Nestled among the forests, creeks, and meadows of our beloved mountains, the Farmstead sits on land once carefully tended by the Cherokee people. The Asheville Farmstead honors their stewardship and remain dedicated to caring for this place with the same respect and reciprocity. 

Over the past decade, our land has become both classroom and teacher — offering endless opportunities for exploration, resilience, and connection to the rhythms of the natural world. The Asheville Farmstead has thoughtfully spent the last decade adding trails, classrooms, and growing spaces to transform the land into an oasis of free-play opportunities for our students and the community.

From our Sprouts early childhood program for ages 3 (and potty trained) through 6, to Littlest Learners, our homeschool enrichment and kindergarten prep program for ages 5–8, Asheville Farmstead School has grown to serve hundreds of children each year. For two wonderful years, the Asheville Farmstead also offered Explorers for ages 8 and up, expanding our forest learning model for older students. Each summer, Camp Farmstead brings children of all ages together for nature-themed summer camps full of play, creativity, and exploration. Through storytelling, nature play, gardening, animal care, and forest adventures, every program celebrates curiosity, empathy, and wonder—encouraging confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Rooted deeply in the local community, the Farmstead has partnered with families, educators, and organizations to share the wonders of forest schooling. From its free, public Family Discovery Days—welcoming families to explore campus, meet educators, and spend a Saturday morning outside—to founding what is now the Enka Candler Farmers Market, The Asheville Farmstead has continually sought ways to connect people through nature. 

It offers parenting classes for enrolled families and share our mission beyond campus by attending events like LEAF, Pride, and local tailgate markets with child-centered activity booths. Its partnerships within the community continue to strengthen our collective work toward a more sustainable and compassionate world.

At the heart of everything The Asheville Farmstead does is the children — muddy, joyful, curious, and kind. 

Whether observing crawdads in the creek, romping through the forest, or caring for the garden and the chickens, the students learn through doing, reflecting, and belonging. The Asheville Farmstead believes that when children are trusted and guided to learn from the land, they grow not only strong minds and bodies, but also deep respect for the Earth and empathy for all living things.

As the Asheville Farmstead celebrates this milestone, it looks back with gratitude and ahead with excitement. The roots it has grown over the past decade run deep — nourished by the families, staff, volunteers, and community who believe in this work. Together, they’ve created more than a school — they’ve grown a living, learning ecosystem where nature and childhood thrive side by side.

Visit the website  - ashevillefarmstead.org/ - for more information.