Building and enriching community in the Avon Hills of Central Minnesota
What is a Folk School?
Folk schools, originating in 19th-century Denmark, emphasize hands-on, intergenerational, and non-competitive learning for its own sake. They aim to preserve traditional skills lost to modern efficiency, valuing the satisfaction of craftsmanship and the sense of community it fosters. Folk schools serve as a response to cultural and technological changes, striving to retain creative, hands-on knowledge, while building and enriching our community in the process.
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
Upcoming Courses and Events
Planting the Summer Garden & Harvesting the Spring Garden
May 30, 2026
In this class we will tend to the spring-planted vegetables - weeding, harvesting, and flipping beds to plant summer crops. We will prepare soil to plant summer crops. While we are working in the garden, you can expect to learn from your instructor Sam about soil health, tillage, managing weeds, choosing varieties and planning your garden.
"The entire feeling of Avon Hills Folk School is inspiring and it's hard not to feel creative and energized while taking classes there."
Kind Words.
“The location is beautiful. The woods feel like home to me. It is far enough away from The Cities that it feels like a getaway, and I can experience more nature and dark skies than I can at home, but it is close enough that it doesn’t take long to get there.”
"Instructors were great. The environment was casual and very comfortable. Participants were engaged and very friendly."