Adam Burke: Helps Turn Soldiers Into Farmers

Adam Burke came home after tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and as he says "there was no crowd of people waiting to welcome him home." After being hit by shrapnel from a mortar round explosion, Adam endures symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as well as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but he doesn't let those things get in the way of his mission to help himself and other disabled veterans resume productive lives. In 2009 Adam started Veteran's Farm as a form of horticultural therapy and to give other veterans like himself a place to go everyday where they could work alongside their brothers in arms while gaining valuable life skills that can propel them into jobs and businesses. Because horticultural therapy is acknowledged as a proven therapy, Adam was able to demonstrate a need for funding and in 2010 was awarded a Fellowship from The Mission Continues to support his work. The Mission Continues is an organization that "deploys veterans in their communities, so that their shared legacy will be one of action and service." Thanks to Adam and his idea for the Veteran's Farm, soldiers are seeing the fruits of their labors turn into a way into the workforce. Do you know someone who serves the community in a selfless and meaningful way? Nominate them for next week's AmericanTown's Heroes.