Jerry and Judy Horton, Founders of Down Home Ranch, undertook its creation with the vision that those who lived at the Ranch would have new opportunities and challenges throughout their lives, just like everyone else in the world, to achieve new dreams, form new ideals, and realize new visions.

They realized that for people with intellectual disabilities one size does not fit all, any more than it does for everybody else. Each resident is a precious individual whose ideas about the best way to live his or her life may differ markedly from others living at the Ranch.

Ranchers may at some point, after a few years at the Ranch, wish to move to one of the small towns close to the Ranch, or even to the big city of Austin! Perhaps they'll marry, or wish for more education and training. If so, the Ranch will be ready for them by obtaining or building houses or apartments in typical neighborhoods, ready for expanded horizons but still close to the friends and community built up in the years before through shared work, play, and worship.

None of this could have happened without the thousands of friends who have come forth over the years bearing gifts of time, treasure, and talent. The Ranch still depends upon these friends and we love to count you among them. Learn more about our residential opportunities and our summer camp program, then come on down and visit for a while. We look forward to seeing you.