Jacob Wiegand

Photojournalist

Mary's Dream Farm

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School: Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Accompanied by numerous animals...r.” north of Excelsior Springs

Accompanied by numerous animals, Mary Roelofsz tends to the morning’s tasks Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, at Dreamers' Farm. The dreamers mentioned in the name 45-acre farm north of Excelsior Springs are Mary and her mother, Bea Roelofsz, who died in January of 2019. “Our dream was to raise Gypsy Vanner horses and my dream was to raise goats, but she kind of got into that too a bit,” Mary said. “We were very similar.” north of Excelsior Springs

“They’re my little family membe...rd. north of Excelsior Springs

“They’re my little family members,” Mary said of the goats in her herd. north of Excelsior Springs

Mary walks with goats on her 45...gs. north of Excelsior Springs

Mary walks with goats on her 45-acre farm north of Excelsior Springs. north of Excelsior Springs

The goat, Strawberry, reaches f...es. north of Excelsior Springs

The goat, Strawberry, reaches for leaves on a tree with Mary’s assistance. All of Mary’s animals have names. north of Excelsior Springs

Mary pulls a hose across her fr...ls. north of Excelsior Springs

Mary pulls a hose across her front yard while tending to the morning’s tasks such as feeding and providing water for animals. north of Excelsior Springs

Members of the Pensick family i...es. north of Excelsior Springs

Members of the Pensick family including 8-year-old Rylee (center), 3-year-old Haylee, Liz and Joe meet with Mary about purchasing young goats. Mary breeds goats and horses. north of Excelsior Springs

Mary watches from a vehicle as ...t.” north of Excelsior Springs

Mary watches from a vehicle as her new barn is erected. “I’ve wanted a barn since I moved-in in 2003 or 2002, but I never could afford one,” Mary said. “And then I retired so I took out some of my 401K money to build the barn and get more fencing done and things like that.” north of Excelsior Springs

Taking a break from her work, M...la. north of Excelsior Springs

Taking a break from her work, Mary cuddles with the dog, Layla. north of Excelsior Springs

Outside Mary’s office hangs a p...ly. north of Excelsior Springs

Outside Mary’s office hangs a picture of her grandparents on her mother’s side of the family. north of Excelsior Springs

A picture of Mary’s mother, Bea...g.” north of Excelsior Springs

A picture of Mary’s mother, Bea Roelofsz, hangs on a refrigerator in Mary’s home. Bea never lived at Dreamers’ Farm before her death in January of 2019, but she’s the other dreamer in the farm’s name. “I have her picture on my refrigerator and if I’m having a hard day or … I just look at her and know that she’s like … loves what I’m doing you know,” Mary said of her mother. “It just makes me happy kind of knowing that she’s proud of me and loves what I’m doing.” north of Excelsior Springs

In the early morning, Mary cudd...t.” north of Excelsior Springs

In the early morning, Mary cuddles with Margaret, one of her miniature Bull Terriers, inside her home. “If I could only have one thing, it would be my Bull Terriers because they’re my heart.” north of Excelsior Springs

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Public Project

Mary's Dream Farm

Copyright Jacob Wiegand 2024

Updated Jun 2023

Location Excelsior Springs, Missouri

Topics Animals, Essays, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism

Summary

Mary Roelofsz grew up in Detroit, but now at 50 years old, Mary is one of the founders of Dreamers’ Farm north of Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

She currently cares for more than 100 animals, some of which include her horses and goats and her beloved Bull Terrier dogs.

“If I could only have one thing, it would be my Bull Terriers because they’re my heart.”

All of Mary’s animals have names, and although some of the animals are sold, others stay at Dreamers’ Farm. “They’re my little family members,” Mary said of the goats in her herd.

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