The Michigan Folk School
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Instructor Profiles

Amanda Howell
​
Farmer

My Philosophy...
 My husband Paul and I are tree-hugging, worm-loving, bee-friendly, free-range, chemical-free, small-scale farmers and outdoorsy people. We dug up the mown lawn to grow  heirloom vegetables without chemical pesticides, and started selling our produce a year later. We believe people can take back their food future from the agro-industrial complex one garden at a time, and we think there are lots of reasons why it is important to do so. We like to share what we’ve learned and what we works for us, and learn more ourselves along the way.
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www.dragonwood-farm.square.site​

My Story...
 I grew up on a small farm, from a family of many generations of small farmers. A love for land, nature, and growing things has been with me since childhood.    When I was about 6 years old, I began building rock gardens and moving plants into them as play.  Since then, everywhere I have lived I’ve grown gardens, or taken plants with me, and explored every garden I could manage to see on travels.  I have a Master’s degree in Medical and Biological Illustration, did an intensive research project on the history of botanical illustration, and have taken field botany courses through CMU and UofM.
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 My husband Paul and son Teddy and I  live on a tiny farm called Dragonwood, and we grow a wide variety of plant foods, and chickens for eggs and meat.  We have sold plants, herbs, vegetables, flowers and eggs at farmers’ markets every summer since 2009.  We specialize in heirloom tomatoes, garlic, and unusual and gourmet veggies.  Paul is also a geologist and former college professor and computer guy, and I work part-time as a licensed midwife.
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Classes I Teach
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Seed Starting for Your Organic Garden
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 Introduction to Organic Garden Design
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Kitchen Potage Gardens
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Maintaining Your Garden Organically
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Herbal & Compost Teas for the Garden
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Terrific Tomatoes!

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Amazing Alliums! 
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Autumn & Cool Season Gardening 
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Seed Saving Skills

    Contact Amanda

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Our Mission: The Michigan Folk School is committed to creating a community engaged in authentic, hands-on experiences through the teaching and sharing of traditional folk arts, crafts, music, and skills in an inspiring natural setting and to promote the preservation of forest and farmland.


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Email

registrar@MiFolkSchool.com
734-436-8973

Campus Address

7734 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Business Address

Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission
2230 Platt Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

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  • Home
    • Contact Us >
      • Show Your Interest
    • General policies & information
    • Mailing List Sign-Up
    • Staebler Farm County Park & Campus
    • Our Other Facilities
    • Instructor Portal
  • Learn
    • Instructor Profiles
    • gift certificates
    • Calendar
    • Categories >
      • archery
      • blacksmithing
      • boats & trailers
      • broom craft
      • bushcraft
      • children's classes
      • community learning
      • fiber
      • food
      • gardening & farming
      • glass
      • health & home
      • home improvement
      • homesteading
      • jewelry & metalwork
      • leather
      • millinery & dressmaking
      • sailing
      • woodworking
    • Open Studio
  • Teach
  • Finding Flow
  • Donations