New local business grows from family experience and a commitment to community
VERSAILLES – After 20 years in the trucking industry, Adam Knapke decided to take a new direction — one rooted in family experience, hands-on work and helping neighbors care for their properties.
Knapke established Knapke Turf & Tile in 2026 after previously operating AJK Property Services. The locally owned business brings together two interests he developed over time: solving drainage problems and helping people establish and maintain healthy lawns.
Serving primarily Darke, Miami and Shelby counties, the business provides drainage work, tile repair and installation, gravel driveway repair and grading, culvert replacement and lawn seeding. Knapke is also preparing to introduce lawn care programs in 2027.
For Knapke, the work starts with understanding what a property owner needs.
“I enjoy getting to know people and finding out what is important to them so I can propose a solution that fits their needs,” he said.
Experience Begins at Home
Knapke’s interest in drainage began with problems on his own property. Working through those challenges gave him an appreciation for the role drainage plays in maintaining a home and yard.
“Proper drainage is so important to protect your property,” he said.
Today, that experience informs his work for area homeowners and businesses. Knapke uses a camera to investigate problems in existing tile and helps customers understand the issue before developing a plan to address it.
Projects can involve repairing or replacing tile, installing new drainage systems or addressing culverts and driveway grading. Along the way, he enjoys explaining why a particular solution makes sense for the property.
One project involved a home where water pooled near the foundation after rainfall. Knapke connected the downspouts to a drainage system designed to carry water farther away from the house.
At another property, standing water in the backyard prompted the installation of a French drain near a newly installed patio. After completing the drainage work, Knapke seeded the disturbed ground, bringing together the two main sides of his business.
A Family Connection
While drainage became an interest through his own experience, Knapke’s work with lawns grew in part from his wife’s family.
His wife grew up in the landscape business, and Knapke learned from her family, including his father-in-law. Those experiences helped develop an interest in lawn seeding and care that eventually became part of his own livelihood.
Knapke seeds both new and existing lawns and offers guidance to help property owners care for the grass as it becomes established. He emphasizes the time and attention needed beyond the initial seeding.
There is also another generation on his mind. Watching his son operate a tractor and show an early interest in the landscape business has given Knapke another reason to build for the future.
“I want to build something he can one day take over if he chooses to carry it on,” he said.
If his son eventually chooses that path, he would represent a fourth generation of family involvement in the industry.
Growing With the Community
As Knapke Turf & Tile develops, Knapke plans to expand into seasonal lawn care programs in 2027. The planned program generally includes four treatments throughout the year, with additional services considered based on the condition and needs of each lawn.
Education remains part of that approach. Knapke enjoys explaining lawn care practices and helping customers understand how to care for their individual properties.
Just as important to him are the relationships that come with working locally. Customers are also people he may see at the fair, at ballgames or at other community events.
“In this area, it takes people to support small businesses and small businesses to support the community and the people,” he said.
That connection shapes his goals for the company: continue growing, provide quality service and find ways to give back as the business develops.
Knapke said he appreciates the customers who have helped the business get started.
“I would like to thank the customers who hired me for services in 2026,” he said. “It has been a great year taking off, and I look forward to serving more of the community in the years ahead.”
For drainage solutions, tile repair and installation, lawn seeding, driveway repair and grading, or to learn more about the upcoming 2027 lawn care program, you can contact Knapke Turf & Tile at http://www.knapketurfandtile.com, by calling 937-564-1354 or by emailing adam@knapketurfandtile.com.
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