Rising Farmers Academy
ATHOME
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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.
Ages 5–12: Rising Farmers
Students dive into practical life skills such as gardening, seed planting, soil health, composting, and witnessing life cycles firsthand—from butterflies to chickens. They participate in chicken egg incubation, daily animal care, goat husbandry, simple building projects, and seasonal harvesting. Our program also teaches natural living through traditional crafts, like making tallow-based skincare products.
Through these experiences, students gain practical skills, a strong work ethic, responsibility, and a deeper appreciation for God’s provision. Rising Farmers Academy is where faith, learning, and the joy of the land come together to raise the next generation of self-sufficient, caring stewards.
Ages 13-18: Rising Farmers with a twist
Our new Teen Day gives older students the chance to experience farm life alongside hands-on survival training. Teens participate in the same farm activities as our younger Rising Farmers—caring for animals, tending gardens, and learning practical homestead skills—while also diving into weekly survival disciplines, including:
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Packs & Tools — choosing the right gear and crafting your own
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Cordage & Knots — essential rope skills for any outdoorsman
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Fire Craft — safe, reliable fire-starting and fire stewardship
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Shelter Building — from simple lean-tos to long-term structures
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Trapping & Hunting — basics for catching small game
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Plants & Foraging — edible, medicinal, and useful wild plants
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Navigation & Tracking — finding your way and reading animal signs
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Water Sourcing — locating, purifying, and storing clean water
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Outdoor Cooking & Primitive Tool Making
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Survival Mindset — observation, adaptability, and calm confidence
Lessons are anchored in Matthew 6:26–30, reminding students that if God faithfully cares for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, how much more will He care for us?
Less scrolling, more skills! Let's equip the next generation with skills, wisdom, confidence, and a deep trust in God's provision.
Program Schedule & Registration
Our programs run in 10-week sessions throughout the Fall, Winter, and Spring.
Winter Semester Enrollment Now Open! (We skip Christmas week but add an extra week to ensure a full 10-week program.)
Rising Farmers (Ages 5–12)
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Mondays: Dec 8, 2025 – Feb 16, 2026 | 9 AM–2 PM
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Fridays: Dec 12, 2025 – Feb 20, 2026 | 9 AM–2 PM
Rising Farmers with a twist (Ages 13–18)
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Thursdays: Dec 11, 2025 - Feb 19, 2026 9 AM–2 PM | Farm + Survival Skills
We are Step Up for Students Providers, so families can easily pay directly through their EMA portal.
How to Register
If using Step Up funds:
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Reserve your funds through the EMA portal
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Notify us once funds are reserved
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Complete registration on our website
If paying privately:
Click “Secure My Spot” below to register and reserve your child’s place.
More Than a Program—It's a Foundation for Life
With hands-on experience in gardening, animal care, life cycles, simple building, and natural living, students walk away from Rising Farmers Academy with far more than just knowledge. They gain practical life skills, a strong sense of responsibility and independence, and a deeper appreciation for God’s creation.
Through journaling, reflection, and daily interaction with the land and animals, students grow in confidence, character, and self-sufficiency—equipping them not just for homesteading, but for life.
As the seasons change, so do we—and we invite your family to grow with us. In the near future, we look forward to expanding the homestead experience with cows, bees, and more, offering even greater opportunities for hands-on learning and connection to the rhythms of creation.
Grow with us—season by season—as we raise up the next generation of skilled, thoughtful, and grounded young farmers.
Gardening Curriculum Overview
Our gardening curriculum is designed to teach students the full cycle of growing food—fostering responsibility, patience, and a deeper connection to God’s provision. Students will learn how to prepare healthy soil, understand plant needs, and explore natural composting methods to enrich the earth. They’ll gain hands-on experience in seed planting, tending seedlings, and caring for garden beds throughout the growing season.
Lessons include hydroponic gardening basics, where students discover soil-free methods of growing and the importance of water and nutrients. We also cover companion planting, pest management, and organic growing practices to help them understand sustainable food production.
As the season progresses, students will participate in the joy of harvesting their crops, learning when and how to gather produce properly, and how to clean, store, and even taste what they've grown. Throughout the program, emphasis is placed on the importance of stewardship, observation, and gratitude for the natural world.
Chicken Care & Life Cycle Curriculum Overview
Our chicken care curriculum offers students an exciting, hands-on opportunity to learn about the full life cycle of chickens—from egg to chick to laying hen. Students will actively participate in egg incubation, observing the development process and witnessing the miracle of hatching firsthand.
They’ll learn how to feed and water chickens properly, ensure their nutritional needs are met, and understand the importance of clean, safe habitats through regular coop cleaning and maintenance. Daily responsibilities include egg collection, recording observations, and learning about egg anatomy, production cycles, and factors that affect laying.
Throughout the season, students will explore basic chicken biology, different breeds and their purposes (egg-layers, dual-purpose, etc.), and understand how to identify signs of health or illness. They'll also gain practical experience in handling chickens respectfully and safely, reinforcing the values of responsibility, empathy, and stewardship.
From caring for fluffy chicks to gathering fresh eggs, students develop a foundational understanding of poultry care, while deepening their connection to the natural world and God's design in creation.
Goat Care & Husbandry Curriculum Overview
Our goat husbandry curriculum gives students the opportunity to build confidence and responsibility through hands-on care of our two playful Nigerian Dwarf goats, both under a year old. These gentle, friendly goats provide the perfect introduction to basic livestock care in a safe, engaging environment.
Students will learn essential skills including hoof care, daily feeding, and watering, maintaining a clean and comfortable goat shelter, and understanding proper handling techniques that prioritize animal safety and respect. They’ll also observe and assist with grooming, social behavior, and recognizing signs of health or distress.
Throughout the program, students explore basic goat anatomy, natural behaviors, and the purpose of goats in a homestead setting, including milk production and land clearing (though our goats are not currently milked due to their age). They'll learn how to safely navigate goat pens, reinforce fencing awareness, and observe how goats interact with each other and their environment.
By building relationships with our goats and participating in their daily care, students gain valuable knowledge in animal husbandry, while also cultivating patience, empathy, and a deeper appreciation for the role animals play in sustainable living.
Life Cycles Curriculum Overview
Our life cycles curriculum invites students to explore God’s design for growth and renewal through hands-on observation and care of butterflies, plants, and animals. Students will witness the transformation of caterpillars into butterflies, gaining a close-up understanding of metamorphosis and the beauty of change in nature.
They'll also experience the miracle of egg incubation and hatching, following the journey from fertilized egg to fluffy chick, while learning about embryonic development and the responsibilities of caring for new life. Through gardening activities, students observe the full plant life cycle—from seed to sprout to harvest—connecting the rhythms of nature with purposeful stewardship.
By studying and interacting with animals, insects, and plants, students develop a deeper appreciation for creation, while learning to care for living things with responsibility, patience, and curiosity.
Tallow Curriculum Overview
In this unique hands-on unit, students will learn the traditional art of rendering tallow—a nourishing, all-natural fat sourced from pasture-raised animals—and use it to create their own homemade skincare products. They'll follow the process from raw fat to smooth, clean tallow, learning about purification, blending with natural ingredients like essential oils, and safely preparing their own custom balm or lotion.
As they work, students will discover the benefits of tallow for the skin, including its deep moisturizing properties, skin barrier support, and compatibility with our body’s natural oils. This experience not only teaches valuable homesteading and self-sufficiency skills, but also encourages awareness of natural, chemical-free living.
Each student will take home a tallow-based product they made themselves, building pride in their craftsmanship and a deeper connection to resourceful, earth-conscious living.
Simple Building Skills Curriculum Overview
As part of our homestead program, students will have the opportunity to learn basic building skills through hands-on projects such as birdhouses, planter boxes, or other small structures. While we haven’t finalized the exact project, each activity will involve measuring, following simple instructions, and safely using basic tools like hammers and screwdrivers. All materials will be pre-cut, and students will be closely supervised to ensure a safe and fun learning experience. This unit helps build confidence, coordination, and practical life skills in a supportive group setting.
Entrepreneurship Curriculum Overview
In this hands-on unit, students will explore the foundations of entrepreneurship by learning how to take an idea and turn it into a real product or service. They'll gain an understanding of basic business principles such as budgeting, marketing, branding, customer service, and goal setting.
Through interactive lessons and guided projects, students will have the opportunity to create and pitch their own mini business, learning about pricing, profit, and presentation skills along the way. Emphasis is placed on creativity, responsibility, problem-solving, and using their unique talents to serve others.
By the end of the unit, students will walk away with real-world skills and a deeper understanding of what it means to be resourceful, confident, and purpose-driven in business.
Journaling/Crafts Curriculum Overview
Throughout the program, students will use journaling and creative crafts to reflect on what they’ve learned and apply it in meaningful, hands-on ways. Journals will be used weekly to record observations, track growth (in gardens and animals), document project progress, and express personal reflections—helping students build awareness, responsibility, and gratitude.
Craft activities will complement the curriculum by tying in themes from gardening, animal care, natural living, and entrepreneurship. Projects may include nature-inspired art, handmade garden markers, goat milk soap labels, or packaging for student-made products. These creative outlets allow students to express their learning visually and practically, reinforcing key concepts while nurturing imagination and fine motor skills.
Meet the Team
Rising Farmer's Academy
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.
