Who We Are
Our Mission and Vision
We’re on a mission to connect people to the land and one another with a vision of creating a just, healthy, and sustainable community.
Our Values
Power of Place
We value the power that places have to heal and inspire people. Inspirational places spark joy, curiosity, and stewardship.
Community Wellbeing
We value the wellbeing of our community, staff, and volunteers. Thriving communities lead to healthier societies and a healthier planet, and a healthy workplace culture leads to enriching and impactful work.
Generational Approach
We value what came before us and who and what will come after. We are responsible to future generations, so we care for the natural environment and working landscape, and illuminate our living heritage.
Inclusion
We value the active inclusion of all. Everyone should have access to nature, and to safe spaces for connection.
Collaboration
We value partnership in all that we do, and use our campus to uplift aligned organizations. Collaboration helps leverage resources and create connections that strengthen our collective impact.
Our Work
We create opportunities for connection
Retreat Farm creates gathering spaces and opportunities for you to connect with the natural environment, with others, and with yourself.
We offer diverse public and educational programs featuring regional foods, agriculture, the arts, and outdoor recreation, and maintain a public common accessible to all, 365 days a year.
We lead environmental conservation & historic preservation
Retreat Farm maintains eight historic farm buildings and more than 500 acres of forest, farmland, and waterways, including nearly 11-miles of publicly accessible hiking trails.
We do this to help conserve both the living heritage of Vermont's working landscape and the natural environment for the benefit of current and future generations. In doing so, we maintain what amounts to an unparalleled public park in the heart of Brattleboro.
We promote
mission-aligned economic development
Retreat Farm operates the region’s largest indoor event space and a mission-aligned food center and market to generate needed revenue to support public access to and care for our forest, farmlands, and waterways - while at the same time uplifting others in our community.
Each of these enterprises supports and highlights local, value-added food producers, farms, artists, and makers who are doing good in their own communities, and for the natural environment.
