What is the Driftless Folk School?
At the Driftless Folk School we aim to make the skills and knowledge necessary for a harmonious life more widely available to the people of the Driftless Region and beyond. We are rooted in Vernon County, between the Mississippi and the Kickapoo Rivers at the heart of the Driftless Region. Join us to explore traditional and contemporary strategies for sustainable living, to experience the beauty of the region through the arts and natural history, and to participate in an ongoing dialogue on meaningful issues and ideas in the classroom, in the garden, or over the dinner table.
Mission of the Driftless Folk School
The mission of the Driftless Folk School is to support healthy, sustainable communities and personal development by providing creative and meaningful educational opportunities and inspiring lifelong learning for individuals and families.
Goals
We strive to accomplish our mission by offering experiences in agriculture, natural history, arts and crafts, and traditions of rural Wisconsin and other cultures. This includes offering:
- practical guidance for farmsteading practices and land stewardship,
- family activities, children’s workshops and childcare,
- traditional and contemporary skills that have proven to be sustainable,
- a context for dialogue and exploration of issues meaningful to human life,
- a noncompetitive and supportive learning environment.
Our Community
When the glaciers bypassed southwestern Wisconsin and the adjacent areas of Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois during the ice ages, they left intact a unique landscape of ridges and coulees, a geological island in the midst of the vast Midwestern plains. Due to the absence of the gravel, boulders, and other glacial “drift” typically left behind in the path of receding ice sheets, this area is known to geologists as the “Driftless Region.” Today, the unique character of this area’s geology and landscape is matched by the character of its culture. Narrow ridges and valleys have impeded the growth of industrial agriculture in this region, opening the way for the development of organic and sustainable farming practices, for the growth of several thriving Amish communities, and for an influx of many people seeking a simpler life in harmony with the land.
Registration
Typical Saturday Schedule
Full Day Classes: 9:00-5:00 (Free lunch included)
Morning Classes: 9:00-12:30
Afternoon Classes: 1:00-4:30
Registering for a Class
To register for a class via mail, phone, or email, contact the Registrar of Driftless Folk School by telephone (888-587-6540) or email and we will mail you a registration form; or download the Course Registration and DFS Membership Form here. registrationedited.pdf Completely fill out the form and mail it with the required payment to DFS. Upon receipt, your place for the selected course is reserved. Driftless Folk School will send you a confirmation packet or e-mail, which will include directions to the class and other information. A list of tools and materials will be included, although generally we provide all necessary tools and materials. Some students may choose to learn using their own.
Waiting List
Driftless Folk School will maintain a waiting list for courses that are filled. Those on the list will be contacted if an opening becomes available.
Payments
Full payment is required at the time of registration. Special payment arrangements can be made by contacting the registrar. Please note that material costs vary significantly. Payment may be made via cash, check, money order, or credit card through PayPal. All online registrations require a PayPal account.
Class Locations
Driftless Folk School classes take place in a variety of locations within Vernon County, WI. Most classes are held at the homes and farms of the instructors or at the Landmark Center in Viroqua. Directions to class locations will be included in a confirmation packet or e-mail sent upon registration.
Meals and Lodging
A free lunch is provided for all participants in full day classes. There are also several fine restaurants and grocery stores offering organic food in the Viroqua area. If requested, Driftless Folk School will include a listing of options for camping, RV parking, and hotels as part of the confirmation e-mail/packet.
Families and Children
Driftless Folk School values intergenerational learning that is part of a long American folk tradition. We encourage family participation! Many of the classes we offer are appropriate for both children and adults. If you have any questions about the appropriateness of a class for a particular child, please contact the Registrar. If a child under the age of 10 is interested in participating with an adult, the course fee for the child is half price. Limited to one child per enrolled participant.
Course Sizes and Registration Deadline
Classes at Driftless Folk School are kept small. It is advisable to register early to ensure your participation. If you register one month or more in advance of the class, you will be eligible for a $5 discount on all half day classes and a $10 discount on all full day classes. If courses have insufficient enrollment, they may be canceled. Late registration may be possible due to cancellations. Please call regarding last minute openings.
Cancellations
If Driftless Folk School must cancel a class, students will receive a full refund for all payments made for that class. Students who cancel their enrollment more than fourteen days prior to the class will receive a full refund minus a $10 handling fee. Students who cancel their enrollment less than fourteen days but more than seven days prior to the class will receive full credit towards future classes at Driftless Folk School. Students who cancel their enrollment seven days or less before the class will receive no refund or credit.
Disclaimer
Driftless Folk School strives to offer a wide variety of courses reflecting the talents and interests present within our community. The views, beliefs, or philosophies of life presented by course instructors are not necessarily those of Driftless Folk School, its members, or volunteers.
Non-Discrimination
In the operation of the Driftless Folk School programs, no individual or group will be discriminated against because of race, gender, national origin, age, or disability.