OUR MISSION
“Preserving the past. Empowering the future.”
At Oakstead Foundation, we equip young people with the heritage skills that built generations — from gardening and hunting to sewing and food preservation. By reconnecting youth with time-honored traditions, we foster resilience, self-reliance, and a deep respect for the land and community. Our mission is to preserve the wisdom of the past while empowering the next generation to thrive with purpose, confidence, and skill.
CORE OBJECTIVES
OSF's Mission In Action
Fund the Future
OSF raises capital to directly support Partnering “Program Facilitators”.
Equip the Field
OSF gathers in-kind donations to put the right tools in the right hands.
Build the Blueprint
OSF provides templates so communities can launch programs.
How It's Done
OSF partners with Program Facilitators to implement instruction
(i.e. community gardens, homeschool co-ops, 4-H clubs, etc.)
OSF hosts and participates in fundraising and community
outreach events.
OSF secures grants and builds relationships with individuals and corporate donors.
PROGRAM PARTNERS
Oakstead Foundation is proud to partner with the following organizations to provide quality programs for youth development in the heritage arts.
Meet The Team
Tara
Founder and CEO
Tara is a passionate non-profit leader that values living a healthy, self sustainable lifestyle because she has witnessed first hand the benefits of doing so. Tara was raised on a farm and learned skills of animal husbandry, cooking, food preservation, gardening and sewing. These skills were passed down from parents and grandparents and she was lucky enough to have the opportunity to do so. She has a deep desire to pass this knowledge down to future generations.
Kathy
Board of Directors, VP
A long time 4-H Leader for Shooting Sports, Kathy is a model leader for youth engagement.
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Corrin
Board of Directors, Secretary
As someone who was raised with many of these heritage skills in a remote part of Montana, Corrin's goal is to see our youth flourish by helping them get access to the knowledge and hands on training of these traditional skill sets.
Emily
Board of Directors, Treasurer
Emily is a wife and mom to three boys, and has a background in public health and health coaching. Emily is a California native who grew up learning how to garden, hunt, sew, cook and bake from her parents. After moving to Virginia, she has since embraced a more sustainable lifestyle of raising poultry and rabbits, along with growing a garden each year. Emily has learned how to preserve food, as well as bake sourdough bread. Partnering with the Oakstead Foundation has aligned Emily’s love of sustainability with the importance of supporting future generations!
Dan
Board of Directors, Fundraising Committee Chair
Daniel a Chesapeake, Virginia local, is married with two children and has a deep passion for heritage skills and self-reliance. He has gardened for several years, regularly harvesting fresh produce for his family table, and is an avid hunter of deer, duck, turkey, and rabbits. With extensive firearms experience, survival skills training in both warm and cold weather environments — including building shelters, starting fires, land navigation, purifying water, field dressing and preserving game meat — and a love for fishing, Daniel enjoys teaching these practical traditions and giving back to his community. He joined the Oakstead Foundation board to help oversee the organization’s mission and strategy, bringing his hands-on knowledge and commitment to ethical stewardship so the Foundation can effectively equip young people with the time-honored skills that build resilience, confidence, and respect for the land.