description
Legacy Farms is a Northern Virginia based, 501c3 non-profit corporation made up of a group of teachers and parents with a common vision; to create a post-secondary residential and vocational community for adults with autism and other developmental challenges. Based upon their professional experience raising and teaching children in the classroom and home, they have recognized the lack of meaningful post-secondary opportunities for post graduate students. Thus, the idea of establishing a working farm for adults with autism and other developmental disabilities in Northern Virginia was born. It is now their intention to help those who come to the farm, lean to live independent and productive lives. Legacy Farms will be a community of adults with intellectual disabilities, based on a holistic model encompassing all aspects of farm life and providing meaningful vocational, recreational, and community opportunities. The staff will strive to foster independence and a sense of achievement by recognizing and developing individual potential in a supportive home environment. In 2014, Legacy Farms began aggressively raising awareness of their vision by creating Legacy Garden. Legacy Garden is a pilot program that provides gardening opportunities for special needs adults in the community. Adults with autism assisted in preparation and planting of the garden and are welcome to tend the garden as their interest allows. In the spring of 2015 we will be exploring spin farming at Legacy Garden, as well as, an off-site location. Legacy Farms believes the time is now to start planning for the influx of adults with autism currently entering the job market. It is vital that further options are available to these adults, and diverse trends are developed to provide residential and vocational options that are not currently available in our area. Legacy Farms will be there as this boom of young adults needs them, and they hope to inspire others to be there helping as well.