by: Carly Hamilton, NRCS Indiana Public Affairs Specialist 

Upon his retirement from the U.S. Army in 2022, 30-year veteran Colonel Joe Ricker set out to help veterans like himself transition home after returning from service. Through a love for agriculture, Ricker’s two non-profit organizations are helping nearly 1,500 veterans find their passion in the world of agriculture – one goat, chicken or beehive at a time.

Founded in 2018, At Ease Orchard (At Ease) is a non-profit organization in Wilkinson, Indiana designed to introduce veterans to all aspects of agriculture – from raising livestock to planting and selling cut flowers. The organization is made up of two veteran-run farms including the namesake orchard and Jack’s Farm in Anderson, Indiana. In addition, Ricker helps support Porter Farm in Danville, Indiana. All three farms host classes and provide guidance to veterans who may be interested in farming so they can try it before they dive in. “I will do classes, like I just did a tree pruning class, and I will have an open apiary class where I will open up the hive and show them [what it looks like],” Ricker said. 

In combination with At Ease is Veterans IN Farming, a second non-profit organization also managed by Ricker to provide additional resources and host conferences throughout the year for veterans in agriculture. Utilizing both non-profit organizations, Ricker has a stronger ability to teach veterans valuable information about agriculture, including how to get started, how to maintain a farm and how to successfully build a business. 

Classes on the farms aren’t just hosted by At Ease Orchard staff but are also often held by the Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District or by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Indiana. From soil health courses and training to the basics of NRCS programs, the farms have been host to numerous events from several different organizations. 

In addition to classes and conferences, At Ease helps veteran farmers get started with livestock, including chickens, goats and bees. “We get [the chickens] from Purdue Extension. They are 4H chickens. So [4H] kids that can’t take them home, we’ll take them in and give them to veterans,” Ricker explained. 

After getting some hands-on experience with an animal, At Ease provides enough livestock for veterans to get their hands dirty on their own farm. Not only can livestock help a veteran get started farming, they can also provide mental health benefits. “Sometimes, they end up being a kind of companion animal for stress relief,” said Ricker. Companion animals can be extremely beneficial to veterans returning home, and a goat can work double-duty as a livestock animal.

But beyond training sites, the three demonstration farms are also homesteads and a working orchard. 

At Porter Farm and Jack’s Farm, resident veterans can live and work on the property while writing a business plan for their own farm. “At Jack’s farm, we have a residential veteran who comes in and manages the farm for two years, builds a business plan for his own place, and then they can decide if they want to continue farming or not,” Ricker explained.

Part of that management is overseeing conservation practices on the farm. When he began working the land in 2018, Ricker enrolled in NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) contract to implement a pollinator habitat area at the orchard with the hope of drawing monarchs, honeybees and other vital pollinators into his property. His honeybees have been reaping the benefit, producing copious amounts of honey, which he gets to sell for donations, with all the proceeds going directly to help veterans through Veterans IN Farming and At Ease Orchards. 

After his initial contract at the orchard, Ricker decided to expand his involvement with NRCS by adding a high tunnel to Jack’s Farm through a second EQIP contract, providing an opportunity to show veterans other options for agriculture in Indiana. Ricker used this high tunnel as an opportunity to bring veterans together and teach through a community build, providing hands-on high tunnel experience and explaining how financial and technical assistance works with NRCS. Ricker additionally installed a high tunnel at At Ease Orchard in 2024, which houses vegetables such as tomatoes and lettuce, which are donated to local organizations that fight hunger in Central Indiana.

Beginning farmers, like veterans who haven’t farmed before, can seek assistance from their local NRCS

 office to get their operation started. “I tell everybody to go to NRCS first and see what they can offer you for whatever you want to do,” said Ricker. From conservation planning to financial assistance for conservation efforts, NRCS can provide new veteran farmers with the resources they need to be successful. 

More than teaching veterans about agriculture, At Ease offers a space for veterans to come join in the community and meet one another. Ricker explains, “You know, I think sometimes it’s nice just getting veterans together to talk. We have a licensed clinical social worker that I can either consult with or she will come to events…and she can get somebody connected with the VA or other resources. We also have a veteran’s services officer to get them benefits.” Not only can veterans make their way into agriculture, they can make their way back into their communities too.

Ricker isn’t thinking about stopping any time soon – he’s already planning his next moves with NRCS. “I am thinking about doing some irrigation up in Anderson, because that [high tunnel] didn’t come with irrigation. I was thinking of fencing and watering for the goats, because eventually I want to place [the goats] over in the pollinator habitat,” Ricker explained. NRCS helps farmers throughout their entire farm’s lifespan – from beginning to end. 

At Ease Orchards and Veterans IN Farming offer support for veterans, whether they’re interested in farming or not. Giving veterans a space to connect and heal is vital to their return home, and Ricker is proud to provide a space for his fellow servicemembers. “At Ease” means to take a moment of rest, and the farms offer a space for veterans to rest and find purpose in their next mission. 

For more information about At Ease Orchards or to learn how to get involved, visit www.ateaseorchard.org or https://vetsinfarming.wildapricot.org/