“Experiences like these remind you to slow down, listen, and look.”

“There’s always a sense of intentionality, community and connection to each other and the earth during our time together and I believe that’s how Carroll and Ashley have created the Folk School to be, which is really special in today’s typically fast-paced society.” —CFS Student

We are honored to hear from students like this one. This is exactly our goal at the Cumberland Folk School. A class is a lesson in a craft or skill, but it’s also a time to step out of your day-to-day rhythm into an experience that holds space to be in the moment and connect with like minded people in a beautiful, peaceful environment compete with a nourishing meal. Students repeatedly tell us how rejuvenated and accomplished they feel after a class with us.

Meals from Sequatchie Cove Farm

Enjoy farm fresh meals included in the class tuition. All of the meals at classes are prepared on the farm made from close to 100% ingredients from the farm and other local producers, or provided by Mallory of LUNCH, Sewanee who shares our standards in sourcing from local producers.

After your class visit the Trading Post and stock up on goods produced at Sequatchie Cove Farm. Choose from a wide variety of pasture-raised meats, vegetables, grains, sorghum, eggs, and cheeses from Sequatchie Cove Creamery.

Shop at the Farm Stand

Some of our previous classes

  • Fresh Indigo Dyeing

    Dye with fresh indigo on protein fibers to achieve light-medium blues.

    Annually offered class!

  • Mushroom Foraging

    Essential mushroom biology and romp through the woods in search of choice edibles.

    Annually offered class!

  • Fall Migration Birding

    Learn bird identification by sight and sound

    Bi-annually offered class!

  • White Oak: From Tree to Basket

    Basket weaving with split White Oak

  • Fermenting the Harvest

    Simple techniques to make your own kraut, kimchi, and other fermented delicacies.

  • Visible Mending

    Learn to repair clothes with creative visible mending techniques

  • Beeswax Candle-making

    Hand-dipped taper candles, a holiday tradition.

    Offered annually in November & December!

  • Kudzu Basketry

    Learn to weave a basket using Kudzu vines.

  • Pastry at Home

    Pastry at Home

    Basics of lamination and making croissants at home.

  • Shaker Divided Carrier

    Basic woodworking to make bentwood Shaker Divided Tray.

  • Katazome Printing

    Traditional Japanese printing using rice and clay pastes.

  • Hand Brooms

    Hand brooms in several styles

  • Baking with Einkorn

    Techniques to bake with Ancient grain Einkorn

  • Wreath Making

    Seasonal wreaths from natural materials

  • Manx Quilt Block

    Quilt block techniques measured off one’s own hand and sewn by hand

  • Winter Wellness

    Herbal medicine for wellness and immune support

  • Spoon Carving

    Techniques to carve wood in the slojd style.

  • Botanical Printing

    Extracting dyes from whole plants to make prints on textiles

  • Book Binding

    Italian Long Stitch hand sewn journals

  • Herbal Apothecary Garden

    Growing and making medicine with medicinal herbs

  • Whole Hog Butchering

    Processing your own whole animal

Lodging For Students

We offer camping on the farm just a short walk from the Studio. You will have access to a beautiful campground with a swimming hole and outhouse.

Rent a room in the studio during your class

We have 1-2 rooms available in the Studio where classes take place. Email Ashley@cumberlandfolkschool.com for availability and to reserve (will say “sold out” in our online store, this is not representative of actual availability).

Other Accommodations Near by

The Wool Attic at Summer Fields

We also recommend this air bnb on a sheep farm in Monteagle,TN owned and operated by our friends Jess and Nate Wilson. It’s a pleasant drive, about 30 minutes from Sequatchie Cove Farm.

Lyric Grin - Hip Camp

We recommend this hip camp located on a 325 acre land trust owned and operated by our good friends Leah and Patrick Kimmons. They are located about 20 minutes from us and a lovely drive up the valley.

Fireside Camp and Lodge

Charming cabin, house and camping options within a 15 minute drive, located on top of the mountain.