Building Collective Impact
Lifting up the agricultural, creative, and tourist economies of Vermont
by Kristin Sullivan
WHAT IMPACT CAN A SMALL FARM HAVE in southern Vermont? We’re about to find out.
One of the things I love most about Retreat Farm is that its entire purpose is to connect people. The power of connection to the land and to one-another is profound. When we’re in connection with ourselves, our communities, and with our environment, something magical happens.
We’re excited about all the ways Retreat Farm can harness the power of our mission of building and supporting connection to encourage broader and deeper impact in our community. We’re working to do this not just through our own actions (maintaining trails, creating summer programs, etc.), but by lifting up the actions of others. Retreat Farm is focused on using connection and the power of our “collective impact” to improve shared well-being. But how do our actions impact our community?
Impact of the North Barn
When we're in connection with ourselves, our communities, and with the enviornment, something magical happens.
After years of dreaming and hard work, the newly renovated North Barn will finally open to the public in June. From Retreat Farm’s own annual events to weddings, nonprofit events, concerts, and workshops, the North Barn will be a welcoming space for celebrations of all kinds.
But the North Barn is more than an event venue. It’s a showcase of the best of Brattleboro and beyond. To harness the collective impact of the North Barn, we’ve made an intentional choice to exclusively feature Vermont craft brews and Brattleboro-based caterers. And we’re making sure to highlight local talent and businesses when recommending vendors to event clients.
This means when organizations and individuals choose to host an event at Retreat Farm, they’re making an investment in the Farm and the amazing local businesses that support the agricultural, tourist, and creative economies of Vermont.
Impact of the Retreat Farm Market
Tavernier Chocolates combines local and foraged ingredients to create one-of-a-kind flavors. Photo: Josh Steele Photography
The long-awaited Retreat Farm Market is the centerpiece of our new Food Center. Made possible thanks to congressionally designated funds through Senator Patrick Leahy’s office, the Market will feature regional producers who not only make delicious value-added foods, but who improve our shared well-being by utilizing organic and regenerative farming practices, paying workers fairly, carrying on community
heritage, giving time off for volunteering, and more.
By featuring and sharing the positive impact of these producers with visitors, we hope customers will make more informed choices and deeply support local farmers and food makers, making a collective impact by stocking up on the products of these amazing food businesses.
Impact of Signature Events
Food Truck Roundup is our original signature event and where “Collective Impact” got its start as a foundational idea for Retreat Farm. For the second year, we have committed to sharing 20% of all Roundup proceeds with ten mission-aligned nonprofits. In addition to sharing financial resources, these nonprofits have an opportunity to share their impact with a shoutout on the stage and table on the lawn. So when a visitor attends the Roundup, they support Retreat Farm, local musicians and food businesses, and learn about and support impactful work done by others.
Through a variety of partnerships, we’re working to bring an array of new programming to the Farm–expanding our suite of Signature Events to include outdoor recreation, food and farm-based education, and more. And thanks to our Free Ticket Fund and collaboration with Brattleboro Savings & Loan, we’re offering a free ticket option to every single ticketed event this season. Thanks to our community bank, there should never be an economic barrier to attending events at Retreat Farm.
Impact of our Inspiring Landscape
Perhaps Retreat Farm’s most consequential impact is on the land. Our little nonprofit cares for 500+ acres of forest, farmlands, and water, including 10+ miles of trails and the historic farmstead. Home to a growing herd of beloved animals and over 1,300 native plants and animals, these waterways, trails, and pastures collectively impact the 90,000+ people who visit the Farm every year. Thanks to the generosity of donors, grantmakers, and people like you, we’re proud to offer Always Free Admission to this incredible landscape, dawn to dusk, 365 days a year.
I hope you will take time to join us at Retreat Farm this summer, or on your next visit to Brattleboro. There are some amazing transformations happening, but they are all happening little by little, showing the collective impact of the actions of those who came before us, and giving a hint of what’s to come if we work, and celebrate, together.