and an apple orchard. “At Ease Orchard started as a for-profit farm in about 2017,” says Ricker. “After a year or two, I decided I wanted to give back to the Veteran Community. This began as a USDA Spec Crop grant to help with getting Indiana veterans into beekeeping. Ideas and opportunities grew to include the award of the Indiana State Fair Featured Farm and relationships with partners like the National AgrAbility Project.”  Likewise, Veterans IN Farming (IN for Indiana) offers free membership, providing members with access to exclusive workshops, coaching, conferences and networking opportunities. “Vets IN Farming is a similar story, but it grew out of a need in Indiana for educating veterans in agriculture,” Ricker says. Despite its name, membership is open to military veterans from any state. It includes longtime farmers, working producers, beginning farmers, homesteaders, gardeners and veterans exploring agriculture for the first time. The organization partners with three farms to offer classes on topics ranging from soil health to beekeeping. Veterans IN Farming specializes in a specific Midwest context, though membership is open to participants from anywhere. At Ease Orchard, in contrast, is a national program that’s eligible for and has received grants such as the USDA 2051 Grant, which supports the American VetFarm Network. Operating two agriculture-based non-profits is not for the single-minded. “Behind-the-scenes work is the most challenging,” says Ricker. “When I first started, I just wanted to farm. But a great program requires a balance of resources, time and effort, and business functions. I get less tractor time these days and too much computer time. It’s a tough balance.” Ricker advises beginning farmers, whether veteran or otherwise, to start small. He believes a couple of cows is a better investment than 50 cows, and it’s always best to ensure early on that there’s a market for what you’re growing. Likewise, a willingness to experiment and accept failure will go a long way. “I find success with approximately 5 out of 10 projects I take on,” he says. Still, the drive to continuously improve endures. “It’s most rewarding to see veterans engaged in either selling or supporting their community with food. That usually improves mental health and family life after service, and it ‘grows’ from there. We like to meet the veteran where they are. Some do great with podcasts; others with phone calls, etc. Each has a different goal, whether it’s a large cattle ranch, urban farm, flowers, bees and more. We want to engage veterans individually as much as possible and get them to the next level and ‘Grow Veteran Farmers.’” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, At Ease Orchards, Veterans IN Farming (ph 262-388-1261; joericker@ateaseorchard.com; www.ateaseorchard.org; https://vetsinfarming.wildapricot.org).

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