The 2027 Big Raven Farm Retreat Calendar Is Here (And I Can't Wait to Welcome You)

Every August, I find myself reflecting on the year that's just beginning to wind down.

Not on the projects we've made or the techniques we've taught, although those are certainly part of it.

I think about the conversations around the dinner table after everyone insisted they couldn't eat another bite... until dessert appeared.

I think about early mornings when someone wanders into the kitchen with a cup of coffee before the rest of the house is awake.

I think about hearing laughter drift out of the studio because someone tried something they were convinced they couldn't do.

And I think about Sunday mornings.

There's always a different feeling by then.

People who arrived on Thursday as strangers are exchanging phone numbers. They're making plans to meet up again. They're already asking which retreat they'll come back for next.

That's when I'm reminded that what we've created at Big Raven Farm is so much more than an art retreat or a cooking workshop.

It's a place to slow down.

To make something with your hands.

To enjoy incredible food around a table filled with good conversation.

To reconnect with your creativity.

To remember what it feels like to spend a few days doing something simply because it brings you joy.

That's why putting together each new retreat calendar means so much to me.

Earlier this month, we released our 2027 Big Raven Farm retreat schedule, and I couldn't be more excited to share it with you.

Every Retreat Shapes the Next One

One of the things I love most about hosting retreats is that we're always learning right alongside our guests.

After every retreat, I ask for feedback. Not because I expect everything to be perfect, but because I genuinely want to know what made the weekend meaningful and where we can make it even better.

Those conversations have shaped Big Raven Farm in more ways than most people probably realize.

Some suggestions have been simple.

Some have completely changed the way we think about our retreat calendar.

Every retreat teaches us something.

Every guest leaves a little piece of themselves behind, and because of that, the next retreat becomes a little better.

As our retreat community has grown, we've become more intentional about the experiences we offer. Rather than filling every available weekend with something new, we've focused on the retreats guests return for year after year while continuing to refine and improve each one.

I'd much rather offer fewer weekends and make every one of them exceptional than simply have a calendar that's full.

That philosophy shaped every decision we made for 2027.

The Farm Is Part of the Experience

People often ask me what makes Big Raven Farm different.

Honestly, it isn't just the projects.

It's the rhythm of the weekend.

It's coffee on the porch before breakfast while the farm slowly wakes up.

It's wandering outside to see what's blooming before heading into the studio.

It's creating all afternoon, then sitting down to a meal you didn't have to cook.

It's lingering around the dinner table long after everyone has finished eating because no one is in a hurry to leave.

It's watching the sun dip lower over the fields while conversations somehow become deeper than they were just a few hours earlier.

The art matters.

The food matters.

But what people remember most is how they felt while they were here.

If you're wondering what a retreat weekend actually looks like—from arriving on Thursday evening to saying goodbye on Sunday morning—I shared all of that in another blog. It walks you through a typical weekend at Big Raven Farm and gives you a glimpse into the pace, the meals, the creative time, and the little moments that make these retreats so special. If you're new to Big Raven Farm, I encourage you to read "A Weekend at Big Raven Farm" before choosing your retreat.

Gathering Around the Table

Creativity has always been at the heart of Big Raven Farm.

But so has gathering around the table.

If you've attended one of our retreats, you already know that Darin's meals have become part of the experience. I honestly don't think a retreat goes by without someone asking for a recipe or wondering if he'll ever teach a cooking class.

That's exactly how our Elevate Your Plate retreats came to be.

We've traditionally offered two cooking retreats each year, and after listening to guest feedback, we made one small change for 2027.

Guests told us they especially loved learning new recipes and entertaining ideas heading into the holiday season. It gave them time to practice new techniques before hosting family and friends.

So this year, we've moved both cooking retreats into the fall.

It just feels right.

The Moments That Stay With Me

One of my favorite pieces of feedback came from Dennis after his first retreat.

"I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into, as this was out of my wheelhouse. But I enjoyed myself immensely, even though I felt very needy at times. Thanks again to you both for your generosity!" — Dennis M.

I smile every time I read that.

Because I know there are people reading this who feel exactly the same way.

Maybe you've never been to an art retreat.

Maybe you're worried you'll come by yourself.

Maybe you don't think you're creative enough.

Please don't let that stop you.

One of my favorite things to watch is what happens between Friday morning and Sunday afternoon.

On Friday, someone quietly tells me, "I've never done anything like this before."

By Sunday, they're holding up something they created with a huge smile and already talking about what they'd like to make next.

Watching that confidence grow never gets old.

We've welcomed complete beginners, experienced artists, retired teachers, accountants, engineers, nurses, and people who hadn't picked up a paintbrush in decades.

Everyone belongs here.

Another guest, Ricki, summed up the experience better than I ever could.

"Big Raven Farm was the place I didn't know I needed. Joleen and Darin were amazing hosts and everything was perfect! They paid attention to the little details and there are no words for how tasty the food was!! You HAVE to experience it!" — Ricki F.

Reading words like that reminds me why we continue to listen so carefully to every suggestion, every idea, and every piece of feedback our guests share.

Big Raven Farm has grown because of this community.

The 2027 retreat season reflects everything we've learned together.

One of my favorite blogs I've ever written is "Six Things Guests Say on Sunday Morning That They Didn't Say on Thursday Night."

If you've already read it, you'll know exactly what I mean.

The transformation isn't dramatic.

It's quiet.

Someone who arrived exhausted leaves smiling.

Someone who came alone leaves with new friends.

Someone who thought they "weren't creative" heads home planning their next project.

That's what these weekends are really about.

Our 2027 Retreat Calendar

Here's what's waiting for us in 2027.