Beth was a beloved special education teacher and a passionate advocate for families with children who have special needs. Her vision was to create an inclusive community where adults with special needs could thrive, contribute, and be valued as equal members. Alongside Lacey Pauley (a parent of one of Beth's students), Loren Pilcher (Middle School Dean at the de Paul School in Louisville and disability activist), and Sarah Salings (Occupational Therapist and cattle farmer with Salings Cattle Co), Beth began dreaming and planning ways to bring more opportunities to adults with special needs in our community. Emily King, who worked side by side with Beth as an instructional assistant for many years, also shared this vision and dedication.

The journey to build such a community is a long one, requiring time, commitment, and widespread support. Beth, Lacey, and Loren were in the early stages of brainstorming and drafting a mission and vision statement, but had temporarily put the project on hold. With Beth's sudden passing and in the wake of her loss, the community’s interest and support for this vision have grown, with many wanting to honor Beth’s legacy by continuing the work she started. The Care Farming Network is a model that inspired Beth and her team, and attending the 2026 Care Farming Network National Conference in Maryland will provide invaluable knowledge and connections to help move this dream forward.

Thanks to generous donations in Beth’s honor, the Care Farming Network has offered full scholarships for two people from our community to attend the conference. However, we still need to cover travel expenses—airfare, ground transportation, meals, and lodging—for Lacey and Emily. Your support will help us take this important step, allowing Lacey and Emily to learn, connect, and bring back ideas that will shape the future of our community. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and for helping us honor Beth’s legacy as we work together to build a more inclusive and supportive community for adults with special needs.

There will be many opportunities for others to engage and support! We hope to host an informational meeting sometime in the spring or early summer to inform and bring a deeper understanding to the community to help us determine the sustainability and commitment to this project.