Calling all gardeners, nature lovers and permaculture nerds! We are now accepting up to 12 participants for our Spring Residency, coming up at Sky Meadow this April. (Oh, and it’s free!)

This is a great opportunity to work the land, deepen your skills and enjoy a week-long retreat at Sky Meadow, in exchange for much-appreciated help with spring chores around the space. Other than a few hours of work as a full group each day, the rest of the time is free for rest, relaxation, meditation, socializing, writing, yoga, exploring the woods — whatever you like!

Here are some answers to a few FAQs about this residency:

How should I get there?

If driving to Sky Meadow, the easiest way to get directions is to simply type “Sky Meadow Retreat” into your GPS and we’ll come right up! We’re located at 63 Winchester Road in Stannard, Vermont (you may also see the town listed as Greensboro Bend because our two towns share a zip code/PO).

If you are flying in, your best bet is going to be Burlington International Airport (BTV), which is about 90 minutes away from us. Another option is Boston, but it’s a much further drive at about 3 hours away. In either case, you’ll need a car to get from the airport to Sky Meadow. If any airport carpooling opportunities become available, we’ll let you know by email closer to the day.

When can I arrive/depart from the event?

As far as arrival and departure times, the first day is Wednesday, April 24 and you are welcome to get here as early as 12pm. The last day, Wednesday, May 1, will be more of an informal hang-out day as everyone gets packed up and makes their way out. Feel free to stay as late as 4pm — after that we’ll need to start cleaning up and getting ready for our next stay. 🙂

What will the schedule be like?

The exact schedule will be dependent on the weather, who’s in the group, what needs to be done, etc., but in general you can expect a block of work time in the morning and then in the afternoon, around 4-6 hours total each day. Activities may include things like putting compost on the vegetable garden, clearing away brush from garden and perennial beds, sowing new pasture, cleaning and maintaining animal pens, pruning, and sprucing up various spaces around the property. The rest is free time for you to explore, relax, write, meditate, cook, play music, whatever you like! There will be daily morning meditation you’re welcome to join, and in the evenings we often gather in the Retreat Barn or around a campfire to hang out with a glass of wine and chat.

Where will I stay?

You will stay in one of the rooms in our Retreat Barn, or weather permitting in one of our cabins/cottages. As we get closer to the event, we’ll send out an email to gather everyone’s room preferences and make assignments accordingly. You can see more details and photos of the various accommodations & amenities here.

Are meals included?

For the most part, you will be responsible for your own meals and drinks (other than water, coffee and tea) throughout the week. You will have access to our Retreat Barn kitchen to cook in, as well as our coffee and tea bar. We will also have some basic staples on-hand like rice, quinoa, dried beans, etc. that you’d be welcome to use. There are also some lovely restaurants in our area, and a deli/convenience store called Smith’s only 8 minutes away if you need to grab something quick. On the last night of the event, we’ll celebrate a week’s work well done with a communal feast, which is included.

What should I bring?

Bring work clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and a good pair of work shoes that can stand up to mud — waterproof hiking-type boots or rubber rain boots work well. Late April weather can be variable, so having layers you can take on/off as needed is helpful. Sunscreen, bug repellent and a flashlight are always a good idea, and a pair of slippers to wear indoors is also really nice. You’ll have access to laundry facilities if you need it, and bed linens/towels are also provided.

Can I bring other family members, kids or pets?

This event is limited to those who are participating in the work-exchange residency. While we’d love to offer some kid-friendly opportunities at some point, this event is for adults only. Sorry, pets are not allowed at this event.

What is the cancellation policy?

This is a free event, open to all, and we totally understand that sometimes unexpected things come up. Please just bear in mind that spots are limited, so if you know you won’t be able to make it, let us know as soon as you can so that we can open up your spot to someone else.

To register for this event, click here. Don’t worry if you can’t make it this time around — we hope to make it a twice a year thing! And if you still have any questions, feel free to reach out to Brendan & Erin here. Hope to see you there!