Texas “Chain Saw Manicure”

The Down Home Ranch outside of Austin is a working farm and ranch, where about 40 adults and children - including 20 with Down syndrome and other disabilities - live year round, caring for 340 rolling, forested acres of the Post Oak Savannah in Central Texas.  At the ranch, people with and without disabilities live and work together - tending the animals, raising food, and celebrating life together. 

An underbrush fire on a neighboring ranch prompted the founder of the Ranch, Jerry Horton, to gather supporters and stage a “Chain Saw Manicure”, to clear the space of brush and increase safety on the property.  The volunteer “manicurists” and ranch residents enjoyed a day of work, and, we’re sure, a lot of fun as well.