The concept of starting a nonprofit organization to aid paralyzed Veterans increase their quality of life was conceptualized by Michael Thomas (a paralyzed Veteran) and Greg Grueneberg after they coordinated the tenth and final charitable Ride for the Paralyzed Veterans of America- Wisconsin Chapter in September, 2015. In 2016, they worked with two other paralyzed Veterans to build on the idea of
creating different ways an adaptive business would help disabled Veterans. It was determined that an adaptive farm could be a catalyst to start the business. Data was then collected to determine if there was profitability in growing microgreens. After 1 year of growing various microgreen and selling them to restaurants, the data showed a profit margin that could sustain the operational cost of a farm and growing microgreens was adaptable to a wheelchair bound individual; the trays holding the greens were easily maneuvered from the planting to the harvesting phases and could be grown year-round. It was determined that faming might be only one aspect of the 501c3 nonprofit business and a parent company should be created to oversee the operations of potentially different projects and should be drafted into the business plan. The plan was created with Adaptive Works being the administrative end and Adaptive Farms being its first project. On 4/17/17 ground was broke for the Adaptive Works/Adaptive Farms home base at
21112 W. 7 Mile Road in Franksville, WI
and on 7/20/17 the barn was completed with the Grand Opening being in the following year, 2018 in November. In June of 2018, the Paralyzed Veterans of America- Wisconsin Chapter donated a hybrid Action Track Wheelchair to Adaptive Farms. The chair allows wheelchair bound individuals to navigate over uneven terrain and through gravel, mud or on the wood chip road. The chair is a vital source of machinery and are eternally grateful for the gift.
