This feature originally ran in our Community Matters magazine.
Local nonprofit farm Snead’s Farmhouse provides tours, field trips and hands-on farm experiences for families and children. Owner Judy Snead said she wears a lot of hats, but at the heart of everything she does, helping people remains her priority.
She shared, “One of the things I’m most passionate about is making the farm accessible to everyone. We provide free visits for children with autism and offer programs twice a week for individuals with disabilities where they can learn about farm life, enjoy karaoke, dance and build confidence in a safe and welcoming environment.”
Snead also travels to libraries across Alabama with her “Big Dreams, Little Chickens” program, where she shares the story of how the farm got started and encourages children to dream big, work hard and never give up on themselves.
“I’m also a content creator on Facebook and YouTube, where I share farm life videos several times a week and host live discussions on mental health, faith, overcoming struggles and the lessons I’ve learned along the way,” Snead said. “As a nonprofit, giving back is a big part of our mission. We donate all of our eggs to Cullman Caring for Kids to help families in our community. Everything we do at Snead’s Farmhouse is centered around creating a safe place where people can learn, grow, heal and feel like they belong.”
Snead said her mission at Snead’s Farmhouse is simple: to give back what God has blessed her with.
“The farm changed my life in ways I never imagined, and my hope is that it will change the lives of others as well,” she said. “Snead’s Farmhouse is more than a farm — it’s a place where people can come to breathe, slow down and enjoy the moment. Whether you’re a child, an adult or a senior citizen, my goal is for you to forget about the stress of daily life, expensive bills, hard times and all the worries you may be carrying. I want people to leave their burdens at the gate for a little while and simply experience joy.”
Through the animals, educational programs, library visits and community outreach, she hopes to create a safe and welcoming place where people feel accepted, encouraged and inspired.
“If someone leaves the farm smiling, feeling a little lighter or believing in themselves a little more than when they arrived, then I’ve accomplished my mission,” Snead said. “For the past three years, I’ve partnered with libraries across Alabama by bringing my animals and reading my children’s books to families during their summer programs. It’s been a wonderful way to connect children with farm life and encourage them to dream big. This year, however, I’ve introduced an entirely new program called Big Dreams, Little Chickens. It’s a 33-minute interactive show where I act, tell stories, sing and take the audience on the journey of how Snead’s Farmhouse got started. It’s a story about faith, perseverance, overcoming obstacles and following your dreams even when others tell you that you can’t.”
The show is designed for ages 4 and up, but she encourages younger children to stay and enjoy the music and fun.
“After the performance, I bring out live animals for a special petting experience and photo opportunities, giving families a chance to interact with the animals up close and create lasting memories,” Snead said. “My goal is to make learning fun while inspiring children and adults to believe that big dreams can start in the most unexpected places.”
She said working with libraries is important to her for several reasons.
“First, they help me keep Snead’s Farmhouse running,” Snead said. “As a nonprofit farm, it takes a tremendous amount of work and funding to care for the animals, provide free programs for children with autism, serve individuals with disabilities and continue giving back to our community. The library programs allow me to earn income during the summer so I can continue that mission throughout the year. It’s about much more than money. Libraries give me the opportunity to connect with families, children and adults through a story that changed my life.”
In her show, she shares how she was praying for God to let her family stay at the beach where we were living because she didn’t want to move to Cullman.
“My husband was being transferred, and I was leaving behind my friends, my family and everything that was familiar to me; I didn’t understand why God was leading us here,” Snead said. “By the end of the show, the audience learns that God wasn’t bringing us to Cullman for my husband — He was bringing us here for me. If we had never moved, Snead’s Farmhouse would never have existed, and thousands of people would have never experienced the joy, hope and healing that the farm provides today. My hope is that children and adults leave the program understanding that sometimes our greatest blessings come disguised as our biggest disappointments. The move I fought so hard against became one of the greatest gifts God ever gave me. I would love for families of all ages to come join us for a fun and inspiring experience.”
Snead’s Farmhouse is located at 820 County Road 1225, Vinemont, AL 35179.
Find it online at www.sneadsfarmhouse.com.
