Join us as we celebrate a decade of outdoor learning and help us plant the seeds for the next 10 years! Your sponsorship supports campus improvements, outdoor classrooms, family gear access, and hands-on learning materials—all while keeping tuition focused on paying our dedicated educators.
Thanks to generous community members and business leaders like YOU, Asheville Farmstead School has been able to sustain and grow for the past ten years—through natural disasters, a pandemic, and the ongoing work of building out our campus. Because of your support, children in our community have been able to spend their earliest years immersed in nature, sparking curiosity, building resilience, and learning in ways that will last a lifetime.
A Decade Rooted in Nature: Celebrating 10 Years of Asheville Farmstead School
By Founder and Executive Director: Lauren Roddick-Brown M.Ed, WFR
Ten years ago, a small seed was planted on 25 acres of land in Western North Carolina — a seed that has since grown into a thriving forest school community. The Asheville Farmstead began with a simple vision: to nurture children’s natural curiosity through hands-on, heart-led learning in the outdoors. After ten years of operating we believe we do that well, and are deeply energized to continue our work for decades to come!
About the Land
Nestled among the forests, creeks, and meadows of our beloved mountains, the Farmstead sits on land once carefully tended by the Cherokee people. We honor 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. We have 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.
Our Programs
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, we 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.
In the Community
Rooted deeply in our local community, the Farmstead has partnered with families, educators, and organizations to share the wonders of forest schooling. From our 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, we’ve continually sought ways to connect people through nature. We offer 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. Our partnerships within the community continue to strengthen our collective work toward a more sustainable and compassionate world.
With the Children
At the heart of everything we do are the children — muddy, joyful, curious, and kind. Whether observing crawdads in the creek, romping through the forest, or caring for the garden and our chickens, our students learn through doing, reflecting, and belonging. We believe 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.
Ten Years and Growing
As we celebrate this milestone, we look back with gratitude and ahead with excitement. The roots we’ve grown over the past decade run deep — nourished by the families, staff, volunteers, and community who believe in this work. Together, we’ve created more than a school — we’ve grown a living, learning ecosystem where nature and childhood thrive side by side.
Here’s to the next decade of learning, growing, and being rooted in nature,
Lauren
Sponsorship & Donor Tiers
All sponsors will receive a thank-you note and a tax donation receipt, and everything from the above categories
Blackeyed Susans | $100 – $249
- Mentioned on our 10-Year Celebration event webpage
Carolina Rose | $250 – $999
- Recognition on sponsor/donor poster displayed at the 10-Year Celebration event
Flame Azalea | $1,000 – $4,999
- Three dedicated posts on Asheville Farmstead School’s social media channels
- Logo/name listed on website and event program
- Quarter-page ad in event program
Paw Paw | $5,000 – $9,999
- One-time feature in our school newsletter
- Listed as a sponsor for one year at the bottom of all newsletters
- Half-page ad in event program
- Recognition during event remarks
Black Locust | $10,000+
- Naming opportunity on campus with a Farmstead-funded plaque and installation
- Recognized as Presenting Sponsor of the event
- Logo/name featured on all promotional materials (print, digital, social media)
- Full-page ad in event program
- Recognition during event remarks