From Summer Camp to Year-Round Learning: How a Small Farm Can Grow Community and Income
At Growing Augusta: Arts, Agriculture, & Agency; we’re gearing up to host our very first summer ag camp—a two-week experience full of sunshine, soil, and sweet baby goats! But this camp isn’t just a one-time event. It’s the launchpad for something even bigger: a year-round calendar of engaging, hands-on learning experiences that bring people back to the farm again and again.
If you’re a small farm owner (or dreaming of becoming one), this post is for you. We're sharing how farm-based learning experiences can serve your community and generate a little extra income—without needing to host a full camp every month.
🌿 Our Camp Was Just the Beginning
This July, we’re opening our gates to children in grades 3–8 for our Rooted In Nature Farm Summer Camp, a collaborative program designed to teach kids about gardening, animal care, and sustainability. Over two weeks, campers will build garden beds, feed and groom farm animals, create art from natural materials, and reflect on the world around them.
Planning this camp made us realize: the magic doesn’t need to stop after July 25.
Small farms like ours are uniquely positioned to offer bite-sized, 45- to 75-minute experiences that engage families, school groups, or even adults looking for meaningful ways to connect with the land.
🌼 What Can a Small Farm Offer? A Lot More Than You Think.
Even with just a few acres, some animals, and a willingness to get creative, you can build offerings that blend education, fun, and nature.
🍅 Experiences You Can Host on Your Own:
Feed & Learn Animal Encounters – Let visitors brush a goat, gather eggs, and learn what it takes to care for farm animals.
Mini Garden Workshops – Teach kids how to plant herbs or veggies in a pot they can take home.
Storytime on the Farm – Perfect for littles; combine a picture book with a short nature walk.
Compost 101 – Help families start their own compost jar or pile at home.
Farm Journaling Walks – Guided time in nature with reflection and sketching—great for homeschoolers.
These activities are low-cost, easy to repeat, and can be run with just one or two staff or volunteers.
🤝 Even Better with Friends: Partner for Impact
Some of the most exciting ideas come to life when you team up. Here are a few collaborative experiences we’re exploring next:
Pollinator Power – Build bee hotels with local master gardeners or a beekeepers club.
Farm to Fork Snacks – Harvest ingredients, then prep a farm-fresh snack with a local chef or culinary student.
Art on the Farm – Invite a local artist to lead kids in nature-based sculpture or painting.
Animal Care 101 – Partner with a local vet or animal rescue for a pet care demo.
Mindful Farm Days – Think yoga in the pasture or nature-based journaling with a wellness instructor.
These partnerships build community AND take the pressure off of you to lead every detail.
💵 And Yes—It Can Make a Little Money
Let’s be real—farming is fulfilling, but it’s not always financially easy. Offering seasonal events and workshops is a simple way to generate additional income while doing what you love.
Charge $10–$25 per person depending on the activity. Offer private sessions for small groups or field trips. Bundle experiences into seasonal packages (think Fall on the Farm or Spring Garden Club).
Even if you don’t go full-scale, these offerings can create new revenue streams, new friendships, and new advocates for your farm.
🪴 Let Your Farm Be a Classroom
At Growing Augusta, we believe every small farm has the power to teach, inspire, and grow community. Whether you're offering a full camp, a one-hour seed-starting workshop, or a goat meet-and-greet, you’re planting seeds of knowledge and connection that will grow long after your guests head home.
Want help dreaming up your own farm-based learning experiences? We’d love to collaborate or share what we’ve learned!
📩 Stay connected by joining our newsletter or following us on Instagram @GrowingAugusta.
🌻 And if you're a parent, educator, or group leader—come visit us soon. The farm is open, and learning is in season.