Why are so many people drawn to the Michigan Folk School (MFS) in Washtenaw County?

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1. Hands-on, traditional and practical skills

• The school offers classes in things like blacksmithing, spoon carving, cheesemaking, soap-making, raising chickens, and other homesteading skills. (Concentrate Media+2ruralinnovationexchange.com+2)

• It meets a kind of yearning for “real work with one’s hands” in a world that is increasingly virtual or service-based. (Second Wave Media+1)

• One instructor noted: “So many of us … are trying to re-establish that we’re part of nature, we’re part of this world.” (ruralinnovationexchange.com+1)

• Why people love this:  It’s tangible, experiential, often creative, and you walk away with a skill or sometimes a physical object you made. It also appeals to people who want to learn something meaningful versus passive consumption.

 

2. Community, connection & inclusive atmosphere

• The school emphasizes community building: the mission includes bringing people together in supportive, non-competitive settings. ruralinnovationexchange.com+1

• One story: two couples with opposing political shirts (one Hillary, one Trump) ended up learning together in a knife-sharpening class, laughing and connecting despite differences. ruralinnovationexchange.com

• Why people love this: It’s not just about the class—it’s about meeting others, sharing an experience, being part of something. Many find in MFS a space where they feel welcomed, whether experienced or brand new.

 

3. Reconnecting with nature, heritage and slower rhythms

• Our location is at Staebler Farm County Park and uses natural settings, old-school craft methods, and a philosophy of “using yesterday to preserve tomorrow.” (Concentrate Media+2mi.localnews.com+2)

• The folk-school movement (in general) is seen as a response to technological alienation—a desire to get back to making, being outside, getting one’s hands dirty. (Second Wave Media+1)

• Why people love this: In a fast-paced, screen-filled world, there is something restorative about slowing down, learning “old” skills, being in a natural setting, and reconnecting with heritage (either one’s own or a shared cultural one).

 

4. Learning for all ages and levels—beginner friendly, yet meaningful

• MFS offers classes for a wide range of ages, skill levels, and interests. (ruralinnovationexchange.com)

• Participants say they’re not necessarily already “good” at something—but the school creates an environment where beginners can try, fail, learn, and grow. (ruralinnovationexchange.com)

• Why people love this: It’s accessible. You don’t have to be an expert. You’re joining a class, learning something new, among others who may also be new. That can be less intimidating and more inviting.

 

5. Local significance, unique identity & growth

• The school is a local gem: based in Washtenaw County, partnering with the parks department, building new facilities (e.g., Blackbird Lodge) to expand. (mi.localnews.com+1)

• It has a strong identity: part craft workshop, part community hub, part heritage preservers. (Friends Of The Michi+1)

• Growth and demand: as one article noted, the market for folk-education has grown steadily in recent decades. (Concentrate Media+1)

• Why people love this: They get to support and participate in something local, meaningful, and growing. It isn’t just a class—it’s part of a bigger story of community, heritage, and place.

 

Bottom line...People love the Michigan Folk School because it offers something refreshingly different: a place to learn, make, connect, and belong. It blends craft, community, nature, and learning in ways that many find missing from our more digital, disconnected lives.  But don't take our word for it...read the reviews below and then sign up for a class and experience the magic for yourself.