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The Michigan Folk School
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Our Campus: Staebler Farm County Park
Our Campus Story
In the spring of 2016, the Michigan Folk School began to discuss a partnership with Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation for the development of a folk school campus at Staebler Farm County Park located in the northeast region of Washtenaw County. When things are meant to be they come together easily. Our partnership came together easily, quickly and with great benefits for both organizations. In the fall of 2017, WCPARA & MFS entered into a lease agreement for a few buildings in the historic farmhouse area on the South side of Staebler Farm. In 2018, MFS successfully raised over $80,000 to design and remodeled a workshop used by Donald Staebler into a modern Wood Studio and Blacksmithing Shop. We opened the Wood Studio in January 2019 and the Blacksmithing Shop in December 2019. It was clear to both organizations that this partnership not only works, it inspires!
Staebler Farm Country Park was purchased by Washtenaw County in 2001 with the intent to provide unique recreational experiences, while preserving its agricultural legacy for future generations through educational programming. The farm is a total of 98 acres and includes an historic farmstead, including the farmhouse, outbuildings, barns, pastures, and farm fields, coupled with the site’s abundant natural resources—including two natural lakes, Fleming Creek, two manmade ponds, woodlots, and wetlands.
The Michigan Folk School has proposed to utilize and develop a small portion of the farmstead property to offer a broad and robust set of programs that address community interests and priorities and which reflect the full spectrum of our local food system and artisan community. Though this plan reflects our vision for creating a vibrant education and learning center, it is proposed to be adapted and adjusted as we engage and learn more from community stakeholders and partners.
In the spring of 2016, the Michigan Folk School began to discuss a partnership with Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation for the development of a folk school campus at Staebler Farm County Park located in the northeast region of Washtenaw County. When things are meant to be they come together easily. Our partnership came together easily, quickly and with great benefits for both organizations. In the fall of 2017, WCPARA & MFS entered into a lease agreement for a few buildings in the historic farmhouse area on the South side of Staebler Farm. In 2018, MFS successfully raised over $80,000 to design and remodeled a workshop used by Donald Staebler into a modern Wood Studio and Blacksmithing Shop. We opened the Wood Studio in January 2019 and the Blacksmithing Shop in December 2019. It was clear to both organizations that this partnership not only works, it inspires!
Staebler Farm Country Park was purchased by Washtenaw County in 2001 with the intent to provide unique recreational experiences, while preserving its agricultural legacy for future generations through educational programming. The farm is a total of 98 acres and includes an historic farmstead, including the farmhouse, outbuildings, barns, pastures, and farm fields, coupled with the site’s abundant natural resources—including two natural lakes, Fleming Creek, two manmade ponds, woodlots, and wetlands.
The Michigan Folk School has proposed to utilize and develop a small portion of the farmstead property to offer a broad and robust set of programs that address community interests and priorities and which reflect the full spectrum of our local food system and artisan community. Though this plan reflects our vision for creating a vibrant education and learning center, it is proposed to be adapted and adjusted as we engage and learn more from community stakeholders and partners.
THE FUTURE OF MFS AND STAEBLER FARM COUNTY PARK
Ambitious but Measured
A Site Master Plan has been developed by Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission to determine Staebler Farm County Park's future amenities and recreational and educational opportunities, which will highlight Washtenaw County's rich agricultural heritage. The plan defines an overall vision for the park; sets goals and objectives to guide the physical development; and establishes development phases. Through the planning process, Parks staff sought stakeholder and public input to help develop the goals, general plan concepts, and desired recreational amenities. The plan is intended to be flexible in order to adapt to changing community needs and funding sources.
On August 8, 2017, the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission adopted the park's Site Master Plan. In January of 2020, staff began working with consultants from The Collaborative Inc. to formalize plan elements, focusing on north park development. Later that summer and fall, multiple virtual meetings were held to gather input from stakeholders, Parks Commissioners, and members of the public. Staff and consultants then reviewed comments and suggestions for consideration. After several refinements, the final draft of the Park Development Plan will be presented to the Parks Commission for adoption at their May 11, 2021, regular meeting. To review a copy of the final draft plan, please click here. To submit comments before the Commission's May 11 meeting, please email [email protected].
A Site Master Plan has been developed by Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission to determine Staebler Farm County Park's future amenities and recreational and educational opportunities, which will highlight Washtenaw County's rich agricultural heritage. The plan defines an overall vision for the park; sets goals and objectives to guide the physical development; and establishes development phases. Through the planning process, Parks staff sought stakeholder and public input to help develop the goals, general plan concepts, and desired recreational amenities. The plan is intended to be flexible in order to adapt to changing community needs and funding sources.
On August 8, 2017, the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission adopted the park's Site Master Plan. In January of 2020, staff began working with consultants from The Collaborative Inc. to formalize plan elements, focusing on north park development. Later that summer and fall, multiple virtual meetings were held to gather input from stakeholders, Parks Commissioners, and members of the public. Staff and consultants then reviewed comments and suggestions for consideration. After several refinements, the final draft of the Park Development Plan will be presented to the Parks Commission for adoption at their May 11, 2021, regular meeting. To review a copy of the final draft plan, please click here. To submit comments before the Commission's May 11 meeting, please email [email protected].
PICTURES OF THE FARM
Pictures of the MFS Studio's
