Texas Rangers baseball player Jake Burger and his wife Ashlyn have openly shared about their journey with their daughter Penelope's Down syndrome diagnosis. Now, the couple has announced that they are starting a Tennessee ranch specifically to employ people with Down syndrome and other disabilities.

Key Takeaways:

• MLB player Jake Burger and his wife Ashlyn have started The Burger Family Foundation, in honor of their daughter, Penelope, who has Down syndrome.

• The Foundation supports other families impacted by Down syndrome with financial support, community, and therapy options.

• The Foundation announced this week the official launch of Lucky Ranch, which will provide meaningful employment opportunities for people with Down syndrome and other disabilities.

The Details:

In March 2025, the Burgers announced the launch of The Burger Family Foundation, which was inspired by Penelope and her Down syndrome diagnosis. The Foundation supports other families impacted by Down syndrome with financial support, community, and therapy options.

“The Foundation does several different things,” Ashlyn has explained. “We always provide direct financial assistance to families with children with all disabilities who need it, whether that's a therapy bill, or a medical bill paid for, or a therapeutic program, or a camp, or something along those lines. It’s bridging the gap where insurance doesn't meet.”

This week, the Foundation announced its biggest initiative yet — the official launch of Lucky Ranch, with a vision "to create meaningful opportunities for individuals with disabilities through purposeful work, agriculture, and community."

The Ranch, located in Tennessee, is currently in its first phase, which involves employing individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities to raise pasture-raised poultry, which will be sold at a local farm store.

“The Ranch, where we're beginning with poultry chickens that will be tended and cared for by a wonderful staff, and also some adults from local day programs that get to come out and help them out on the pasture," Ashlyn said. "And that's the beginning of a very big ranch that we will continue building. But we’re going to start with the chickens.”

Zoom In:

A press release further details the vision of the ranch, which aims to be “a haven for growth, healing, and connection, combining equine therapy, specialized programs, and community support to create a one-of-a-kind experience for individuals with Disabilities and their families.” 

Jake previously said it was his love of nature that inspired him to start the ranch.

“I love being outside,” he said. “My dad's side of the family dates back to the homestead. That's like 1810 in southern Indiana. When I was dealing with my Achilles injury, it was always like ‘All right, let's get outside, get some fresh air, walk in nature. Even if you're not walking, just sitting in nature, reading a book outside.’ So I want to kind of take that vision and make a safe haven for [people with disabilities] so they feel comfortable working.”

The Bottom Line:

Many families are made to feel like a Down syndrome diagnosis is something to be feared, and many babies are aborted due to this prenatal diagnosis. The Burger family's work is especially important in helping families navigate Down syndrome while providing meaningful work opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

As their website says, "Through our daughter, Penelope, we've experienced the beauty, joy, and incredible value that every person brings, and it's inspired us to dedicate our lives to creating more opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome."