Kentucky River Field School (KRFS) offers a residential gap year program for motivated young adult learners as well as a variety of classes, workshops, and events open to all who are interested.

Our mission is to encourage educational development through study of self, society and sustainability. Our learning platforms include farming, cooking, environmental stewardship, arts and science, skilled trades, team work, research and discussion, technology, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.

The pilot gap year program ran with 5 interns from June-December 2024. It was a good first round with supportive growth, discovery, challenge, and reflection. The focus of Spring 2025, without another residential cohort until later, is on opening the cafe, streamlining farm production, and hosting classes, workshops, and events. Campus housing can accommodate a cohort size of fifteen interns.

Location

At KRFS, we steward a 4.5 acre historic homestead/farm-to-table cafe (Boonesboro Campus) and a nearby 110 acre nature reserve/farm along the Kentucky river (River Farm Campus).

The two campuses are 20 minutes apart by van shuttle or 45 minutes by pontoon boat.

At Boonesboro, we maintain a greenhouse nursery, farm organic plots, operate a farm-to-table cafe, and host diverse workshops and events.

At the River Farm, there is time and space for mindfulness, reading, writing, art, exercise, camping, and conservation work.