WSA’s 2026 Fund-a-Need:
Garden Expansion
Learning to grow food, grows children.
At the Waldorf School of Atlanta, students do not just learn about gardening. They plant seeds, tend living soil, harvest vegetables, and experience the rhythms of the seasons through hands-on work in our biodynamic teaching garden.
This year's Fund-a-Need will expand our garden from half an acre to three-quarters of an acre, the first step toward our long-term vision of a full one-acre teaching farm on campus.
Expanding the garden will allow students to build new raised beds, learn rainwater harvesting, and deepen their understanding of sustainable agriculture.
Why This Matters: When children garden, they experience Waldorf education at its finest. They learn through doing—digging hands in soil, observing seasonal rhythms, understanding where food comes from. They develop stewardship, resilience, scientific thinking, and connection to something larger than themselves.
The Vision: A thriving garden sanctuary where every WSA student can experience transformative outdoor learning year-round. Where expert educators share wisdom alongside our passionate gardening teacher. Where children remember what it means to be part of nature's cycles.
Project Timeline: Construction begins immediately after the auction and completes by May 28, 2026.
Funding Goal: $20,000 | Every gift directly supports this vision.
How the Fund-a-Need Works
Our goal is $20,000.
The project has been carefully planned with clear building milestones, so donors know exactly what their gifts will create.
When we reach each funding milestone, that portion of the garden expansion will be built.
The project is ready to begin immediately after the auction, and students and teachers will work together throughout the spring with a goal of completing the expansion before the end of the school year.
Donors will receive monthly progress updates and photos as the garden grows.
All Fund-a-Need donations are restricted specifically to this garden expansion project.
What Your Gift Will Build
When we reach $5,000: Rain or Shine Learning
Portable shelter for outdoor garden classes + 5 student-built raised beds + guest speaker on biodynamic farming
With this portable canopy, children stay dry in the garden during rain, witnessing from their perch how water moves through the farm and nourishes the soil.
When we reach $10,000: Water Independence
Everything above + rainwater collection shed and system
Students will learn to harvest, store, and distribute rainwater themselves - turning water management into a daily lesson in sustainability.
When we reach $15,000: Teaching Garden Expansion
Everything above + 5 additional raised beds + guest speaker
Every grade level gets their own dedicated growing space, becoming stewards of their plot year after year.
When we reach $20,000: Complete Farm Vision
Everything above + final 5 raised beds + guest speaker + garden supplies
With 15 new beds fully operational, we move closer to our dream: weekly garden take-homes for every WSA family.
Sketches of rainwater catchment setup by WSA Alum and builder Collin Graver.
A Community Partnership
Thanks to
Intown
Ace!
This project is supported by Intown Ace Hardware, who will partner with WSA to provide tools, seeds, and plants for seasons to come.