About us

Hi there, I’m Courtney Matranga, a homeschooling mother of 4 who just gets fidgety at the thought of being in a classroom all day when the birds are singing, the wind is blowing, and the sun is shining - right outside! After spending much of my life and education with the goal of becoming a credentialed teacher and teaching in the classroom, my love for my children, hands on-learning, and being in the great outdoors led me on a much different path outside of the classroom. After the experience of teaching in a classroom, what with the daily grind, PowerPoints and unnecessary busy-work, a passion for something different began to stir inside of me.  We realized after having our own children, that I’m a much more intentional (and let’s be honest, enjoyable) teacher outside than in! We learn as much in and from nature as we can, although there is still a beautiful place in my heart for those kitchen table lessons, too.

In the spring of 2019 Gathered We Grow was born from a little idea that we learn more from each other, and across the ages, gathered together, than on our own. Along the way, I began hosting outdoor Gathered We Grow Days where students were invited to come and share what they had been learning in their own homeschool experiences, read great books together and discuss them, nature journal and handcraft together. Our first Gathered We Grow Days were so well attended that it humbled and completely blew us away! I quickly had to put a cap on it at 30 students. But this reaffirmed the fact that the need for children to experience learning together, outdoors, about animals, plants, and nature was there! As the vision continued to grow, we decided to add in even more life and farm skills-based classes, all while still meeting outside!

And now we have…Gathered We Grow Farm School.

A beautiful blend of thoughtfully curated classes for the student

who thrives outside.