The concepts of dignified employment and the chance to earn a real paycheck are fundamental to the mission of Down Home Ranch as a working ranch. Far too many adults with intellectual disabilities lack the opportunity to use their training and abilities in the real life world.

At the Ranch, our Ranchers share responsibility for everything from maintaining the buildings, to preparing lunch for the whole community, to picking the berries that we make into jelly. They feed the stock, clean the barns, gather the eggs and work in the gardens and greenhouses. They help with mail-outs and show visitors around the Ranch.

The Ranchers report to work at the Pavilion each weekday morning at 9:00 AM, form their work cadres, and head off for their stations.

Ranchers' pay reflects their own experience, diligence, and productivity on the job at rates that run from a low of $1.75 per hour to competitive market wages. Ranchers are re-evaluated every six months and their wages adjusted as necessary under regulations established by the federal Department of Labor. They may work as few as three hours and as many as five hours most weekdays, depending on the work available and the season.

Weekday afternoons are available for a variety of activities. Lifelong learning is a key ingredient for growth and happiness in every person's life, and activities are chosen that further healthy growth in mind, body, and spirit.

Classes and activities involve arts and crafts, cooking classes, trips to the library, shopping, Special Olympics training, Bible study, computer classes, fitness, sign language or Spanish classes.

During Village Council meetings on Wednesday afternoons Ranchers decide on their activities for the coming week.

Outings to concerts, live performances, movies, festivals, and other events are scheduled for most weekends, along with on-Ranch activities such as hikes, pool parties, and movies in the Pavilion complete with sodas and popcorn. Ranchers can sign up for as many activities as they want, or for none at all if they feel more like hanging out in their room for "chill time."

On Sundays, vans head off in all directions, taking Ranchers to services at local Catholic, Baptist, Mormon, Methodist, and non-denominational churches. Sunday afternoons are usually pretty quiet as Ranchers rest up for the busy week ahead.

The Kitchen Manager, working closely with our dietitian consultants, develops a menu of tasty, nutritious meals for the coming week. Ranchers help prepare a hot lunch daily, served in the Pavilion Dining Room for Ranchers and program staff. We are constantly striving to heighten Rancher and staff awareness of the importance of nutrition, diet, and exercise. This includes a liberal food budget that encourages the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and lean meats and poultry.

Ranchers on the Garden Team help grow vegetables, herbs, and salad greens. As we move to implement Operation Independence, we will raise our own beef, chicken, and pork.

Research points to the importance of an active, stimulating life for people with Down syndrome, from infancy through old age. The risk of dementia is greatly enhanced in Down syndrome, and depression raises the risk even higher.

Many researchers feel that a healthy lifestyle can mitigate or delay common disease processes that affect people with Down syndrome.

That's one reason we instituted the HE-HAW Program, which stands for "High Energy Health and Wellness. HE-HAW sponsors Special Olympics, Weight Watcher meetings, and the Fitness Club, and Ranchers are rewarded for active participation in these programs, which the majority carry out with great enthusiasm.

Ranchers exercise in the evenings and in Fun & Fitness three afternoons per week. A beautiful pool is available for swimming laps and our gym features every kind of modern exercise equipment, which includes weight training, treadmills, stationary bikes, and an elliptical trainer.

Occasionally a class will decide on a power walk around the Ranch, a two mile hike cross country, where Ranchers may encounter many kinds of Central Texas birds and wildlife.

We are great supporters of Special Olympics, and participate in a wide variety of sports, including golf, kayaking, equestrian, aquatics, track and field, and cycling.