Retreat Farm

What Retreat Farm does

Retreat Farm is a nonprofit community farm located on traditional Abenaki homelands in Brattleboro, Vermont, stewarding 500+ acres of conserved forests, farmlands, trails, and waterways at the confluence of the West and Connecticut Rivers. The site includes a historic nine-structure Farmstead originally founded in 1837 as a model farm for the Brattleboro Retreat mental health institution, plus 11+ miles of publicly accessible trails open free 365 days a year. Approximately 18 staff operate across Administration and Finance, Events and Programs, Farm and Land, and the Retreat Farm Market; a seven-member Board of Directors (including co-founder Buzz Schmidt, also founder of GuideStar) governs the organization.

The business model is a multi-stream nonprofit operation. Earned revenue comes from venue rentals (North Barn with capacity of 200-250 guests; Farmhouse Square for up to 500), weddings (14-hour rental windows), the Retreat Farm Market featuring 100+ Vermont farmers, producers, and artists, signature events (Food Truck Roundup, Ramble bike ride, Open Barn, Wild Wisdom, America at 250, Stories of Resilience, Harvesting Hues), and the Thirsty Goat Bar craft beverage service. Charitable revenue flows through individual donations, foundation grants (Vermont Arts Council, Robin Foundation, Thomas Thompson Trust, Vermont Community Foundation, Brattleboro Savings Bank), and a Free Ticket Fund underwritten by donors to ensure event accessibility.

The product surface spans free public land access, paid venue rentals, retail, ticketed events, and community benefit programs including the Community Food Project (a sliding-scale CSA now operating as an independent nonprofit born at the farm) and the Community Wood Bank (winter 2025-26 emergency heating assistance reaching 40 families with 12 cords of wood). Educational programming runs through multi-organization partnerships (Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center, Vermont Wilderness School, Nature Museum at Grafton, Vermont Museum of Natural History) with Vermont Public and Vermont Community Foundation media/funding support. No technology platform underpins the operation; the business is a community asset leveraging a fixed land base, historic structures, and curated local producer relationships.

Name

Retreat Farm

Legal name

Retreat Farm

Website

https://retreatfarm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Retreat Farm is a nonprofit community farm in Brattleboro, Vermont operating 500+ acres of conserved land with free public trail access, generating revenue through venue rentals, a retail market featuring 100+ Vermont producers, signature events, and donations while running food security and wood assistance programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit community farm and working landscape

NAICS

Farm Management Services (115116)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Agritourism Eco-Lodges & Farm Nature Stays (THAAAHAL)

Keywords

• Nonprofit community farm
• Land conservation services
• Venue rental services
• Community event programming
• Local food market

Headquarters

HQ city

Brattleboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Support: Retreat Farm relies on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors to sustain operations and public access. The organization operates as a nonprofit with a Free Ticket Fund to ensure accessibility regardless of income.
2. Venue Rental: The farm generates revenue through renting its facilities for weddings, private events, and celebrations. Venues include the North Barn (up to 200-250 guests), Farmhouse Square (up to 500 people), Overlook Meadow, and other spaces.
3. Retreat Farm Market: The market sells Vermont artisanal products including cheese, maple syrup, craft beverages, and local goods. Features over 100 Vermont farmers, producers, and artists.
4. Event Tickets and Programs: Revenue from ticket sales for signature events including Food Truck Roundup, Ramble bike ride, Open Barn, Wild Wisdom workshops, and America at 250 series.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Retreat Farm is a nonprofit community farm and working landscape in Brattleboro, Vermont that provides free public access to 500+ acres of conserved forests, farmlands, trails, and waterways, and operates a portfolio of community programs including the Retreat Farm Market (retail of Vermont artisanal products), venue rental in the historic North Barn and Farmhouse Square, signature events (Food Truck Roundup, Ramble, Open Barn, Wild Wisdom, America at 250), the Community Food Project (sliding-scale CSA), and the Community Wood Bank (emergency heating assistance). The organization sustains operations through donations, grants, market sales, venue rentals, and event ticketing.

Product overview

Retreat Farm is a nonprofit community farm offering a diverse portfolio of programs and services rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include the Retreat Farm Market (a retail marketplace featuring Vermont farmers, producers, and artisans), public access trails and lands (11+ miles of hiking trails, forests, and waterways), and venue/event rental services (the North Barn and surrounding spaces for weddings and gatherings). Additional programs include the Community Food Project (a sliding-scale CSA), Community Wood Bank (emergency heating assistance), the Thirsty Goat Bar (craft beverage service), and signature events such as Food Truck Roundup, Ramble bike ride, Open Barn, and Wild Wisdom educational programming. These offerings operate independently as community programs rather than as an integrated platform with modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Stories of Resilience: A series of events featuring cultural resilience programming
• Harvesting Hues
• Food Truck Roundup
• Wild Wisdom
• Ramble
• America at 250
• Open Barn
• Weddings at the Farm

Products and services

• Retreat Farm Market Retail marketplace featuring over 100 Vermont farmers, producers, and artisans, offering artisan cheese, maple syrup, craft beverages, and locally-made goods. Open Wednesday-Monday 10am-6pm at 400 Linden Street, Brattleboro.
• Trails and Waters Public trail network with 11 miles of trails including the Nature Trail, Woodlands Interpretive Trail, and access to meadows and waterfront. Open seven days a week from dawn to dusk.
• Venue Rental (North Barn, Farmhouse Square, Overlook Meadow) Event venue rental featuring the North Barn (seating for up to 200-250 guests), Farmhouse Square (up to 500 people), Overlook Meadow, and other spaces for weddings, celebrations, and corporate events. Standard rental period is 14 hours (8am-10pm).
• Community Food Project A sliding-scale Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program that grows and distributes fresh, nutritious food for the community. Born at Retreat Farm, now an independent nonprofit with a close relationship to Retreat Farm.
• Community Wood Bank Emergency short-term cord wood supply for individuals and families struggling with heating costs. Offers up to 1/3 cord of wood for those in need. During winter 2025-26, nearly 40 families received 12 cords of wood.
• Thirsty Goat Bar Full-service craft beverage bar featuring regional Vermont producers including Hill Farmstead Brewery, Scott Farm Orchard, and Zero Gravity Craft Brewery. Available during events and select hours.
• Food Truck Roundup Annual signature event featuring multiple regional food trucks, with season passes and individual tickets available. Part of Retreat Farm's signature events programming celebrating local farmers, producers, and artists.
• Ramble Bike Ride Annual cycling event with multiple route options including a 33-mile mixed gravel/pavement farm tour and a 15-mile family-friendly hybrid route, featuring aid stations and partnering farms.
• Open Barn Weekend animal experience program where visitors can meet oxen, goats, pigs, and other farm animals. Runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10am-3pm during summer months.
• Wild Wisdom Nature education series presented in partnership with Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center, Vermont Wilderness School, the Nature Museum at Grafton, and Vermont Museum of Natural History. Features workshops on wilderness skills, natural history, and environmental topics.
• America at 250 Discussion series presented with Vermont Public and Vermont Community Foundation featuring local and national thought leaders on citizenship, civil society, and American democracy.
• Stories of Resilience Community resilience series featuring cultural programming, musical performances, and talks exploring community strength and adaptation.
• Harvesting Hues: Natural Dye Workshops Workshop series teaching natural dye techniques using plants and botanicals found on the farm.
• Landstory Outdoor museum experience with interpretive signage exploring the cultural and natural history of the land, including the Wantastegok marker honoring Abenaki presence and the Historic Farmstead Pathway.
• Forest Playground Natural play area for children featuring a mud kitchen, jumping stumps, loose parts for building, and access to the Nature Trail and Storybook Walk.
• Storybook Walk Seasonal children's book walk where families follow a trail finding pages of land-based stories that highlight diverse voices.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Community Food ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn independent nonprofit born at Retreat Farm that provides fresh, nutritious food to the community through a sliding-scale CSA. While now independent, it maintains a close relationship with Retreat Farm.
• SEVCA (Southeastern Vermont Community Action)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional community action organization partnering with the Community Wood Bank to help neighbors access heating assistance.
• Bonnyvale Environmental Education CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Wild Wisdom series, providing nature-based educational workshops and events at Retreat Farm.
• Vermont Wilderness SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Wild Wisdom series, offering traditional outdoor skills workshops including fire-making techniques.
• The Nature Museum at GraftoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Wild Wisdom series, providing educational programming on nature connection.
• Vermont Museum of Natural HistorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Wild Wisdom series, offering wildlife and nature journaling programming.
• Vermont PubliccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia partner for the America at 250 series, a collaboration exploring citizenship, civil society, and American history with local and national thought leaders.
• Hill Farmstead BreweryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCraft brewery featured at the Thirsty Goat Bar, providing beers on tap. Located in North Greensboro, Vermont.
• Scott Farm OrchardminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified B Corp orchard in Dummerston, Vermont growing 130 varieties of heirloom apples. Products featured at Thirsty Goat Bar.
• Zero Gravity Craft BreweryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCraft brewery from Burlington, Vermont featured at Thirsty Goat Bar, known for sustainability initiatives.
• Tavernier ChocolatesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArtisan chocolate maker creating chocolates with locally foraged and grown ingredients. Featured at the Retreat Farm Market.
• Parish Hill CreameryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAward-winning cheese maker in West Minster West, Vermont. Products featured at the Retreat Farm Market.
• The Bunker FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily-run farm in Dummerston producing award-winning maple syrup, flowers, and pasture-raised meat. Also provides agricultural education.
• Transom Story LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit storytelling organization leading the March 2026 America at 250 event featuring community members sharing personal stories about American identity.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Shelburne Farms: Nonprofit working farm and education center in Shelburne, Vermont, with public access, trails, event venues, educational programming, and a historic inn. Highly comparable operating model in the same Vermont/New England agritourism market.
• Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture: Nonprofit farm and education center in Pocantico Hills, New York, focused on regenerative agriculture, public programming, events, and market sales. Closely analogous operating model; Retreat Farm board secretary Judy Fink is the retired Education Director here.
• Billings Farm & Museum: Working dairy farm and museum in Woodstock, Vermont, operated by The Woodstock Foundation, with public access, livestock programs, and educational exhibits. Same Vermont operating context and nonprofit working-farm model.
• Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming: Nonprofit farm and food systems organization in Cold Spring, New York, advancing regional food production, public events, and CSA-style programming. Comparable mission, scale, and farm-based nonprofit structure.
• Hawthorne Valley Farm: Biodynamic farm in Ghent, New York, operating a CSA, on-site store, and education programs. Comparable diversified nonprofit farm model with retail, food access, and learning components.
• Farmers' Museum: Farm heritage museum and working farm in Cooperstown, New York, operated by the New York State Historical Association. Public access, livestock, events, and educational exhibits parallel Retreat Farm's community programming model.
• Roxbury Farm: Certified organic CSA farm in Kinderhook, New York, distributing to hundreds of members in the Hudson Valley and NYC. Comparable CSA/community-supported agriculture component that overlaps with Retreat Farm's Community Food Project.

Broad incumbents

• Wave Hill: Public garden and cultural center in the Bronx, New York, offering public access to a natural landscape with programming, events, and venue use. Broader scale and more horticultural focus but analogous public-common-with-events model.
• The Trustees of Reservations: Massachusetts-based nonprofit that owns and operates 120+ properties for public enjoyment, including farms, gardens, and event venues. Broader portfolio and geographic footprint but shared model of conserved-land public access and event programming.
• Vermont Land Trust: Statewide land conservation nonprofit in Vermont protecting farms, forest, and community lands. Different operating model (conservation-only, not direct programming) but a key ecosystem player for conserved Vermont working landscapes like Retreat Farm.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/retreat-farm
• Facebookfacebook.com/RetreatFarmBarnyard

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Retreat Farm