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.

1. Legacy Farms
A Community for Adults with Autism and
other Developmental Challenges

2. Our Story
We are a group of teachers, parents and professionals with a
common vision; to create a post-secondary residential and
vocational community for adults with autism and other
developmental challenges.
While dedicating ourselves to improve the lives of young
people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, we recognized the
lack of meaningful post-secondary opportunities for them.
Thus, the idea of creating a legacy for special needs
adults was born.

3. Our Story (Cont..)
Our goal is to become a community of adults with intellectual
disabilities, based on a holistic model that encompasses all
aspects of farm life, and provide them with meaningful
vocational, recreational, and community opportunities.
Our staff will continuously strive to foster independence and a
sense of achievement among the residents, by recognizing and
developing individual potential in a supportive home
environment.

4. Legacy Farms Board of Directors
Martha Schonberger
•Loudoun County Special Education Teacher
•President
Pam Quinn
•Loudoun County Social Education Teacher
•Vice President
Susan Aitcheson
•Accounting Manager at the Center for Innovative Technology
• Treasurer and Secretary
Tracy Monson
Licensed Real Estate Consultant
Patsy McClintock
Autism Consulting Teacher for Loudoun County Schools.

5. The Facts
• The CDC States that 1 in 68
children will be diagnosed with
ASD in the next year.
• In the next 10 years over
500,000 people with autism
will become adults.
• 17% of young adults with
autism have never lived alone.
• Currently, only 24% of people
with cognitive disabilities aged
16 to 64 work.

6. We want to help
We believe the time is now to start planning for the influx
of adults with autism currently entering the job market.
It is vital that a variety of options are available to these
adults, and diverse trends are developed to provide
residential and vocational solutions currently not available
in our area.
Legacy Farms hopes to be there as this boom of young
adults needs them, and hopes to inspire others to help as
well.

7. Why a Farmstead?
There are many physical benefits of working on a farm that will ensure your
loved ones are getting plenty of daily exercise. What really counts though are
the therapeutic benefits of living and working on a farm. They include:
• Meaningful, purposeful work
• Daily social interaction
• Developing a sense of accomplishment
• Daily cognitive exercise, which constantly stimulates the mind
• Allowing those who have always been cared for the opportunity to care for others
• Daily seasonal and yearly rhythms of farm life are compatible with the strengths of
people with ASD

8. Legacy Farms Today
Current Programs, Partnerships, and
Strategies for Raising Public Awareness

9. Phase I
Raising Public Awareness
Legacy
Farms is
currently in
Phase One.
Educate the public on the need of postsecondary
options for adults with autism and other
developmental challenges
Plan and initiate a series of fundraisers, events, and
speaking engagements that will help raise money and
awareness of the cause
Promote Legacy Garden as a place for those with
special needs to experience growing crops, hard work
and getting their hands dirty.
Promote Legacy Gardens as a place to come and learn
about our cause.
Share the Legacy Farms story and inspire others to get
involved.

10. Online Initiatives
Since May of 2014 Legacy Farms has increased its online presence in
multiple ways such as the creation of a new website at
www.legacyfarmsvirginia.org
The use of social media will ensure Legacy Farms continues to make
it’s mark on the digital community and they have undergone an
extensive social media marketing campaign that includes:
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Google +

11. Recent Accomplishments
This year, Legacy Farms has ramped up their efforts to accomplish
their goals. To create momentum for their vision, the board members
have:
• Met with various persons and organizations in Loudoun County to discuss
partnerships in creating day training programs for adults with autism and
other developmental challenges:
o Hydroponic greenhouse garden training starting in the Fall of 2014
o Exploration of another off-site training center at a local therapeutic horseback
riding facility
• Creation of Legacy Garden, which is a teaching tool; a place for young adults
with autism and other developmental challenges to experience growing crops,
hard work, and getting their hands dirty.

12. Current and
Recent Events
May 17th 2014, Legacy
Garden Construction
Wellness Connection
Farmers Market in
Stone Ridge, Va.
July 26th Legacy
Farms Garden Party

13. Legacy Gardens is our
maiden program that
began as a way to teach
people about Legacy
Farms.
Our goal is to inspire the
community to get
involved, by providing a
place where people can see
the benefits of such a
program.
We broke ground on May
17th, 2014.
Legacy
Gardens

14. Working together at the
garden ensures a variety
of social interaction
among peers.
Planting a garden is a
great way to practice
cognitive thinking. A job well done,
something to be proud
about.

15. Legacy Farm Training Center
As part of our plan to provide agriculturally based job training,
we have partnered with several local organizations to provide
them with a skilled workforce. We hope to start training as
early as Fall of 2014. We will be offering:
• A variety of greenhouse skills
• Small Plot Intensive Farming
• Basic barn and stall maintenance
• Farmers Market retail skills

16. Getting The Word Out
While social media continues to play a huge role
in promoting Legacy Farms, there are other
ways to be seen.
We will continue to do what it takes, whether it
be though the media, getting out into the
community, or building business relationships our
main priority is to let people know we are here
to help.

17. The Farmstead
Future outlook for Legacy Farms

18. Phase II
Breaking Ground
This occurs
once the land
is bought and
the farm is
under
construction.
Build or take ownership of a farm
Provide a variety of training
programs
Select qualified residents
Continue to raise money and
awareness

19. The Perfect Scenario
A Barn for
storing
equipment,
and livestock
such as goats,
chickens, and
a few horses
A Pasture for
growing crops
(about 10
Acres)
2 residential
units to house
men and
women
A community
Center
Main office Training
Facility
Greenhouse

20. Training Program
Legacy Farms will provide a variety of residential and day
programs that include but are not limited to:
• Farming
• Agriculturally based job training
• Woodworking
• Farmers market retail skills
• Equine based skills

21. Application Process
The board plans to establish an admissions committee
for review and acceptance of applications for
residency to insure that candidates match well the
services available at the farmstead.
Confidential professional assessments are to be
performed periodically, to document progress being
made by each resident and recommend adjustments
to program and services to maximize the benefits.

22. Looking Forward
Our Hopes for the Future

23. Phase III
Ongoing Operations and Growth
Once Legacy Farms is fully
operational and has been operating
for several years, we hope to add to
existing structures and increase the
population to over 20 residents.
• Maintain farm
• Build additional units or add on to
existing ones to accommodate more
residents and staff
• Maintain community ties, volunteer
at local functions, continue raising
awareness
• Continue Fundraising and have a
variety of benefits that will help the
cause
• Marketing continues for donations
and new residents, as well as Legacy
Farms specialty products

24. Future Success
• Volunteering for local
fundraisers
• Giving back
• Food donations to local food
banks
• Local School involvement
Success of the farm depends on many things, one of which is
community involvement. Legacy Farms hopes to become an integral
part of whatever community they live in., and they plan to do this by
giving back locally.

25. “Legacy Farms” The Brand
Legacy Farms hopes to create a
brand around the services they
offer and products they create.
This will help maintain the farm
and possibly ensure that growth
of the farm does not just include
one location.
As we continue to experiment
with new farming methods and
passing that knowledge onto
those we serve, we hope to one
day grow the “Legacy” brand
nationally.
Some of these methods include:
• Small Plot Intensive Farming
• Hydroponics and Aquaponics
• Greenhouses
Products may include:
• Legacy Farm Salsas and Pestos
• Legacy Farms Jams and Jellies
• Legacy Farms Spreads

26. Our Vision
At Legacy Farms we envision a community of people living and working
together on the farm. Such a community will be:
• A place for both residents and day program participants to learn a
variety of marketable skills that they may use in day-to-day farm
operations, or take with them to a job site.
• A self-sustainable living environment where residents and live-in staff
will grow their own food, tend the crops, and maintain a working farm.
• A place that helps the residents live to their fullest potential, where they
have an opportunity to work and learn at their own pace without
judgment.
• A unique social environment in which anyone can reach their own
personal best.

27. Thank You for taking the time to read about
our plans. If you would like to help, please follow the
link below:
DONATE
You can also mail your donations to:
We are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit
organization and the donations we receive
go to help promote awareness of the need
for long-term care for adults with autism
and other developmental challenges,
ultimately helping us generate enough
money to purchase the farmland we need
to start Legacy Farms.