For the Baylors life wasn’t always surrounded by chickens and goats. For over 16 years they lived a life of pressure and survival.
Life for both Ali and David Baylor, formerly middle school teachers, had been filling up with obligations, deadlines and stress. A year after they met, David was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor.
David’s health may not return to 100%, but the new way of life, increased the odds for David, both physically and mentally.
“I think it has to do with retiring from teaching, getting out of the system and busy crowded Pinellas, coming out here and really working on stress reduction, whatever we could do to get his mind back up, we directly succeed,” Ali said.
The Baylors opened a not for profit business, Golden Rainbow Ranch back in 2008. Slowly donations and grants helped the Baylors build environmental therapy and educational programs for both children and adults.
“Kids who come here… learn how to center themselves and relax, we have had a couple of kids go home and take some of the things they (had) learned here and create a space for themselves,” Ali explained.
On this 10 acre farm surrounded by a variety of animals, including geese and pigs, Golden Rainbow Ranch offers workshops as well as field trips and birthday parties.
Ali talked about more projects that she and David would love to provide at the farm, such as adopt an animal program to a wheelchair accessible tree house.
“Something so that people who wouldn’t normally be able to climb a tree, would able to. The wheelchair accessible tree house has always been in my head, for a while,” Baylor said.
As with any organization there are daily challenges, but Ali and her husband David find comfort and healing just being at the farm and being able to help others.
“I still can’t believe it happened, it’s like every time I think about the whole story from start to finish, I am just so grateful,” Ali said.
If you are interested in visiting the Golden Rainbow Ranch to experience a day at the farm and being around nature you can contact Ali Baylor at 1(352) 799-5425. Visits are by appointment only.