Rising Farmers Academy
A Christ-centered, hands-on farm school where faith, skills, and stewardship grow season by season.
Rising Farmers Academy is a faith-based learning enrichment program for homeschool students, nestled on our beautiful 6-acre homestead.
Here, children grow in knowledge, character, and self-sufficiency through hands-on experiences that connect them with God’s creation.
Schedule & Registration
Choose your program day, then follow the registration steps below to reserve your spot.
Step Up for Students
1. Reserve Step Up for Students funds for Rising Farmers Academy.
2. Contact us to let us know your funds are reserved.
3. You will receive a coupon code to complete registration on our website.
Tuition paid directly through your EMA account.
We’re happy to walk you through the Step Up process and help you complete enrollment.
More than a program
A Foundation for Life
Through hands-on experiences in gardening, animal care, life cycles, simple building, and natural living, students leave Rising Farmers Academy with far more than knowledge. They gain practical life skills, a strong sense of responsibility and independence, and a deeper appreciation for God’s creation.
As the seasons change, so do we. We invite your family to grow with us—season by season—as we raise the next generation of skilled, thoughtful, and grounded young farmers.
Matthew 6: 26-30
Stewardship | Responsibility | Self-Sufficiency | Work Ethic | Life Cycles & God’s Design | Confidence
Curriculum Highlights
Rooted in faith. Built through real work. Designed for life.
Gardening & Soil Stewardship
Students learn the full cycle of growing food—from healthy soil and seed planting to tending, harvesting, and enjoying what they’ve grown—building responsibility, patience, and a deeper appreciation for God’s provision.
Hands-on lessons include soil preparation, composting, hydroponic gardening basics, companion planting, and organic pest management, giving students a strong foundation in sustainable food production.
Through real work in the garden, students develop practical skills, observation, stewardship, and gratitude for the land and the food it provides.
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Soil preparation & composting
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Seed planting & seasonal garden care
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Hydroponic gardening basics
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Companion planting & organic pest control
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Harvesting & food appreciation
Animal Care & Husbandry
Students learn hands-on animal care through daily interaction with chickens, goats, and other farm animals—developing responsibility, confidence, and respect for God’s creation.
They practice real-life husbandry skills, learning how to observe animal behavior, recognize signs of health or concern, and provide proper care through routine tasks and seasonal needs.
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Daily animal care routines
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Chicken care, egg collection & incubation
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Goat care, handling & basic husbandry
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Observing animal health & behavior
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Hoof care basics & animal stewardship
Life Cycles & God's Design
Students explore the rhythms of life by observing God’s design through plant and animal life cycles—from seed to harvest, egg to chick, and caterpillar to butterfly.
Through hands-on experiences, they learn patience, careful observation, and responsibility while developing a deeper understanding of how God’s creation works together with purpose and order.
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Butterfly life cycle observation & release
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Chicken egg incubation & chick development
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Plant growth from seed to harvest
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Seasonal changes & natural rhythms
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Stewardship and care for living things
Simple Building & Farm Projects
Students learn foundational building skills through hands-on farm projects that teach problem-solving, teamwork, and safe tool use.
From planning and measuring to building and repairing, students gain confidence as they work with their hands and see the tangible results of their effort.
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Measuring, planning & basic construction skills
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Simple building projects using real materials
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Tool awareness & safety fundamentals
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Fence, coop & farm structure projects
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Teamwork, responsibility & work ethic
Natural Skincare & Entrepreneurship
Students learn the foundations of natural skincare by creating simple, nourishing products using traditional ingredients and hands-on methods.
Through the process of making, labeling, and understanding these products, students are introduced to basic entrepreneurship concepts—learning how skills, stewardship, and creativity can provide for real needs.
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Making tallow-based skincare products
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Understanding natural ingredients & their uses
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Product creation, labeling & presentation
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Introduction to entrepreneurship & responsibility
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Stewardship, creativity & purposeful work
TEEN DAY: FARM & SURVIVAL SKILLS
Teen Day builds on the same farm foundations while introducing hands-on survival and leadership skills that challenge students to think critically, work as a team, and take responsibility for real outcomes.
Through guided instruction and practical application, teens gain confidence, resilience, and the ability to problem-solve—learning skills that prepare them not just for the outdoors, but for life.
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Farm operations, animal care & leadership responsibilities
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Shelter building & basic construction techniques
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Fire craft, tool use & safety fundamentals
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Navigation, tracking & situational awareness
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Water sourcing, purification & outdoor cooking
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Cordage, knots & practical field skills
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Survival mindset: observation, adaptability & calm confidence
Anchored in Matthew 6:26–30, reminding students that as they learn to prepare and provide, God remains our ultimate provider.
Meet the Team
At Rising Farmers Academy, we’re more than just a team—we’re literally family. Each of us brings unique gifts, experiences, and passions to the table, and together we create a warm, supportive environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive.
We love working side by side, combining our strengths to build something meaningful and lasting. Whether it's farming, teaching, or simply caring for others, we believe in doing it all with joy, purpose, and unity.
ATHOME-stead Owner
Tony Quinonez
Tony is a pilot with a passion for flying and is currently working toward becoming a commercial pilot. He’s a hardworking, creative leader with a strong work ethic and a heart for serving others. Whether he’s building something with his hands, creating art, or leading his family, Tony brings dedication and joy to everything he does.
He also spent seven years as an animal keeper at SeaWorld, where he gained valuable knowledge in animal behavior and husbandry—experience that continues to benefit life on the farm today.
Tony loves the Lord, and it shows in how he leads, teaches, and lives. Known for his sense of humor and warm personality, he’s the guy everyone loves to be around. As the founder and instructor of Rising Farmers Academy, Tony is excited to guide students on a hands-on journey into farming, creativity, and self-sufficiency.
ATHOME-stead Owner
Lead Instructor
Angela Quinonez
Angela is a registered nurse with 13 years of ICU experience, including many years in cardiovascular ICU caring for patients on life support and recovering from open-heart surgeries. She’s always loved nursing and has a deep passion for serving and caring for others—something she now also pours into her land, animals, and students.
As co-founder of Rising Farmers Academy, Angela is excited to share her journey of homesteading and self-sufficiency. She loves to spend time with her animals (especially looking forward to getting cows!), gardening, and living close to the land. She’s eager to teach students what she’s learned and to grow alongside them.
She gives all glory to God for the ability, desire, and opportunity to live out this calling. For her, this journey is more than a lifestyle—it’s a mission, and it’s all for Him.
Teacher's Assistant
Maddie
Madilynn, or Maddie, is 18 and just graduated high school. This past fall, she began ministry school at JESUS School, where she’s pursuing her passion for serving the Lord. For the past three years, Maddie has faithfully led a group of teens in weekly discipleship and prayer, demonstrating her heart for ministry and her commitment to helping others grow in their faith.
She’s always had a special gift with children—since she was a child herself, she’s naturally taken younger ones under her wing. Maddie continues to nurture that calling through babysitting and teaching whenever she can.
She’ll be helping at Rising Farmers Academy as her schedule allows, and she’s thrilled for the opportunity to teach children about farming and self-sustainability. Maddie brings a warm, nurturing spirit and a natural ability to connect with kids. We know they’re going to love learning from her!
Teacher's Assistant
Olivia
Olivia is a vibrant, homeschooled teen who is 17 and is looking forward to graduating high school soon. She brings a fun, spunky energy to the Homestead that kids are naturally drawn to. Outgoing and full of life, Olivia adds a joyful spark to everything she’s involved in.
She loves animals and, like Angela, is especially excited about the idea of bringing cows to the farm. Olivia is also looking forward to joining 4-H and hopes to start showing steers and raising them for the youth auction. Like many teens, she’s eager to work hard, learn new skills, and earn some extra money along the way. Bright, enthusiastic, and full of potential, Olivia is a wonderful part of the Rising Farmers Academy team.
Teacher's Assistant
Emma
Emma is 15 years old and has a gentle, sincere spirit that shines in everything she does. She has a natural gift with children—every child who meets her adores her—and she has a special way of connecting through play, care, and kindness.
Emma is also incredibly responsible and helpful around the farm. She cares for horses at a nearby ranch, earning riding lessons through her hard work, and spends much of her time with the animals, learning and tending to their needs with genuine love and knowledge. Her experience makes her a valuable part of the Rising Farmers Academy team.
Beyond the farm, Emma leads a weekly prayer call for teens, and she loves to dance and sing. Her heart for the Lord and others is truly something special, and we’re so thankful to have her sharing her gifts with the students.
Student/Teacher's Assistant
Harper
Harper🤍 is just six years old and homeschooled, growing up right in the heart of the farm life her older sisters only dreamed of having at her age. From gathering farm-fresh eggs to helping in the garden and enjoying the fruits of the harvest, Harper is already learning the beauty of tending to the land.
This fall, she’ll be joining the classes and learning alongside the other students at Rising Farmers Academy—and with all her hands-on experience, she’ll also have a lot of knowledge to share and help teach the other children!
Her sisters often say how blessed she is to grow up surrounded by animals and nature—and Harper, in turn, is so blessed to have three amazing teenage sisters who love her dearly. She may not realize it yet, but she’s living something really special!
Smart, sweet, and incredibly helpful, Harper is full of curiosity and joy. She’s especially excited to one day take full responsibility for her own animals—starting with a bunny rabbit! She’s a precious part of the Rising Farmers Academy family, and we can’t wait to see how she continues to grow and shine.