Joe Ricker

Joe is a recently retired Army Colonel who specialized in Logistics and Information Management. His 30 years in the military brought him to Afghanistan, Iraq, and many other countries. He developed not only a drive to get the mission done, but a desire to help people. After two tours in the Pentagon and meeting the AgrAbility Veteran team in 2016 at a workshop he decided that agriculture was going to be his focus in retirement and helping Veterans is his passion.

He is the founder of At Ease Orchard, a non-profit that is focused on getting Veterans, First Responders and their family members into Beekeeping and other farm activities. Over the past two years At Ease Orchard has provided over 20 hives, mentorship, and training to their beneficiaries. He also manages his property with 250 apple trees as well as 8 beehives. Joe is also the Secretary of the Farmer Veteran Coalition Indiana Chapter.

Joe is currently the Veteran Outreach Coordinator for AgrAbility where he mentors Veterans on Veteran specific resources and provides guidance to dozens of Veterans every month on pursuing their passion on getting into Agriculture.

Website: http://www.agrability.org/