Freshness For Our Community: A Vet's New Mission

Help a Marine Vet Launch a Local Farm!

My Story & My New Mission

My name is Mike Compton, and I'm a Marine Corps veteran. In the Marines, I learned about discipline, commitment, and the importance of a mission. After serving, I knew I wanted my next mission to be one that served my local community here in Central Illinois. That's why I'm launching Vet Grown Greens.

Our mission is simple: to provide local chefs and restaurants with the freshest, highest-quality herbs and greens possible, grown right here in our community. The national food supply chain is fragile, and by the time produce gets to our local restaurants, it's often days old and has lost much of its flavor and nutritional value. Vet Grown Greens will solve that problem by delivering produce that is harvested less than 24 hours before it reaches the chef's kitchen.

The Plan: A Lean, Bootstrapped Launch

I've spent hundreds of hours developing a lean, efficient, and financially sound business plan. Instead of taking on massive loans, I'm starting this farm by bootstrapping it from the ground up, right in my own garage. The plan is to convert my garage into a productive, controlled environment aquaponics farm, built with a DIY approach to be as efficient and resourceful as possible.

Aquaponics is a sustainable system where fish provide natural, organic fertilizer for the plants. It's a closed-loop system that uses 90% less water than traditional agriculture and allows us to grow year-round, regardless of the Illinois weather.

The Ask: Help Us Build the Farm

I'm putting my own savings into this launch, but to get across the finish line, I need your help. We need to raise funds for both the core farm equipment and the essential professional services to get the garage ready for a safe and successful launch.

Our goal is to raise $2,900 to fund all the essential startup costs. Every dollar gets us closer to our first harvest.

Join the Mission & Become a Founder

As a thank you for your support, we've put together a few rewards. By contributing, you're not just a donor; you're a founding member of the Vet Grown Greens community.

Tier 1: The Seed Starter ($25)

A personal thank-you email from me.

Your name listed on the "Founding Supporters" page of our future website.

Tier 2: The First Sprout ($50)

All of the above, plus...

An official "Vet Grown Greens Founder" sticker.

Tier 3: The First Harvest ($100)

(Limited to 50 Backers)

All of the above, plus...

A voucher for one of the very first clamshells of fresh herbs to come out of the farm once we are operational.

​(Reward available for local pickup or delivery within a 30-mile radius of Paxton, IL only. We will contact you via email after the campaign to arrange fulfillment)

Tier 4: The Founder's Box ($250+)

(Limited to 20 Backers)

All of the above, plus...

You'll receive a special Founder's Tasting Box from our first harvest. This will include a curated collection of all the different herbs we're growing, allowing you to be one of the very first to sample the entire Vet Grown Greens product line.

​(Reward available for local pickup or delivery within a 30-mile radius of Paxton, IL only. We will contact you via email after the campaign to arrange fulfillment)

Here's Exactly Where Your Contribution Goes:

1. Grow Beds ($253)

Justification: These two large trays are the foundation of the farm, providing a food-safe, reliable, and flood-proof surface for our crops to grow on.

2. Plumbing System ($525)

Justification: These raw materials are the circulatory system of the farm. They will be hand-fabricated into eight vertical aeroponic towers and the gravity-fed drain lines, creating a sustainable, closed-loop system.

3. Life Support System (Aquaponics Core)

Barracuda RO/DI Water Filter ($200): Our local water is too harsh for delicate fish and plants. This filter purifies it completely, creating the perfect, clean water foundation for our ecosystem.

150-Gallon Stock Tank ($90): This tank is the heart of the farm. It will be the home for our fish, whose natural waste becomes the organic fertilizer that feeds all of our plants.

Submersible Pump ($90): The "engine" of the farm. This reliable pump circulates the nutrient-rich water from the fish to the plants, 24/7.

In-Line & Bio-Filters ($90): These filters keep the water clean and provide a home for beneficial bacteria, which are the microscopic engines that convert fish waste into plant food.

4. Grow Environment & Lighting

T5 Style LED Grow Lights ($172): This high-efficiency LED fixture provides the full-spectrum light our plants need for healthy, rapid growth, ensuring a consistent, year-round harvest.

Dehumidifier ($125): An aquaponics farm creates a very humid environment. This dehumidifier is essential for preventing mold and protecting the health of our crops.

5. Processing & Food Safety

Stainless Steel Prep Table ($100): A professional, food-safe surface is non-negotiable for harvesting and packaging our greens for restaurants.

5-Gallon Salad Spinner ($150): This commercial-grade spinner is critical for drying our herbs after washing, dramatically extending their shelf life.

Utility Sink ($60): A dedicated sink is required for all washing and sanitation, forming the cornerstone of our food safety protocols.

Miter Saw ($100): This essential tool will be used to make the precise cuts on the PVC pipes needed to build our vertical aeroponic towers.

6. Professional Services

Electrician ($800): Safety is paramount. A licensed electrician is needed to install new, dedicated GFCI outlets and ensure our breaker panel can safely handle the load of the lights, pumps, and other equipment.

Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to launching and anything extra goes into building the business and increasing our reach to the community.

Thank you for your support.

Semper Fi,

Mike Compton

Owner, Vet Grown Greens