The Farm School
The Farm School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 that operates residential farm-based educational programs across nearly 400 acres in north central Massachusetts, serving over 1,500 children annually through visiting school groups, summer sessions, and a middle school cooperative.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersAthol, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Farm School does
The Farm School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization (EIN 22-2959081) founded in 1989 in north central Massachusetts, operating across nearly 400 acres straddling the towns of Athol and Orange. The organization runs an integrated portfolio of farm-based programs: the Program for Visiting Schools (PVS) serves over 1,500 children annually through 3-day residential visits by school groups of up to 40 students; the Summer Program offers 5- to 11-day residential sessions for youth ages 10-16; the Chicken Coop Middle School is a full-time homeschool cooperative for 10-14 local 7th and 8th graders (relocated to Stone by Stone Farm in North Orange for the 2024-25 academic year); the Nipmuc Land Project supports the Nipmuc Tribe's reacquaintance with ancestral lands at Pequoig Farm; the Food and Sharing Program redirects farm production to food-insecure communities; and the Strategic Development initiative, funded by a USDA SARE grant, addresses BIPOC farmland access in central Massachusetts. Named partner schools include Cambridge Friends School, Falmouth Academy, Boston Collegiate Charter School, The Advent School, Dedham Country Day School, Salem Carlton School, Charles River School, Sophia Academy, and San Miguel Providence.
The organization's operational core is a working farm encompassing vegetable gardens, young orchards, maple sugaring, dairy operations (up to 6 milking cows), livestock (pigs, beef cows, goats, chickens, oxen), woodlot management, and pasture. Students participate fully in all farm operations, integrating experiential learning with Massachusetts curriculum frameworks in math, literature, social studies, science, and writing. The organization has historically operated a 200-member vegetable CSA and 50-member meat CSA but concluded its 16-year Learn to Farm Program in 2020 and shifted food production toward a donation model.
The Farm School's revenue model is diversified across program tuition (sliding-scale visiting school fees tied to federal school lunch program participation, tiered summer program tuition ranging from $500 to $3,480 based on household income, and variable Chicken Coop Middle School tuition from $1,000 to $16,250 assessed via FACTS Grant and Aid application), tax-deductible individual donations (PayPal, Venmo, checks, stocks, Donor-Advised Fund grants), foundation grants (USDA SARE, United Way of North Central MA, Community Foundation of North Central Mass), and annual fundraising events. The Development and Storytelling Director is scoped to raise approximately $1-1.2 million annually. The organization is led by CEO Carmen Mouzon with a Board of Directors chaired by Ralph Wales, and operates with a staff of 1-10 employees.
The Farm School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Farm School
- Legal name
- The Farm School
- Website
- https://farmschool.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Farm School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 that operates residential farm-based educational programs across nearly 400 acres in north central Massachusetts, serving over 1,500 children annually through visiting school groups, summer sessions, and a middle school cooperative.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Farm School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Farm-Based Education
- NAICS
- Other Crop Farming (1119), Sheep and Goat Farming (1124), Hay Farming (111940)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Agricultural Production & Farm Operations (EDAOAOAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Agribusiness, Farm Management & Compliance (EDAOAOAN), Grazing & Pasture-Based Operations (Range, Rotational Grazing) (AFAEAFAG), Succession, Governance & Ownership Transition Advisory (AFACAJAO)
Keywords
Where The Farm School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Athol
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Farm School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Program Tuition: Revenue from visiting school programs, summer programs, and Chicken Coop Middle School tuition. Schools charged on sliding scale based on federally funded school lunch program participation. Summer programs use tiered tuition based on household income.
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations through PayPal, Venmo, check, stocks, and Donor-Advised Fund grants. The Farm School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 22-2959081).
- Foundation Grants: Funding from Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant, support from United Way of North Central MA, Community Foundation of North Central Mass, and other foundation partners.
- Fundraising Events: Annual Farm School Fundraising Benefit featuring concerts, live auctions featuring scholarships, and invitation-only events at Henrietta's Table at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square.
- Food Sales (Historical): Previously operated 200-member vegetable CSA and 50 member meat CSA. Now shifting to donation model for food distribution to food-insecure communities. Limited pork and beef available for sale by half/whole animal.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Chicken Coop School Full Tuition 2026-27 |
| Subscription | Annual | Chicken Coop School Sliding Scale |
| Subscription | Annual | Summer Program Tier A - High Income ($185,000+) |
| Subscription | Annual | Summer Program Tier B - Upper-Middle Income ($120,000-$184,999) |
| Subscription | Annual | Summer Program Tier C - Middle Income ($90,000-$119,999) |
| Subscription | Annual | Summer Program Tier D - Lower-Middle Income ($70,000-$89,999) |
| Subscription | Annual | Summer Program Tier E - Low Income ($50,000-$69,999) |
| Subscription | Annual | Summer Program Tier F - Very Low Income (up to $49,999) |
| Subscription | Annual | Program for Visiting Schools |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
The Farm School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Farm School operates a non-profit educational farm spanning nearly 400 acres in north central Massachusetts, delivering multi-day residential farm programs for visiting school groups, summer programs for youth ages 10-16, a full-time homeschool cooperative middle school, the Nipmuc Land Project with the Nipmuc Tribe, and a food donation program serving food-insecure communities. The organization integrates hands-on agricultural work with academic curriculum and offers immersive land-stewardship experiences.
Product overview
The Farm School is a non-profit educational organization offering multiple interweaving farm-based programs spread across nearly 400 acres in north central Massachusetts. The core offerings include the Program for Visiting Schools (multi-day residential farm experiences for school groups), the Summer Program (extended farm stays for youth ages 10-16), and the Chicken Coop Middle School (a full-time homeschool cooperative for 7th-8th graders). Supporting programs include the Nipmuc Land Project (indigenous land stewardship partnership), the Food and Sharing Program (food insecurity relief through farm production), and Strategic Development initiatives (BIPOC land access). The organization leverages FACTS for tuition assessment and PayPal/Venmo for donation processing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Program for Visiting Schools (PVS): Multi-day residential programs for school groups of up to 40 students, providing 3-day programs throughout the school year for over 1,500 children annually.
- Summer Program for Youth
- Chicken Coop Middle School
- Nipmuc Land Project
Products and services
- Program for Visiting Schools (PVS) Multi-day, residential farm-based educational program for school groups of up to 40 students each, serving over 1,500 children per year through 3-day visits throughout the school year. Targets partner schools across New England, with tuition on sliding scale tied to the school's participation in the federally funded school lunch program.
- Summer Program for Youth Extended farm stay programs for youth ages 10-16 during summer months, with sessions ranging from 5 to 11 days covering farming, animal care, hiking, and crafts. Includes gender-specific sessions and CampOUT for LGBTQIA+ youth. Tiered tuition based on household income ranging from $500 to $3,480.
- Chicken Coop Middle School Full-time homeschool cooperative for local 7th and 8th grade students located at Stone by Stone Farm in North Orange, MA, serving 10-14 students with a curriculum integrating farm life experiences and academics. Variable tuition using FACTS Grant and Aid application ranging from $1,000 minimum to $16,250 full rate for 2026-27.
- Nipmuc Land Project Initiative building and deepening relationships with the Nipmuc Community, supporting the tribe's reacquaintance and stewardship of ancestral lands at Pequoig Farm. Includes community meetings, gatherings, workshops, and traditional crop cultivation.
- Food and Sharing Program Food production and distribution program that redirects scaled vegetable and meat operations to address food insecurity in local Orange/Athol communities and partner-school communities. Partnerships include Quabbin Harvest senior share program.
- Strategic Development Initiative Land access initiative funded by Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant, collaborating with The Mount Grace Land Trust, East Quabbin Land Trust, and Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust to develop policies and practices that increase land transfers to BIPOC farmers and nonprofits.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1,500 children connect to the land annually through visiting school programs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Farm School
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
The Farm School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Farm School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Quabbin HarvestcorePartnership with Quabbin Harvest senior share program to serve families facing food insecurity in local Athol/Orange area. Farm School products available at their cooperative location. Collaboration expanded during COVID-19 to identify and serve families facing increased food insecurity.
- The Mount Grace Land TrustcoreCollaboration on Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education funded project to increase land access and land transfers to BIPOC farmers and nonprofits in central Massachusetts. Project goal is to define policies and practices that have contributed to racial demographic breakdowns of farmland ownership.
- East Quabbin Land TrustcoreCollaboration on SARE-funded strategic development project to increase land access for BIPOC farmers and nonprofits. Working together to develop and implement new policies and practices for increased BIPOC owned farmland and access to farming resources.
- Northeast Farmers of Color Land TrustcoreCollaboration on strategic development project for BIPOC land access. Working together to address the current racial demographic breakdown where over 96% of farmland in rural Massachusetts is owned by white farmers.
- Nipmuc Tribe / Pequoig FarmcoreBuilding and deepening relationships with Nipmuc Community. Farm formerly known as Maggie's is held by both Nipmuc Tribe members and Farm School staff to support Nipmuc's vision of reacquaintance and stewardship of ancestral lands. Tribe cultivates traditional crops while getting to know the land again.
- Stone by Stone FarmminorLocation where Chicken Coop Middle School relocated beginning '24-25 academic year, less than 10 minutes from main Farm School campus. Move created space for Nipmuc Tribe's relationship to ancestral lands.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Farm School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment: Nonprofit farm and education campus in Freeport, ME offering farm camp, school visits, and sustainable agriculture programming; directly comparable as a working farm hosting residential youth education.
- Chewonki Foundation: Nonprofit in Wiscasset, ME operating a 400-acre campus with a farm, residential summer camps, and school group programs; directly comparable as a New England residential farm-based education nonprofit.
- Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture: Nonprofit farm and education center in Pocantico Hills, NY offering farm-based learning programs for youth and adults; directly comparable as a working farm that delivers residential and educational programming.
- Hawthorne Valley Farm: Biodynamic farm and Waldorf-school-affiliated nonprofit in Ghent, NY with school programs, camp, and place-based learning; directly comparable farm-based education nonprofit serving school groups and youth.
- Shelburne Farms: Nonprofit educational farm in Shelburne, VT that hosts school programs, summer camps, and professional development on a 1,400-acre property; directly comparable as a farm-based residential education nonprofit serving school groups.
Broad incumbents
- Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (UC Santa Cruz): University-based farm and apprenticeship program at UC Santa Cruz with farm-based education and training; broadly comparable as an established farm-education institution though anchored in a public university.
- Teton Science Schools: Nonprofit in Jackson, WY operating residential place-based education programs for schools and youth including a working farm; broadly comparable as a multi-program residential outdoor education nonprofit.
Others
- Quabbin Harvest: Local food cooperative and senior share program in Orange/Athol, MA; comparable as a regional food-distribution partner rather than a competitor, and an existing distribution channel for Farm School produce.
- Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust: Land trust supporting BIPOC farmers across the Northeast; comparable as a collaborator on the SARE-funded BIPOC land access project rather than a direct competitor.
Emerging players
- Green Mountain Farm-to-School: Nonprofit in Newport, VT delivering farm-to-school programming and school garden education; comparable as a New England farm-education nonprofit serving schools, though lighter on residential programming.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Farm School social profiles
Digital presenceThe Farm School compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Farm School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Farm School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
The Farm School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Farm School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Farm School
What does The Farm School do?
The Farm School operates a non-profit educational farm spanning nearly 400 acres in north central Massachusetts, delivering multi-day residential farm programs for visiting school groups, summer programs for youth ages 10-16, a full-time homeschool cooperative middle school, the Nipmuc Land Project with the Nipmuc Tribe, and a food donation program serving food-insecure communities. The organization integrates hands-on agricultural work with academic curriculum and offers immersive land-stewardship experiences.
Is The Farm School a public or private company?
The Farm School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Farm School founded?
The Farm School was founded in 1989. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Farm School based?
The Farm School is headquartered in Athol, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Farm School make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Program Tuition is the primary driver. The others are donations and Charitable Contributions, foundation Grants, fundraising Events and food Sales (Historical).
Who are The Farm School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment, Chewonki Foundation, Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, Hawthorne Valley Farm and Shelburne Farms. Broad incumbents are Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (UC Santa Cruz) and Teton Science Schools. Others are Quabbin Harvest and Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust. Green Mountain Farm-to-School is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Farm School have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Farm School.
What industry is The Farm School in?
The Farm School's product category is Farm-Based Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOAOAA, Agricultural Production & Farm Operations, with a secondary code of EDAOAOAN, Agribusiness, Farm Management & Compliance. Its NAICS code is 1119 and its SIC code is 700.