Rainbow Ridge Gardens includes the vegetable gardens, fruit orchards, and animal husbandry aspects of Asheville Farmstead School and our forest school gardening program. We believe that the best way to make a connection to nature, living organisms, and nutrition is to be involved in these parts of our world on a daily basis.

Six young children curiously watch a gardener watering plants at Asheville Farmstead School, an outdoor forest school focused on nature-based education, sustainability, and hands-on learningWhy Farmstead Learning Benefits Your Child

At Rainbow Ridge Gardens (the name of our on-campus gardens), we believe that hands-on experiences in farming and gardening cultivate lifelong skills and values. Our garden-based education program at Asheville Farmstead School fosters environmental stewardship, healthy habits, essential life skills, and a love for the land.

Life Skills for a Sustainable Future: Working with plants and animals teaches children responsibility, problem-solving, and compassion. Whether it's feeding our free-range hens, checking for eggs, or tending to our vegetable gardens, children gain a deep appreciation for the effort it takes to sustain life. These skills translate into better communication, patience, and respect for nature—all essential for future leaders and environmental advocates.

Hands-On Science Learning: Our gardens serve as a living classroom where children learn about plant life cycles, soil health, and seasonal changes. They apply math and science concepts by measuring plant growth, spacing seeds, and observing pollination. These experiences create a strong foundation for environmental literacy and science education.

Improved Health & Well-Being: Farm-based learning encourages physical activity through gardening, animal care, and outdoor exploration. But beyond movement, it nourishes the soul, mind, and body. Time spent in nature has been shown to reduce stress, strengthen the immune system, and foster a sense of inner peace. Digging in the soil, caring for animals, and witnessing the rhythms of the natural world help children develop a deep, intuitive connection to the land and their food. When children harvest a carrot or pick a ripe tomato they’ve nurtured, they develop a sense of pride and curiosity about food—helping them build a lifelong appreciation for the nourishment nature provides.

Colorful Rainbow Ridge Gardens logo with text that says: hand grown and picked by the kids at Asheville Farmstead School. The logo has colorful carrots and a pencil that looks like a carrot.

Building Environmental Stewards Through Gardening

Gardening is more than just growing food—it’s a tool for teaching children about science, sustainability, and self-sufficiency. At Rainbow Ridge Gardens, we integrate gardening into daily learning, helping students build a deep, lasting connection to nature.

Knowledge of Food & Nature: Many children today don’t know where their food comes from. At Rainbow Ridge Gardens, students experience the full farm-to-table cycle, from planting seeds to tending to crops to harvesting fruits and vegetables. This hands-on education fosters environmental awareness, respect for life cycles, and an understanding of how human actions impact ecosystems.

Encouraging Responsibility & Patience: Growing plants takes time, dedication, and problem-solving. By caring for their own garden plots, children develop patience, accountability, and resilience. Learning to troubleshoot garden issues, like pest management or unexpected weather changes, encourages critical thinking and adaptability. These skills will carry them into the future of caring for our planet.

 



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