Our Story

A number of years ago Chris Poad, a gifted horticulturist, was in the midst of building a $2MM floral business in Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest.  The trajectory of his personal life did not match his commercial success as Chris made mistakes that cost him his freedom by sending him to prison.

 

This setback was significant but in the end this was the catalyst for Chris to take a serious look at his past and to decide what he was going to do with his future.  A realization that what he really wanted was to own his mistakes, do what he could to atone and find a path to redemption by dedicating his skills to the betterment of those in need.

 

Holy Oak Farm has become the vehicle Chris has developed to achieve his goals.

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Chris's initial plan was centered around leveraging his farm coupled with his knowledge of high production agricultural practices to provide an opportunity for disenfranchised veteran's to learn a skill and establish a model that could be replicated and adapted to address the needs of underserved communities.

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Holy Oak Farm is a faith-based, non-profit farm dedicated to combating hunger, unemployment, poverty, homelessness, and transforming those in need. Chris Poad owns a 35 acre farm in Poynette, Wisconsin and had been a successful flower grower, selling throughout Wisconsin and Illinois.

 

Through years of research and experimentation, he has developed a growing process that yields higher, more efficient production than traditional growing methods. Chris recognized an opportunity to use his farm and his advanced horticultural knowledge to “serve the under-served” in our society.

 

In addition to providing a highly-efficient, sustainable source of organically grown food for those in need, It is his dream to provide a place where men-in-need could develop job skills and re-gain their purpose in life. As veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Chris has a special interest in helping not only disenfranchised veterans, but all men-in-need who are motivated and committed to becoming responsible and productive members of society are welcome.