MOORES HILL, Ind. – In the heart of Dearborn County, Ind., rests a small hydroponic farm called Victory Acres. Those at this 10-acre farm, owned by Tom and Helen Vickroy, are busy growing microgreens in a small greenhouse and two outbuildings. Also at work here are people aiming to get a second chance in life and to atone for the mistakes they’ve made in the past.

The farm is 42 miles west of Cincinnati. A house at this farm is where clients share a common area where they can prepare their own food, have their own restroom and bedroom. Here the inmates are taught skills in hydroponics and conventional farming. Tom is president of Victory Acres.

“No one on staff is paid, each and everyone here is a volunteer,” he said.

Vickroy started the program after his stepson was incarcerated.

“He told us he wanted to make a difference in the lives of people who society often discards,” Vickroy said. “Oftentimes when someone commits a crime their families don’t want anything to do with them. Here, we try to instill that love for one another. We believe in giving people a second chance at life and in work, and we’re working in that direction.”

The staff at Victory Acres includes Tom and his wife, Helen, John Erickson (vice president), Savannah Wade (handles Facebook), Clifford Hammoor (IT and web work), Aaron Kistner (GM and horticulturist) and Jeanne Akeman (RN, safety adviser).

Vickroy has a strong farming background. He grew up on a dairy farm, where he tended to 70 head of cattle on 80 acres. His family eventually expanded their operation to 300 acres.

After Tom and Helen married they settled on 10 acres in Moores Hill, Ind., where they began their hydroponics effort in a one-car garage in 2019.

“Helen and I purchased the property and a few years later transferred it to Victory Acres, so legally Victory Acres owns the property and Helen and I have a life estate here,” Vickroy said.

Vickroy’s hydroponics operation has proven successful in more ways than one. First, the three types of lettuce grown at Victory Acres are sold to Aurora Market, Dillsboro, Vevay’s IGA Foodliner and three restaurants in southeast Indiana. Just recently the farm added purple radish and broccoli to its list of hydroponic veggies. They’re presently building a tower system for strawberries, radishes and beets.

“The tower system should be operating before all with first planting of berries and others in the spring,” Vickroy said.

The vegetables grown are consumed by the staff and residents, and some is sold off the farm.

“One hundred percent of all monies received from sales, donations and gifts are retained by Victory Acres and used to advance our goal,” Vickroy said. “Any product which is considered overstock is donated to the Heart House or the Clearing House.”

Hydronics is the main draw at this farm, but Vickroy has intentions of expanding his operation.

“We have two grocery stores that are on hold for our produce because we don’t have the capacity to supply them yet,” Vickroy said. “We also sell to individuals.”

Inmates benefit by farming, learning a work ethic and making a little money. Kistner, for example, tends to two grow rooms and a greenhouse. Many of these residents are forever grateful for the second-chance opportunity.

“I grow these micro greens and it’s rewarding knowing I’m helping someone put food on their supper table,” he said. “This organization puts its trust in me and it’s an honor to work with these people. I can’t put a monetary value on that.”

Kistner is one of Vickroy’s “many success stories.”

“Aaron started studying horticulture and he became a certified horticulturist,” Vickroy said. “I’m slowly stepping aside and letting him operate our hydroponics more and more.”

To this point, Victory Acres has helped revive the lives of many individuals, but not all who come to the farm buy in to the mission.

“Through this program some have found success while others not so much,” Vickroy said. “Some are gonna manage well and some not very well at all.”

John Erickson does a lot of visitation and ministry for two jails in the southern part of the state, where he conducts Bible studies with inmates. Through Erickson’s prison ministry work, they began connecting with clients seeking second opportunities.

“So many of these people are abused and neglected, leaving them with no hope,” Erickson said. “We’re giving them something that is real and this farm is life changing. Many employers won’t give a person who’s been incarcerated a second chance, and if they can’t get a job to earn money to live what choices do they have? We’re trying to give them that choice.”

The efforts of the Vickroys and Erickson have proven successful, so much so that they’re eyeing expansion in the years to come.

“Right now, we’re working with hydroponics, but we plan on expanding,” Vickroy said. “We do have plans to add chickens and goats, but we are quite a ways from doing that. We have a greenhouse under construction so our goal in this process is to get the greenhouse up and running and once we do that, we’ll move the operation from the basement of the of the house and refinish that facility so we have housing for individuals.

“I’d like to continue to expand until we have all 10 acres working. I’d like the opportunity to move into other counties and even across the state lines into Ohio and Kentucky. These are plans down the road. As with other non-profits, our biggest struggle is with funding.”

Victory Acres, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

“Our goal is to help these people in various ways by providing low-cost housing, increased work ethic, pride, self-esteem, provide advice from monetary accounts and even life questions on any subject,” Vickroy said. “At times we teach them how to prepare meals, how to operate and maintain equipment, or even just be a friend they can talk to. And we strongly encourage faith in God.”

Victory Acres is open to tours by appointment. Victory Acres can be found on Facebook and is at 14805 Schoft Lane, Moores Hill, Ind., 47032. Contact the farm at 812-532-9008 or victoryacres20@gmail.com.