Retreat Farm

Programs: While much is left to be accomplished, we made significant progress in the restoration and preservation of the historic buildings, forests and soils of retreat farm during 2017. We completed demolition of derelict/unsafe structures; buried project infrastructure; built walkways, planted grass, installed lighting, and established farmhouse square as a beautiful public venue. We completed the second of a three-year program to convert the vast majority of our farm fields to organic status. We completed act 250 vermont state permitting allowing the further renovation of all structures in the historic farmstead and their ultimate repurposing as home to land-inspired, community advancing activity. We added three key members to our staff to further retreat farms programmatic development.

we opened the 2017 program in our newly renovated space in the calf barn. During the family season, we welcomed 11,944 adults and children to program that was developing in real time, a 33% increase over the prior year. In addition, we served nearly 40 schools and organizations within an hour radius. These include preschools, daycare centers, public and private schools, group homes, special needs schools, and trauma centers. This year, we worked with the vermont association of business, industry, and rehabilitation (vabir) to employ young vermonters with special needs. We continued our investment in workforce development and leadership training for local youth in partnership with the vermont youth conservation corps (vycc), and partnered with bonnyvale environmental education center (beec) to offer a week-long summer camp and monthly after-school nature program serving young people from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds.