Little School House on the Farm
Grant Award: $6,000
“The grant makes it possible for me to have a formal classroom in a rustic setting. It helps complete a vision that I have for this place.” ~ Elke Spirakis
Elke owns a diversified farm with a variety of livestock, bees and fruit trees, which she’s been developing since 1999. She breeds and markets heritage breed Jacobs sheep, moorit corriedales, llamas and angora rabbits, and sells honey, eggs and wool products.
For her WNC AgOptions project, she will further open her farm up to the public, particularly promoting the farm as a “hands-on” classroom for school children. Expenses include: improved parking and accessibility to the animals and marketing materials. She expects to increase farm income with the fees for class tours and workshops as well as the fiber supplies and goods sold to visitors.
See the farm’s website at www.wellspringfarm.com.