Professional Retreats and Gatherings
Learn what The Refuge has to offer for your group’s next retreat.
The Refuge at Knoll Farm has been welcoming groups and hosting conversations since 2002. Many organizations find that the unique combination of the farm’s rich history, a caring staff, delicious communal meals, and inspiring natural settings in which to listen and speak deeply is transformative on many personal and professional levels.
Groups of 14 or more have exclusive use of the Refuge and a full orientation to our farm and community, to which you will become an integral, authentic partner during your stay. You’ll have 3 meals a day, locally sourced and organic, catered to special food needs.
Extras like outdoor fire circles, an electric vehicle for those who want transport around the farm, and help with planning are included with your booking. Many additional services are also available to your group including curriculum design, retreat facilitation, classes in body movement, tours of the farm. Just ask!
A Way to Advance Leadership and Mission
The National Parks Conservation Association is a powerful organization – a century old and 1.4 million strong – speaking on behalf of our nation’s national parks through advocacy, environmental protection and education. NPCA has been in deep conversation around how to stay relevant to a changing population in America, and how to engage community in the most effective and honest ways possible about what our national parks can mean for the future. As part of this process, NPCA convened its staff at Knoll Farm. Peter Forbes and Danyelle O’Hara guided a training to help them define best practices for deep listening, understanding history, achieving reciprocity, being transparent and making agreements for how to be in relationship with citizens related to the lands they steward.
NPCA reported that the setting and staff at Knoll Farm, “gave everything a sense of connectivity,” “allowed space and intention for us to elevate our expectations,” “very accommodating, bountiful, and profound.” Meeting spaces inside as well as on the land, and the chance to connect with colleagues around delicious meals and the campfire as well as the screen made for a deep experience.
The Setting for Memorable Events
VT River Conservancy, held their River Gala fundraiser at Knoll Farm
“Knoll Farm exceeded our expectations in every way. Even if it was pouring rain, we would have been happy to be inside the spacious barn, with the soaring ceiling and festive string lights creating a peaceful, open atmosphere. It was the perfect space for our speakers and video, with plenty of comfortable chairs and great acoustics. And the outside space – simply stunning! Our guests enjoyed walking from the barn to the fire pit, to take in the sweeping views of the valley and distant mountains, and to watch the full moon rising.
“What was most remarkable about the Knoll Farm space, however, was not the beauty that surrounded us, but the feeling we had when we walked onto the land and into the barn. The feeling in one word, is inspired. We look forward to coming back to Knoll Farm again and again, and we are certain we will be inspired anew each time.”
Our Retreat Partners
Some of the groups and organizations who have recently held a retreat, training or event at Knoll Farm include:
350.org, Academy for Change, ACLU-VT, Curaleaf, Eco Americorps, Field Academy, Floral Field Trip, Harvard University, JAG Productions, Kristin Walsh Yoga, Migrant Justice, Moviemento Cosecha, National Parks Conservation Association, Peace and Justice Center, Sangha Yoga,Vermont Land Trust, Vermont Folklife Center, In Tandem Arts, Vermont Food Bank, Vermont River Conservancy, Yestermorrow
