VINEMONT, Ala. – When Judy Snead and her husband moved to Cullman County, she never imagined owning a farm — that one chicken would become a thriving farm. However, as her collection of animals grew, so did her social media following.
“I had no friends, so when people started asking if they could see my animals, I said, ‘Sure!'” she laughed. “And then it just kept growing. Before I knew it, I was booking tours all day long.”
Soon, her small hobby farm grew into a beloved community attraction. Eventually, Cullman County Schools began requesting field trips, which turned her farm into an exciting educational experience for children to learn and have fun. But with the rise in popularity also came challenges. Unfortunately, new USDA regulations forced Snead to make a difficult decision.
Faced with the choice of either closing the farm’s public tours or making costly changes, Snead didn’t give up. “At first, I was devastated. But then I realized — maybe this was happening for a reason.”
With a substantial social media following, she realized her presence was reaching far beyond Cullman County. She shifted her focus to mental health advocacy, drawing from her own experiences.
Now, her focus is on giving back. Snead hosts people with disabilities at her farm’s education center, providing them a safe space to connect, learn and have fun.
“They come here every Wednesday,” she said. “They clean, they help with the animals, but more than anything, we just enjoy each other. We sing karaoke, we laugh, we celebrate their accomplishments.”
Snead travels to schools and libraries across the state, using her farm’s story to teach children about kindness, inclusion and strength. “I want kids to know that differences don’t define us,” she said. “Whether it’s a duck with one leg or a friend who looks or talks differently, we’re all valuable.”
Even though her farm tours have closed, her heart and message remain wide open. “I don’t know what’s next,” she said, “but I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
Find Snead’s Farmhouse on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sneadsfarmhouse.
Copyright 2025 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Chinese (Simplified)
English
German
Japanese
Spanish
