HISTORY OF THE RETREAT FARM

The Original Retreat Farm

What makes the Retreat Farm unique is that it was once part of the Brattleboro Retreat, a private mental health facility.

Since the Farm's origin in the 1840's, the operation provided milk, meat, vegetables and fruits for the hospital population.

In time, the Farm was used as an extension of the mental health program itself with patients working the farm as a therapeutic and vocational outlet.

Preserving the Past for the Future

Over the years, the Farm's importance to the operation of the mental heath facility decreased. Due to the changes in agriculture and the increase in property values in the Brattleboro area, the Farm was destined to befriend the wrecker's ball and land developers.

When Retreat Healthcare announced the farm's demise, concerned citizens in Brattleboro rose to the occasion to save this treasured resource.

In time, The Windham Foundation, the largest private foundation in Vermont, saw that the preservation of this property and its continued operation fit within its mission. The Windham Foundation purchased the farm in May 2001 and has assumed its operations since then.

Brattleboro residents, in concert with the Vermont Land Trust, raised additional funds to purchase facade easements and conservation rights on the open land to assure that the farm will retain its appearance and usefulness for the foreseeable future.

A Unique Farm

The main farmstead is immediately outside downtown Brattleboro making it one of the most readily accessible and noticeable farms in the state.

Because of limited land availability on the farmstead proper, all the original buildings were constructed to form a unique "farmhouse square," a green space surrounded by working farm buildings with a beautiful view to the east.

The Retreat Farm contains 450 acres of prime agricultural land including a 75 acre meadow.

Until the early 1900's, the Farm used the land under the meadow. Around 1908, power companies constructed a dam on the Connecticut River flooding the farmland. In order for the Farm to continue operations, land to the west of town was acquired to make up for the loss of the meadows. Thus, the Farm continues to own the original parcel while the public uses the meadows for a multitude of four season recreational activities. 

Supporting Agriculture in a New Way

In October 2006, the dairy operation at the Retreat Farm ceased due to decreasing milk prices and increased losses at the Farm.

However, the Windham Foundation has remained committed to supporting Vermont farmers and agriculture in the state. One way it is doing this is by doubling the production of the award-winning Grafton Village Cheese Co., an artisanal, handcrafted cheddar cheese. In addition to its flagship location in Grafton, Vt., the Cheese Co. now has a second home at the Retreat Farm. The new building includes a brand new cheddar production facility as well as a Specialty Cheese & Wine Shoppe, offering not only Grafton Cheese but 80 types of other cheeses, wines, specialty foods, maple products, gifts and much more. 

The Petting Farm

The popular Retreat Petting Farm operates on a seasonal schedule and offers a fun experience for all ages to learn about Vermont farm animals and agriculture.

The Retreat Trails

The nine-mile network of the Retreat Trails, a recreational trail system, is also part of the Retreat Farm. The farm is home to one of the five access points on the trail system for visitors to enjoy year round.