Folk schools emerged as a means of giving education back to the people. Offering hands-on, practical skill-building instruction, folk schools aim to make learning a non-competitive, immersive, and engaging experience. Folk schools enrich communities, connecting people to their natural environments, their bodies, and one another.

For cancellations occurring more than 14 calendar days before the class start date, registration fees are refundable less a $25 administrative fee per order.

• For cancellations occurring less than 14 calendar days before the class start date, registration fees are non-refundable.

• At this time, we are unable to offer course credit, registration transfers to a different course, or registration transfers to another person.

• This policy honors the time, energy, and resources invested in courses as the start date approaches and helps us minimize pressures to increase overall course costs.

• For class cancellations by the school, in the case of inclement weather or other disruptions, we will process a full refund and offer options to reschedule where possible and preferred.

• If you are on the roster for a class and then decide not to attend, you may still receive emails that the instructor sends to the student list. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Thank you for your participation and support of Green Door School!

The Green Door Folk School requires that all people involved contribute to a respectful and welcoming environment free of discrimination, aggression, and harassment by following these guidelines: 

1. Be considerate and respectful.

Refrain from disrespectful behavior. When asked to stop, do so. Resolve disagreements calmly and with compassion, or step away. Any aggressive, intimidating, sexual, or abusive actions, confrontations, communications, or gestures are strictly prohibited. 

2. Support all members of our community.

There is no tolerance at the Green Door Folk School for racist, homophobic, or bigoted language and behavior. Any speech or behavior that belittles or demeans any individual on the basis of ethnicity, religion, skin color or racial identity, gender identity, sexuality, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status is strictly prohibited. 

3. Create or contribute to a healthy, noncompetitive learning environment. 

A breach of the above Code of Conduct occurring in the context of any Green Door Folk School activities, platforms, programs, and services may result in removal from the space, permanent ban, or further actions. Green Door Folk School reserves the right to immediately remove from the premises anyone who is perceived to be creating an unsafe or harmful environment. This includes the right of Green Door Folk School staff and instructors to remove program participants at any time, with no refund, course make-up, or other compensation provided. 

Behaviors listed in this Code of Conduct are not exhaustive, and any inappropriate behaviors remain subject to consequences. Anyone affected by or witnessing a perceived Code of Conduct infraction may report the incident to Green Door Folk School staff. If any conflicts arise, please contact the Green Door Folk School staff, who will determine how best to diffuse a situation and offer specialized guidance. 

Everyone (18 and older)! Our courses serve a wide range of skill levels for folks who are experts in their field to beginners and everyone in-between. Trying a new practice can be intimidating, but the Green Door Folk School is a safe place to engage in the messy process of learning something new.

Our current curriculum is designed for adults, but don’t worry, we’re working to develop class offerings for small artisans under the age of 18.

Statement of Inclusivity

The Green Door Folk School welcomes everyone to experience our unique learning environment, and assert that equity, inclusion, diversity, accessibility, and anti-racism are essential to our mission and values.

As members of the Folk Education Alliance of America, the Green Door Folk School abides by the alliance’s commitment to “support education as a tool in working toward economic equality, workers’ rights, anti- racism and sexism, environmental restoration and protection, as well as alternatives to environmental racism, militarism, and the weakening power of people’s voices in the face of unaccountable politicians and corporations.”

The Green Door Folk School commits to:

• Critically assessing how systemic racism manifests within our organization and addressing inequality through our programming.

• Partnering with community organizations that represent the diversity of our community to develop new programming.

• Actively seeking diverse instructors, students and staff.

Green Door Folk School is located at Cedar North at J2 Farms, a farmstead with guest rooms in Cedar, Michigan. 2312 E Kasson Rd, Cedar, Michigan 49621.

Our classes aren’t your average try it once class. They are intimate one to six-day hands-on learning experiences that teach a process from start to finish. We teach anything that creates a more connected, sustainable, and beautiful future with a focus on folk crafts and practical skills you can do with your hands.

Do you have a great idea for a class at Green Door Folk School? We believe that our neighbors just might be our greatest teachers. Fill out this form to submit your class proposal, and we’ll be in touch!

Absolutely! If a class is sold out, you’ll find a waitlist option at the bottom of the class listing. When a seat becomes available, all waitlisted individuals will be notified via email, and the first person to act will secure the seat.

We don’t have dedicated student housing, but we recommend booking a stay with our friends at Cedar North, a cozy and thoughtfully updated guest house just steps from the Green Door Folk School in Cedar, Michigan. With peaceful garden views and opportunities to explore the goat farm and surrounding property, it’s the perfect place to unwind and deepen your experience at the Folk School. Green Door students get 10% off their stays.

As much as we would love to meet your animal companions, pets are not allowed at Green Door Folk School or the surrounding property, except for service animals. We find that animals in the classroom distract from an intimate and focused learning environment.