In 2018, Joe Ricker founded At Ease Orchard, a place where veterans can find purpose and community through farming and beekeeping. After a distinguished 30-year career in the Army, which included tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Joe retired and moved to central Indiana. It was here, near the tiny town of Wilkinson in Hancock County, not far from Greenfield, that he established At Ease Orchard as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

A Vision Rooted in Service

Joe's vision for At Ease Orchard was simple yet profound: to give back to veterans by providing them with meaningful work and a supportive community. "I just wanted to give back to veterans. I enjoy helping them and seeing them get to a good place after they come back," Joe explains. His dedication to this mission has seen the planting of over 230 apple trees—both dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties—each contributing uniquely to the farm's ecosystem.

The Healing Power of Bees and Trees

In addition to the orchard, Joe also established an apiary on the farm. His passion for beekeeping, sparked by conversations with fellow servicemen an, led him to partner with several organizations, including the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, the National AgrAbility Project, Indiana AgrAbility, and Heroes to Hives—a beekeeping education program run by veterans for veterans. "An orchard blends so nicely with bees as pollinators, so it just took off," Joe says. He trains veterans to become beekeepers, helping them start their own honey production ventures. Click here to Listen here to learn more.

Creating a Community of Support

Joe understands the unique struggles that many veterans face when returning to civilian life. "We’ve been in different environments that most people who aren’t veterans sometimes don’t understand. But being among other veterans helps you open up. You have that camaraderie where people understand what you’re going through," he explains. Through farming and beekeeping, Joe has created a therapeutic environment that helps improve social connections, strengthen physical health, and decrease the symptoms of depression and PTSD.

A Growing Team and Expanding Mission

As At Ease Orchard has grown, so has its team. Joe has added several employees and established an active Board of Directors to guide the organization's vision. The farm now hosts a series of in-person and online educational events, providing valuable knowledge and hands-on experience to veterans across the country.

From Local Roots to National Reach

While the home farm remains a vital resource for Indiana veterans, the mission of At Ease Orchard has expanded nationwide. Veterans from all over the country now benefit from the programs and support that started in a small orchard in Indiana. "We want to make it sustainable so that people returning from service have the opportunity to get into beekeeping if that’s right for them," Joe says.

A New Chapter

Now retired from the military as a colonel, Joe Ricker is "suiting up" in a new role, dedicated to helping veterans find a new mission in life through the therapeutic and rewarding work of farming and beekeeping. "At Ease is what you do in the military with your final formation. The military will say 'At Ease,' and that means you can go and relax," Joe explains. At Ease Orchard embodies this spirit, providing a place where veterans can find relaxation, purpose, and a sense of belonging.

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