The Big Raven Farm Blog

Discover why handmade holiday gifts mean so much, from thoughtful keepsakes to creative projects and memories made at Big Raven Farm in Minnesota.

As our 2026 retreat season winds down, I'm reflecting on what another wonderful year at Big Raven Farm has taught me. From conversations about Darin's cooking to the guests who can't wait to return, there's plenty to appreciate. And we're not finished yet! Three November retreats remain, with a few openings still available.

I spend a lot of time making things. Some of it is for our retreats, some of it ends up as artwork around the Farm, and some starts as an idea I just want to try. But I've noticed something about myself. Even when I'm working on something just for fun, I can catch myself thinking about what I'm going to do with it when it's finished. Could it become a project for one of our retreats? Would it look good somewhere in the farmhouse? Is it something I should photograph or save for later? There's nothing wrong with any...

Go behind the scenes at Big Raven Farm as Joleen shares the grocery runs, creative project preparations, and little details that go into a Minnesota retreat weekend.

October always feels like a turning point at Big Raven Farm. The fields are changing, the evenings are cooler, and the holidays haven’t taken over the calendar quite yet. Maybe this is the perfect time to take a weekend for yourself.