Sunrise Community Farm Center

At Sunrise Community Farm Center, our mission is to create a sustainable model of a community farm inclusive of all ages. Ideally, everyone is able to discover their contribution as part of a community. Everyone in the community is appreciated. We all see the value of being a part of something bigger than ourselves that is real and relevant to the world we live in today.

We do this by using the CRAFTS of Partnership. Communication, Respect, Acknowledgement, Friendship, Trust, and Setting Good Boundaries. 

Our After-School program is designed to give children the opportunity to decompress, learn-by-doing, and have fun. The beautiful, open farm environment helps children feel centered, calm, and happy. They are well-supervised, free to move around outdoors or in, help out in the barn, or just read a book!

In Mini Camp, campers participate in the full array of farm life activities, with time to play and explore our small animals; guinea pigs, chickens, rabbits, and turkeys, explore the woods and ziplines, do fun crafts, and learn about the garden. 

We have been a dependable summer camp choice for the Triangle for nearly 40 years. Our focus is on a learning experience on a working farm in a natural environment, where campers get to have real life impact on our animals, garden and nature around them. 

Field trips at Sunrise CFC follow a tour-like, interactive and experiential approach around the farm, beginning at the Pavilion. Children had very important jobs on the old family farm. Participants will get to try out some of these jobs. Our mentors will help coach you and guide you through the farm experience. At a farm like this, farmers would pick garden vegetables to eat or store, and feed the weeds and parts that people did not want to the animals. Animals are great teachers! Animals cannot speak, but they respond to body language and tone of voice. People, even very small people, are so much larger than chickens, bunnies, and our pigs. Yet, they are still smaller than horses. Horses and humans have been partners for a very very long time and the bond between the two makes both better, stronger, faster and smarter! Horses are always honest and empathic, and teach us how to practice the CRAFTS of Partnership by responding honestly with how they feel always. When we practice the CRAFTS of Partnership well, our horses respond by agreeing to work with us. 

Join us for Open Farm any Saturday throughout the year between 10 am and 5 pm for a pony ride or farm visit!