Every so often a space is created that steps away from contemporary life and is rooted in traditional hands-on, community- based learning — one such place has found its permanent home in Cedar. The Green Door Folk School (GDFS), named after the bright green door at founder Kristina Schnepf’s home, is a learning environment where adults can learn traditional skills such as basketry, woodworking, and beekeeping.
Green Door was founded in 2024 by Krstina Schnepf. Schnepf left the corporate world after 30 years and needed to find a purpose to fill her next stage of life. She began working with her hands — projects around the house, small crafts, and eventually wood working. Schnepf started teaching herself with online videos, however, as it usually does, online learning had limitations and felt isolating. After difficulties finding a local woodworking class for beginners, she decided to create one for herself.
In March of 2025 GDFS began teaching hands-on folk skill classes at a variety of venues across northern Michigan. While classes were taking place, the search for a home for GDFS was going on in the background. The strike of luck that was needed came in the form of the opportunity to settle down at Cedar North at J2 Farms.
