DENVER -- Ever since Adam Cutlip was wounded he knew he wanted to be a farmer, but not a typical farmer working the fields. He wanted to be a high-tech farmer.

So when he learned of the Veterans to Farmers program with Circle Fresh Farms in Colorado, he knew he wanted in.

Cutlip jumped in his truck and drove straight through from Kentucky, breaking down once, but finally arriving. He had no place to live, so John Nicholas, of Nicholas Farms let him camp at his greenhouse.

For four months, Cutlip has been following everything Nicholas does, in hopes of one day owning his own greenhouse.

He's one of the first two veterans in the program.

"I am partial to tomatoes and lettuce," said Cutlip, laughing. "I realized as I went through and learned how the plants grow and everything, I had a certain unity with the plants. I know it sounds kind of corny."

Cutlip moved his wife to Pueblo. She even helps out in the greenhouse. He researched hydroponic farms before moving, but said the hands-on experience is so important.

But most importantly, Cutlip said working in the greenhouse is therapeutic -- something vital for a veteran's integration back into society, he said.

Marine Corps veteran Buck Adams started the program.

"I am a Marine Corps vet myself and I understand the challenges of coming back from tour and getting back integrated," said Adams.

Circle Fresh Farms distributes organic tomatoes and lettuce to Whole Foods, but it's getting ready to embark on a different adventure -- building a greenhouse and market in downtown Denver.

Michael Hancock ran for mayor with a proposal called Denver Seeds, which would bring farms to food deserts -- areas without a grocery store nearby.

"Denver Seeds is really about creating this network of farms that creates a cluster of employment opportunities or economic development," said Michael Hancock, mayor of Denver. "As I studied it with economy folks, we saw it as a multiplier."

The mayor said he believes these farms will not only bring fresh produce to a community in need, but also start a demand, which would add jobs at that farm or demand the creation of a second or third farm.

The Denver Housing Authority owns the land. Hancock said no city funds would be used in the project.

"This is really a way to close the gap with some of these food deserts but also give some people some good skills to where they are marketable for the rest of their lives."

Cutlip hopes to own his own greenhouse next year and maybe even train another veteran.

"Lets create jobs by making your own job," said Cutlip.

For more information on veterans to farmers, visit www.veteranstofarmers.org