Lieutenant Colonel Joshua W. Donecker embarked on his military career in October 1998, enlisting in the United States Army. He began his service by completing the Military Police OneStation Unit Training (OSUT) program at Fort McClellan. Over the course of a decade, from 1998 to 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Donecker progressed through every enlisted Military Police position, from Gunner to Platoon Sergeant. His diverse experiences also included serving as a Recruiter for the James River Recruiting Company, and as a Drill Sergeant for B Company, 795th Military Police Battalion. In March 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Donecker graduated from Officer Candidate School, earning his commission as a Military Police Officer. Following completion of the Military Police Basic Officer Leaders Course, he was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, where he held key leadership positions within A Company, 701st Military Police Battalion, and the 512th Military Police Company. His assignments included serving as Executive Officer, Platoon Leader, and Battalion S3 Operations Officer, with a notable deployment to Iraq as a Platoon Leader. Lieutenant Colonel Donecker is serving as the Director of Emergency Services at Fort Irwin, a position he has held since July 2024.
"The Farmer Veteran Coalition has served as a critical catalyst for Owl Creek Farms, directly supporting its growth through selection for the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Program, the coalition provided the resource support necessary to get needed equipment. Furthermore, it has provided a gateway to vital professional networks."
"Owl Creek Farms is a veteran-owned and operated, 40-acre agricultural enterprise located in the fertile Temecula Valley. Our business model is a blend of agriculture, value-added products, agritourism, and community service. We cultivate groves of pomegranates and lavender, which are harvested to produce a range of products, including jams, soaps, and handmade candles. Our 40x60 event barn serves as a primary venue for a variety of gatherings, from Christian retreats to weddings. The farm is founded on the core principle of God's love and a deep devotion to serving others. We are committed to providing work and provisions for veterans and individuals who are experiencing hardship."
Joshua's journey to agriculture was an evolution he never could have predicted while growing up in Baltimore City, Maryland. In the urban environment of his youth, the life of a farmer felt worlds away. Throughout his military career, the Army moved him to various duty stations across the country and the world, but it wasn't until he met his beautiful wife - a retired Army Officer who has always loved the country life - that he found his true "home station." This farm is the heart of their story; Joshua proposed to her on this land, and they have dedicated themselves to building it into a sanctuary for others.
"The transition to large-scale farming began in a small way. After serving in Iraq, I began finding a unique, quiet solace in caring for houseplants. What started as a way to find peace and decompress from the rigors of combat service eventually grew into a passion for cultivation. Today, that personal search for peace has scaled into 3,000 pomegranate trees, lavender fields, and 20 active beehives. My goal is to share that peace with others. By serving as an active DoDSkillBridge host site, we provide a bridge for transitioning service members to find their own "next mission" in agriculture, using the farm as a place of healing and professional growth."
