Looking Back at The Lady Farmer Slow Living Retreat 2019
What happens when you put dozens of fun and smart sustainably-minded women together in a beautiful setting for two days, with wonderful food and wine and amazing workshops? In a word: magic! And magic is indeed what happened on November 15th-17th, when we had the pleasure of hosting our second Lady Farmer Slow Living Retreat at Zigbone Farm in Sabillasville, MD.
The retreat began on Friday evening with a wine reception welcoming approximately sixty women, arriving from locations as local as down the road and as distant as Texas. A fire in the living room of the cozy, restored Zigbone Farmhouse created the perfect gathering spot for introductions and getting to know one another. Weekend programming was launched on Saturday morning with opening remarks by Lady Farmer Co-Founders, Mary and Emma Kingsley, followed by the first presentation from their Sustainable Living Series, entitled How Did We Get Here and What Do We Do Now?
The rest of the day unfolded as participants were given a selection of workshops to attend. Topics included bundle dyeing with natural materials, developing a mindful skincare routine, fermentation basics, how to make your own kefir and sourdough starter, practicing yogic mindfulness in daily life, and sound and nature healing sessions. An ongoing mending circle allowed some communal down time and informal sharing of clothing repair skills, a practical alternative in our world of disposable fast fashion.
The day culminated in a special meal on Saturday night, a beautifully prepared farm-to-table dinner featuring delicious, locally sourced fare, including local wine and a signature dessert. A surprise performance featuring sweet harmonies by Missing Sister, a talented local lady farmer singing group, highlighted the celebration. The evening represented all the best of slow living: community, sharing, learning, and nurturing.
The retreat continued on Sunday with yoga, workshops, delicious meals and the afternoon Sustainable Living Series presentation entitled Exploring Sustainable Alternatives Through Food, Clothing and Spaces, after which the gathering drew to a close. The participants assembled on the steps of the Zigbone event hall for a group photo before saying goodbye to new friends, with promises to see one another again.
So, you might ask, "Who are these lady farmers who gathered for a weekend retreat in the country? What drew all of these women together?"
Whether she owns and cultivates country acreage, tends to a home garden or dwells in the city with a desire to create space in her life for more sustainable living, the lady farmer sows the seeds of slow living all around her. She is any women who cares deeply about personal connection, cultivating meaningful relationships with the people in her life and the land under her feet. She chooses, uses and purchases thoughtfully, understanding her individual impact on the world and the future. She has a motherly instinct, whether for her own children or all children, embracing the idea of the world as a village and tending to the growth of her community. She brings an open heart and a conscious mind to living on the earth. These are the women who came together for the Lady Farmer Slow Living Retreat 2019.
Thanks once again to our team, our sponsors and presenters and to Zigbone Farm Retreat for providing us with such a wonderful setting for a slow living experience! And thank you to Lauren Tina Photography for capturing the weekend so beautifully.
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