Hands-On, Nature-Based Unit Studies for Homeschool Families – on the Farm and in the Forest for Ages 8-13

Homeschool Enrichment Classes

Unit Studies for Fall 2025

Our homeschool enrichment classes follow a Unit Study format and are designed to equip elementary-aged children with practical skills and a deep understanding of the natural world. Our goal is to reclaim the practical wisdom that’s been lost in modern times such as skills like homesteading, wilderness living, and food and plant literacy while building community on the farm and in the forest.

Flexible options: Join our weekly Jr. Homesteaders Community to experience all Unit Studies, or sign up for individual Units.

Foraging & Plant
Identification of the Palouse

Wednesdays, September 10, 17, and 24
9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Put on your explorer hat and become a nature detective! We'll learn to identify and forage for wild plants of the Palouse, taste our finds, and craft them into medicinal teas, syrups, and jams.

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Survival &
Wilderness Skills

Wednesdays, October 1, 8, and 15
9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Gear up for adventure! Students will gain hands-on survival skills including shelter building, fire starting, cooking over open flame, water filtration, compass navigation, and crafting simple tools from the wild.

Farm &
Homestead Skills

Wednesdays, October 22, 29, and November 5 and 12
9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Take a journey into pioneer-era living! Students will explore sourdough baking, food preservation, animal stewardship, homesteading through farm-to-table experiences and a little pioneer history.

Classes are located at Black Ridge Farms, 501 Idaho Road, Palouse, WA

Have younger children too? We’ve created a space just for them (and for you!) Learn more.

Choose Your Registration Option

Option 1
Jr. Homesteaders Community – Best Value & Experience!

Join our core community, where real growth, friendships, and the deepest connection to nature happen.

  • Includes all Unit Studies offered, no need to register separately

  • Full-immersion in hands-on homesteading, farming, and seasonal skills

  • Deepest community building; your child will see the same core members and teachers each week to develop deep relationships, plus get to know those attending per unit.

  • Monthly tuition model -Weekly, Wednesdays 9am-1pm

  • Designed for families who want structure, connection, and community support in their homeschool journey

  • Have a younger child? We offer a community for them too in our Wildflowers Community!

Cost: Billed $200 monthly; totaling $600 for 10 classes across 3 Unit Studies.


Option 2
Register by Unit
 – Register for One or More Unit Studies

Join us for a single Unit Study, or mix and match a few!

  • Pay per unit

  • Great for families who are new, curious, or need more flexibility

  • All unit study classes also include farm animal interaction, forest and river exploration, and journaling.

  • Space for the whole family! Parents and toddlers are welcome to stay on site and hang out in our family area during the class. Ages 3.5-7 can join unit study class for their age group too.

Unit Studies
from $210.00

How to Register by Unit:

Step One: Select the Unit Study you are interested in, then select the age range of your child.

Step Two: Return to this page to add a second Unit if interested.

Step Three: Complete the Registration Form during the checkout process.

Unit Cost:

  • Foraging & Plant Identification of the Palouse: 3 classes, totaling $210

  • Survival & Wilderness Skills: 3 classes, totaling $210

  • Farm & Homestead Skills: 4 classes, totaling $280

Jr. Homesteaders Community & Unit Study Class Rhythm

Daily Rhythm

  • Arrival & Morning Chores
    Feed the animals and gather fresh eggs.

  • Daily Lesson
    A hands-on activity or discussion that ties into our homesteading or nature-based unit.

  • Project Time
    Dive into a skill-building craft or farm project.

  • Nature Journaling
    Reflect, draw, and record the day’s discoveries.

  • Hike & Exploration
    Head into the woods for an outdoor adventure and observation.

  • Lunch by the Fire
    Enjoy your packed lunch around the campfire, with time to connect and relax.

  • Forest Free Play
    Unstructured time for kids to explore, build friendships, and enjoy the forest at their own pace.

    The structure of each class is flexible to support the unique learning of each Unit Study and rhythm of the farm and children.

Classes for All Ages

Honeybees Community

Ages 0 - 3 & Caregiver

Wildflowers Community

Ages 3.5 - 7

Summer Camp on the Farm

Ages 4 - 13

What Parents are Saying

  • “This outdoor preschool is absolutely amazing! My child learned important skills while playing outside in nature. It truly offers the best of both worlds—education and outdoor exploration. If you’re searching for a great preschool, I highly recommend looking into this one!”

    - Megan, Wildflowers and Honeybees parent

  • “My son had a wonderful time at Little Farm Montessori summer camp! He loved getting to spend the week learning about cows, playing outside, and being with friends. As a parent I appreciated the structure of learning but also ample space and time to explore whatever interested him most. Calli and her assistant teachers provide a fun and safe environment for kids to be in nature, and just be kids!"

    -Brittany, Summer Camp Parent

  • “This program was a perfect addition to our homeschooling. Callie provided an experience I couldn’t replicate at home—caring for animals, witnessing sheep births, and learning responsibility. My son grew in confidence, expanded his skills, and loved showing us the results of his hard work. As a former educator, I appreciated the emphasis on free play, which was especially great for my high-energy child. By the end of the day, he was exhausted and didn’t want to leave. I highly recommend this program to all parents!”

    -Meredith, Wildflowers Parent

We inspire a lifelong love of learning and nature for our community of learners ages 0-12. Through our farm-based, hands-on, Montessori-inspired experiences, we cultivate curiosity, confidence, and connection to the land, animals and sustainable living.

Our Approach

  • Nature & Forest Exploration

  • Farm Schooling

  • Montessori-inspired

  • Mixed-aged Learning

  • Centered Around Family Values

Meet Your Teacher

Tali Zarate, Elementary Lead Teacher 

I grew up in Florida, doing most of my homeschool work in the sprawling branches of our front oak tree. When I moved to Idaho in 2010, my love for the outdoors only grew; hiking, backpacking, hunting, and gardening are a few of my favorite things. 

From a young age I knew I wanted to teach, and in 2018 I became a First Grade teacher at a classical charter school. In 2021, I had the opportunity to develop and teach the First through Third Grade program at Lewis Clark Christian School, and especially enjoyed putting together the Nature Studies curriculum. I love to foster opportunities for children to closely observe and interact with the beautiful world around us, and I am delighted to be part of Little Farm Nature School!

I live in Moscow with my husband, one-year-old son, and our wild, wire-haired dog. When I’m not caring for my family or playing outside, I try to put my MFA in Creative Writing to good use by writing stories (I'm currently working on a novel set on a Palouse farm).

Calli Stipe, Little Farm Nature School Director

I’m a Palouse native, farmer’s wife, flower garden lover, and busy mom to three boys! My passion for working with children began early in my life and led me to study Early Childhood Development at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. There I discovered Montessori education and went on to receive my Montessori Certification in Boise.

I opened my own Montessori Preschool and that also offered Montessori parent & child classes to support parents wanting to implement the Montessori method at home for several years.

Throughout my teaching experience, I always felt like something was missing. It wasn’t until I learned about the benefits of outdoor education and observed it firsthand with my own children that I discovered the missing piece—immersion in nature and the farm.

It brings my heart so much joy to see children learning how they were meant to learn - in the great outdoors. I’m thrilled to offer this program and can’t wait to meet you!

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Contact us.

littlefarmmontessori@gmail.com