Preparing the Ground for What’s Next
As Headwaters prepares to return to its roots in Kane County - learning through land, food, and community - we’re inviting you to help us prepare the ground.
“It’s everything I ever wished for in a small school — a caring, inclusive community where kids are seen, loved, and learning in ways that make them light up.”
Before seeds go into the soil, you prepare the ground. At Headwaters Community Farm and Academy, that’s exactly the season we’re in.
We are preparing educationally, operationally, and agriculturally for our next chapter: one rooted in hands-on learning, sustainable food production, and deep connection to the land and community that have always shaped who we are.
This campaign supports the real work that happens before the first class steps onto the land: the planning, tools, materials, staffing, and systems that allow joyful, meaningful learning to flourish.
Headwaters is a small, mission-driven school with a big vision: children learning in the world, not just about it.
As we prepare for spring 2026, our costs will grow - from program expansion to land-based learning preparation - while some anticipated funding has not materialized. Rather than waiting or retreating, we’re choosing to prepare wisely and transparently, grounded in our values.
Your support now helps ensure:
continuity for students and teachers
readiness for hands-on food and land-based learning
financial stability during a season of growth
the ability to step confidently into what’s coming next
What You’re Supporting
Gifts to the Preparing the Ground Fund directly support:
Hands-on food systems education: Seeds, soil, tools, curriculum, and materials for students to learn how food is grown, harvested, prepared, and shared.
Outdoor and land-based learning readiness: Safety equipment, storage, planning time, and supplies that allow learning to happen smoothly and safely outdoors.
School operations during a season of growth: Staffing, coordination, and infrastructure that support consistent, high-quality learning experiences.
Community-centered learning: Lessons rooted in stewardship, sustainability, and care for people and place.
This fund allows Headwaters to do what we do best: prepare thoughtfully, teach holistically, and grow with integrity.
Impact Levels: How Your Gift Helps Prepare the Ground
$25 - Soil & Seeds
Supports seed starts, soil amendments, and early garden preparation for student learning
$50 - Tools for Small Hands
Child-safe tools, gloves, and harvesting supplies for hands-on food and garden work
$100 - From Seed to Table
Materials for food system lessons — planting, harvesting, cooking, and sharing
$250 - A Week of Farm-Based Learning
Covers preparation, materials, and coordination for immersive outdoor learning
$500 - Garden & Learning Infrastructure
Supports irrigation, raised beds, compost systems, and storage
$1,000 - Preparing the Ground Grant
Helps fund staffing, planning, and setup that make hands-on learning possible
$2,500 - Seasonal Readiness Sponsor
Anchors a full season of land- and food-based learning across multiple classes
Rooted in Who We Are
Headwaters was founded by families and educators who believed that children deserve:
learning that feels alive
connection to nature and food
classrooms built on belonging
adults who trust curiosity
We are preparing to deepen that work - returning to our roots in Kane County, expanding learning through land and food, and building systems that can support our community for years to come.
There are many exciting things ahead. For now, we are preparing the ground.
Good things grow when the ground is well prepared.
Your gift today helps Headwaters step into its next chapter with care, stability, and hope.
Support the Preparing the Ground Fund and help learning take root.
Your donation doesn’t stop at the school gate.
It ripples outward to our partners and beloved community resources — Oli Gardens, Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, Kane County Forest Preserves, St. Charles Park District, SciTech, and more — where students learn to give, grow, and care for the land and their neighbors.
Headwaters Community Farm & Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your gift supports educational programming and operations during a season of growth and preparation. We are deeply grateful for your partnership.