In Ragland, Amazing Grace Farms serves the heroes of our community

PHOTOGRAPH BY RON BURKETT

FINDING HOPE AND HAPPINESS

Amazing Grace Farms grants wishes and fulfills dreams

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE

Organic farmer Brett Brian once said, “Farming is a profession of hope.” Though he was referring to food crops, the sentiment is just as aptly applied to Amazing Grace Farms in Ragland, about 45 miles northeast of Birmingham. The seeds sown here aren’t the kind that will produce a feast, but instead a harvest of healing and happiness.

The ministry is run by Judy Batson, a former nurse and executive director of Amazing Grace Farms. “This all came about a little at a time, after caring for elderly patients with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other age-related ailments,” explains Judy. “I watched as some of these precious people just withdrew or gave up. Without any stimulation, they just talked about days gone by and how they wished they could go fishing or hunting, pick something from a garden, or even hear a whippoorwill.”

Explaining that these were but a few of the “last wishes” she heard during the past 20 years, Judy wanted a solution. “Life

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doesn’t stop at a certain age, as long as there is life, people still have dreams,” she says. “I decided these things needed to be offered to people, some way, somehow. And God opened doors—and He is still opening them.”

One of the first doors was to the 100-acre property that Judy purchased to help grant some of these seemingly simple requests. There, Judy made it her mission to make some of these dreams come true. “We offer fishing in a well-stocked pond—bass, crappie, bluegill—ATV rides, hiking, shooting lessons facilitated safely by our experienced instructors, barn exploring, cookouts, campouts, picnics, storytelling and singalongs around the firepit—complete with s’mores—firefly and frog catching. And if none of that appeals to you,” she says, “then you can just sit in one of our rocking chairs on the wraparound porch, take in God’s beautiful blue sky, and watch the sun go down while sipping sweet tea. You can always take a nap on one of the porch’s swinging beds. There’s always something to do, even if that something is doing nothing.” The farm offers supervised care and instructions as needed based on the individual who is visiting.

As the founder and executive director, Judy says

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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF JUDY BATSON

Above: Judy Batson founded Amazing Grace Farms. Below: Executive Property Manager Craig Grigsby in a prop for the new 50s diner.

the hat she wears changes daily. “I do what needs to be done make this project a success. I may be out mowing grass, or at a ladies’ luncheon giving a speech on the needs of our elderly or what we can do to better recognize the veterans who made our country what it is today,” she says. “But I could not do this at all without the dedication and compassion of Craig Grigsby (executive property manager), John Bush (assistant property manager), and Larry Bell (advisor and hunting guide).” She met the three men when they commuted from Panama City, Florida, to work on her floors and were struck by her mission and heart—another “open door.” They’ve continued to come up every few weeks in the two years since to help transform the property according to Judy’s vision. “These men—licensed contractors—and some others are not only on staff, but they also volunteer hours to help make this dream come true, truly making my Dream Team. They do everything because they wanted to contribute and be a part of this plan. We are working for Him! And we want everyone who comes through the gate to see, hear, or find something positive, so that when they leave, they feel renewed, relaxed, and a little closer to God.”

In addition to what the farm already offers, construction is underway for a zero-entry pool and a 50s-theme diner, where guests can grab burgers and hot dogs. “We have many future plans on the drawing board, too,” explains Judy. “We want to build two handicap-accessible cabins and an accessible hunting stand, and we want to purchase a side-by-side (utility vehicle) that a wheelchair can roll right into.”

Thus far, Judy has paid for Amazing Grace Farms herself, along with a few donations from business acquaintances and family members. “It’s been a payas-we-go project,” she says. “We hope to find other business owners, organizations, and individuals who want to contribute in some way.” She is resolved to continue offering the farm at no cost to those who need it most. “Our elderly visitors are typically on a fixed income and can’t afford luxuries, and we’d love to find sponsors for them, as well as our veterans, so that we can maintain our goal of never charging guests a fee.”

“Like Make-A-Wish does for children, we’re the bucket-list-come-true place for the elderly, mentally challenged, terminally ill, first responders, and veterans,” says Judy. “We’re helping to grant a last wish or one more happy day. Amazing Grace Farms is my passion.”

For more information about Amazing Grace Farms or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit amazinggracefarms.org.

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