Michael Ritchie Big Barn Center
for Environmental Health and Education

Connecting us to the land and to each other

This exciting new initiative is very much about connections, not only about the interdependence of planet and people but about the linkage between The Center’s own commitment to living in harmony with nature and a rapidly growing global movement.

Big Barn Discovery School

The Big Barn Discovery School is housed within the Michael Ritchie Big Barn Center which is devoted to exploring the interconnections between the environment, nutrition, education and human health. Located at The Center's 300 acre Stonewall Preserve Farm, the Big Barn is a model for universal design and sustainable living, with Platinum level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (the highest level attainable).

Serving as the nexus for some The Center for Discovery's most innovative initiatives, the Big Barn houses and brings together the following programs and capabilities:

• The Big Barn Discovery School to provide improved interventions for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other disabilities
• The DaVinci Project in bio-dynamic farming and food production
• The Community Building Project to develop new, sustainable models for caring for individuals with a range of physical and intellectual disabilities throughout the lifespan as well as related efforts to contribute to the revitalization of the historic town of Hurleyville

The Michael Ritchie Big Barn was made possible in part by a generous gift from Michael and Nelly Arougheti, and is named in memory of renowned film director Michael Ritchie.
Download the Big Barn Discovery School PDF to learn more.