What connolly ranch does

Connolly Ranch Education Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers nature-based education programs from a 13-acre historic property at 3141 Browns Valley Road in Napa, California. Founded when the first field trip was hosted in 1993 and formally incorporated as a nonprofit in 2009, the organization serves over 11,000 visitors annually through a portfolio that spans early childhood education (Parent-Child Classes for ages 0–3, Earthlings Playschool for ages 3–4, Explorers Playschool for ages 5–6), grade-school programming (Outdoor Afterschool, Wildings Homeschool Enrichment for grades 1–8), TK–8 seasonal and farm-to-table field trips, school-break camps, and 100% outdoor summer camps including a Counselors-in-Training (CILT) track for ages 13–15 and an internship for ages 16–18. The property itself is the core delivery asset: outdoor classrooms, a working farm with 30+ animals, edible and pollinator gardens, a labyrinth, and preserved upland coastal live oak habitat.

The organization teaches through a proprietary "In-With-For Learning & Relationships" framework that integrates Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and Forest School methodologies around three modalities — IN nature (distant relationships), WITH nature (intimate relationships), and FOR nature (integrated relationships) — delivered in a deliberately screen-free environment with a 6:1 student-to-educator ratio in playschool. Programs are run by an in-house team of approximately 15+ named educators and operational staff led by Executive Director Heidi Soldinger, Early Childhood/Preschool Director Cindy Studdert, and Program Director Riley Smith; governance is provided by a board chaired by Ann Danielson.

Revenue is generated through five streams: recurring educational tuition billed monthly (playschool $458–$2,297, afterschool $285, homeschool enrichment $248); transaction-based field trip fees with tiered Title 1 pricing ($325–$1,350) and standard pricing ($450–$1,725); one-time event ticketing ($5–$60/family) for Sunday Farm Open Houses, Earth Night, and cooking classes; the "Become a Farmer" annual sponsorship program; and charitable donations processed through Bloomerang and QGiv. Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer via Try Playground, UltraCamp, Appointy, and Eventbrite, supplemented by channel partnerships with three homeschool charter schools (Compass, Heartwood, Visions In Education) that allow families to apply charter funding to programs. The land is held by the Land Trust of Napa County following Peggy Connolly's early-1990s donation; the organization carries GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency and reports no venture capital or private equity backing.

Name

connolly ranch

Legal name

Connolly Ranch Education Center

Website

https://connollyranch.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Connolly Ranch Education Center is a Napa, California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit delivering nature-based education — playschool, homeschool enrichment, school field trips, and camps — to over 11,000 children and families annually on a 13-acre working farm property.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nature-Based Education Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Academic Enrichment Camps (General Studies) (EDAMALAB)

Keywords

• Nature-based education
• Outdoor preschool programs
• School environmental field trips
• Farm-based youth camps
• Community farm experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Napa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Educational Program Tuition: Recurring revenue from playschool, parent-child classes, homeschool enrichment, outdoor afterschool, and camp programs. Pricing varies by program type, frequency, and duration.
2. Community Events & Farm Open Houses: One-time ticket sales for Sunday Farm Open Houses, seasonal events, and farm-to-table cooking classes.
3. Donations & Fundraising: Charitable contributions from individuals, sponsors, and fundraising events (Dinner at the Ranch, Harvest Festival). Connolly Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; Tax ID: 80-0493340.
4. Become a Farmer Sponsorship Program: Annual sponsorship program allowing organizations and individuals to support the ranch with benefits including signage, social media recognition, and private visits.
5. School Field Trips: Revenue from field trip programs for schools, with tiered pricing for Title 1 schools and standard pricing, based on student count.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Connolly Ranch Education Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers nature-based education and farm experiences on a 13-acre property in Napa. It sells early-childhood classes, playschool, afterschool and homeschool enrichment, standards-aligned school field trips, and school-break and summer camps, supplemented by ticketed open houses, community events, and sponsorship opportunities.

Product overview

Connolly Ranch Education Center is a nonprofit nature-based education organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs centered on connecting children and families to nature through farm and outdoor experiences. The core offering spans early childhood education (Parent-Child Classes, Earthlings and Explorers Playschool), school-age programming (Outdoor Afterschool, Homeschool Enrichment, Field Trips), and seasonal camps (One-Day, School Break, and Summer Camps). The organization also operates community engagement programs including Sunday Farm Open House, annual events (Earth Night, Dinner at the Ranch, Harvest Festival, Green Friday, Kids Bird Count), and volunteer opportunities. Supporting services include Financial Assistance, a Playschool Co-Op for reduced tuition, and High School Internship programs. All programs emphasize hands-on farm-to-table experiences, animal stewardship, garden cultivation, and environmental education using a discovery-based curriculum inspired by Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and Forest School approaches.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Parent-Child Classes Nature-based classes for caregivers and children ages 0-3.5, with farm-animal interactions, seasonal activities, circle time, and hands-on outdoor exploration.
• Earthlings Playschool Outdoor preschool program for children ages 3-4 focused on nature-based learning, dual-language acquisition, early literacy, math, science, and exploration of farm, garden, and wild spaces.
• Explorers Playschool Outdoor TK/Kinder program for children ages 5-6 emphasizing early literacy, math, science, classroom-readiness skills, and environmental education in outdoor classrooms.
• Outdoor Afterschool Wednesday afternoon program for students in grades 1-8 offering animal care, hiking, nature crafts, games, and farm-to-table cooking activities.
• Outdoor Homeschool Enrichment Homeschool enrichment program accepting charter-school funding from Compass, Heartwood, and Visions In Education for students from TK through grade 8, including playschool, Wildings, and outdoor afterschool offerings.
• Seasonal Field Trips Hands-on farm-based educational field trips for students in TK-8 aligned with California state standards and featuring animal encounters, garden activities, and fall, winter, or spring themes.
• Farm-to-Table Field Trips Extended field-trip experience for students in TK-8 with cooking activities, seasonal menu preparation, garden-to-table experiences, and culinary teamwork.
• One-Day School Break Camps Single-day camp programs on Napa Valley Unified School District professional learning days for students in TK-5, with farm activities, nature crafts, and seasonal outdoor exploration.
• School Holiday Camps Multi-day camps during Thanksgiving, winter, and spring breaks for students in TK-8, including farm-to-table cooking, animal interactions, and seasonal projects.
• Summer Camp 100% outdoor summer camp for children ages 3-12, with leadership and internship options for older teens, featuring farm-to-table cooking, animal stewardship, overnight campouts, and week-long themed sessions.
• Farm-to-Table Family Cooking Classes Family cooking classes led by educators or guest chefs that teach participants to prepare complete shared farm-to-table meals.
• Sunday Farm Open House Self-guided weekend farm experience for families and community visitors with animal viewing, seasonal activities, and optional farm-to-table family cooking classes.
• Earth Night Family stargazing event featuring guided constellation identification, telescope viewing, and hot chocolate in collaboration with Cosmos Club astronomers.
• Dinner at the Ranch Annual adult fundraiser combining hands-on nature education, a farm-to-table dinner prepared by Chef Ryan Scott, a silent auction, and related fundraising activities.
• Harvest Festival Annual fall community event with farm-animal encounters, garden tours, seasonal crafts, local-vendor tastings, and family activities.
• Become a Farmer Sponsorship Program Annual sponsorship program through which individuals and organizations support Connolly Ranch in exchange for benefits such as signage, social-media recognition, and private visits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11,000+ visitors served annually across all programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Napa-Solano Audubon SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Kids Bird Count partnership with Napa-Solano Audubon Society, presented as part of Christmas Bird Count 4 Kids. Society provides training on birding strategies and binocular boot camp, with participants counting birds throughout Napa parks and open spaces.
• Cosmos Club (Guest Astronomers)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest astronomers from Cosmos Club provide guided stargazing experiences during Earth Night events, including constellation identification and telescope viewing sessions.
• Chef Ryan ScottminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChef Ryan Scott curates and prepares the farm-to-table dinner for the annual Dinner at the Ranch fundraiser event held in the Oak and Bay Laurel Grove.
• Chris Marchino (Guest Chef)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest chef Chris Marchino leads select Farm-to-Table Family Cooking Classes with emphasis on culinary instruction, technique, and preparing complete shared meals including pizza and pasta.
• Compass Charter SchoolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party provider partnership allowing Compass Charter School students to use homeschool funding for Outdoor Homeschool Enrichment programs at Connolly Ranch.
• Heartwood Charter SchoolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party provider partnership allowing Heartwood Charter School students to use homeschool funding for Outdoor Homeschool Enrichment programs at Connolly Ranch.
• Visions In EducationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party provider partnership allowing Visions In Education students to use homeschool funding for Outdoor Homeschool Enrichment programs at Connolly Ranch.
• VINE TransitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVine Transit provides bus transportation for Napa school field trips to Connolly Ranch with subsidized rates ($1.25/student, $2/adult each way) and 3 available buses.
• Land Trust of Napa CountycoreOthersLand Trust of Napa County owns the property where Connolly Ranch Education Center operates. Peggy Connolly donated the property to the Land Trust in the early 1990s, establishing the protected place for children's nature education.
• Local Vendors (Harvest Festival)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal food and beverage vendors participate in Harvest Festival events, including Tacos el Muchacho Alegre, That's My Dawg, Cafe Gira Flohr, and local cider producers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Slide Ranch: Slide Ranch is a Bay Area nonprofit teaching environmental education through farm-based experiences for children and families on its coastal property. Direct peer as both operate outdoor, farm-based nature education programs serving similar demographics in Northern California.
• Hidden Villa: Hidden Villa is a nonprofit educational organization in Los Altos Hills, CA offering farm-based summer camps, environmental education, and school programs. Direct peer with overlapping programs (camps, school field trips, nature-based learning) and a similar multi-acre historic property model.
• Shelburne Farms: Shelburne Farms is a nonprofit education center on a historic 1,400-acre Vermont farm offering summer camps, school programs, and educator training. Direct peer due to farm-based education nonprofit model with school programs, camps, and property-based programming.
• Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture: Stone Barns Center is a nonprofit farm and education center in New York offering farm-based education, camps, and culinary programs. Direct peer for the farm-to-table education, school programs, and family events model.
• Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment: Wolfe's Neck Center is a Maine-based nonprofit farm offering farm camps, school programs, and educational experiences focused on sustainable agriculture. Direct peer for the farm-based education nonprofit model with camps and school field trips.
• Angelic Organics Learning Center: Angelic Organics Learning Center is an Illinois nonprofit offering farm-based education programs, summer camps, and school field trips on a working organic farm. Direct peer for the farm-education nonprofit model serving similar audiences.
• Coastal Roots Farm: Coastal Roots Farm is a San Diego nonprofit farm offering farm-based education, summer camps, and community programs. Direct peer for the Jewish-community-anchored farm education model with school programs and family events.

Emerging players

• The Ecology Center: The Ecology Center is a Southern California nonprofit offering environmental education, workshops, and youth programs with an urban farm. Emerging player with overlapping environmental education and youth programming, though more urban-focused.

Regional players

• Ardenwood Historic Farm: Ardenwood Historic Farm is a regional park in Fremont, CA offering farm-based educational programs, school field trips, and seasonal events. Regional peer operating in Northern California with similar farm education programming but as a public park rather than independent nonprofit.

Others

• Save the Sound: Save the Sound is a regional environmental nonprofit offering nature-based education and citizen science programming. Other category peer for environmental nonprofit and education mission, though focused on water/watershed rather than farm-based education.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/connolly-ranch

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about connolly ranch