Dream Catcher Meadows is a green care farm animal sanctuary with a mission to provide social, educational, vocational, and recreational opportunities for individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and other neurodevelopmental conditions. The farm provides a low-stress setting where visitors can embrace human neurodiversity, while learning about environmental conservation and regeneration practices and experiencing the healing rhythms of nature and animals. Our model is inclusive, with programs available to neurodevelopmentally diverse individuals (neurotypical & atypical).
Our vision promotes the concept of “One Health” - that human health is inextricably linked to environmental health - beginning prior to conception through the life course.
We achieve our mission by promoting awareness about the leading, preventable cause of neurodevelopmental conditions - prenatal alcohol exposure and operating an inclusive green care farm animal sanctuary, Dream Catcher Meadows.
Our approach fosters connection between people and the natural agricultural biosphere, providing social, vocational and social opportunities for young people with FASD/ND-PAE and other neurodevelopmental differences.
These experiences in nature and with animals help balance the natural human rhythms by reducing stress responses; boosting self-confidence, creativity & resiliency; promoting self-regulation and internal resources; and engendering understanding, compassionate, and collaboration between neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals. We are currently completing capital improvements to provide a safe, inclusive agricultural education and ag tourism programs for youth in Montgomery County and Maryland. A state bond bill and county grants have been awarded for farm renovations, including recently completed new pasture fencing and planned remodeling for a registration booth, an ADA compliant bathroom, and improvements to animal outbuildings and structures.
The Foundation
Dream Catcher Meadows is operated by 7th Generation Foundation - a 501c3 nonstock, nonprofit founded in Maryland in June 2014 by Dr. Susan D. Rich, a child/adolescent and adult psychiatrist with a background in public health and nearly 30 years developing programs and services for individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), also known as Neurodevelopmental Disorder associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (ND-PAE). One in 20 U.S. children, adolescents and adults have FASD - which includes a spectrum of neurocognitive deficits, sensory/motor issues, social communication differences, and/or emotional regulation problems associated with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Dr. Rich speaks nationally and internationally to medical professionals and the public on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of FASD/ND-PAE as well as the mental health and life challenges of affected individuals. She shares the benefits of improved adaptive functions through mindfulness, healthy lifestyles, avoiding alcohol/tobacco/other drugs of abuse, and supportive/caring relationships.
Currently the foundation is exclusively focused on building the dream at Dream Catcher Meadows. Funding comes in part from Dr. Rich's honoraria for public speaking, grand rounds, and outreach presentations about FASD/ND-PAE, which are paid directly to the nonprofit. Tax-deductible donations, sales of farm products, and an annual FASD awareness event in the fall (canceled in 2020) supplement our farm and program operating costs. We have received funding for improvements to the farm fencing and facilities through state and county grants, and are currently seeking grant funding, partnerships with community or government agencies to support our operations.
What We've Built and What's Next
Dr. Rich leases 5.43 of the 6.43 acre property to the Foundation, which operates the farm animal sanctuary. We currently care for 14 goats, a Kune Kune (New Zealand variety) pig, and 28 chickens. Several acres of pasture and forest are available for grazing, and approximately 1/4 acre which formerly contained a horse riding ring has been set aside for food crops, with almost half of the beds created and the first harvest in 2019. The day-to-day farm tasks are completed primarily by Dr. Rich and Chief Sustainability Officer Jeremy Fedors, as well as a small number of volunteers who help with work such as animal care and gardening. Volunteer opportunities provide student service learning hours (SSL) through Montgomery County Public Schools. All volunteers are required to sign a liability waiver. Adult volunteers over the age of 18 must complete a background check prior to participation.
What one volunteer intern had to say about her experience as a part-time assistant on the farm: I enjoy most hanging out with the animals - goats and a pig, and being outdoors. The internship at Dream Catcher Meadows got me over my fears being close to larger animals. Now I've got a job working at a stable getting up close and personal with horses, caring for them - grooming, feeding, watering, and in charge of turn outs early in the morning. I know I couldn't have done this in the past with horses. I couldn't see myself getting so close to a horse or being in the stall with it. I would be so scared of being kicked or stomped on. It's been eye opening to see what my future has to offer as a career working with animals.
We have begun capital improvements with a Maryland State Bond Bill grant program and matching funds through Montgomery County. To date, we have replaced 5.43 acres of perimeter and pasture fencing, remodeled a barn loft apartment for our farm manager's housing, and are about to begin renovations of a shed into a registration booth with ADA compliant bathroom and incinerator toilet. Remodeling will include wheelchair accessibility, new roofs/gutters to the outbuildings, recreational & vocational space in the barn, and a gravel driveway. Once our renovations are complete, we will be able to make full use of our pasture land, have the capacity to add horses and alpacas to the sanctuary, and have facilities suited to run larger group programs and events.
We have quite a bit in the works, and despite the uncertainties caused by the pandemic, we look to move from the startup and pilot program phase to full operation later this year! As we carry out planning work and transition to our new website, we will very shortly be providing information about events and programs we plan to run during the rest of the year. We are seeking grants and private donations to build our team and organizational capacity to move from a startup, pilot program and basic animal sanctuary phase to a point where we can host groups of up to 10 children/teens with their support staff as well as youth farm ambassador training programs.
Please check out our updates at www.Facebook.com/TheDreamCatcherFarm. To donate, please use Zelle @ 7thGenerationFoundation@gmail.com.