Fall Urban Farmer Camp

You work hard all season long, now it’s time to rest and celebrate the harvest season together! This two-night restorative retreat is lead by Marni Swart of Growing Roots Together and will be held at Compass Rose Farms in Port Townsend, a 40-acre homestead and permaculture farm. Our host, Kateen Fitzgerald, (bio below) will impart her wisdom gained from over twenty years working on the land and teaching and mentoring students. The farm has several types of lodging sites available, from camping to cabins (see lodging info below). This weekend is all about making and building connections: connecting with fellow urban farmers and with the land that provides and nourishes us.

Learn more about Compass Rose Farms

Kateen Fitzgerald: After 20 years of teaching and mentoring  students, Kateen decided to create something more. So in 2007 she purchased 40 acres of land and built Compass Rose Farms, a bio-intensive family farm and homestead. Two years later in 2009 she began an internship program to teach modern homesteading, holistic animal husbandry, and regenerative food systems. Effectually, she began converting the farm into a Permaculture demonstration site, and in 2014 she founded The Dirt Rich School an education program dedicated to teaching the next generation to live sustainably. She now manages the internship program, local lectures, workshops, and volunteers.

Her passion for “land crafting” has been the driving force behind much of the program at the farm school. Teaching her students the importance of growing your own food, harvesting sustainably, perennializing, seed saving, and working with and not against the weeds.

Meals:

Bring your own breakfast and lunch. There is a full kitchen to prepare meals as well. We will do community style potluck dinners. See schedule for what to bring. We will provide a selection of hot tea and coffee, plus kombucha and/or iced tea. Please bring any other beverages you wish. 

Cost & Lodging information: The cost for the weekend camp/retreat is $125.00 per person with lodging charged separately (see pricing below). There are several lodging choices listed below. You will select the lodging preference when selecting your ticket for the event, however lodging will be paid separately through Compass Rose Farms via Hip Camp. See photos of the lodging options on Hip Camp (you will need to create an account to view all photos).

Below lodging cost estimate includes two nights, but does not include additional lodging taxes and cleaning fee if applicable – Friday and Saturday. Additional occupants/event attendees are $125.00. 

Cabin, 5 twin beds, sleeps 5: $40.00* per occupant 

- This is shared lodging, FEMALE ONLY

- Bed provided, bring a sleeping bag and pillow

Camp Sites (4) $100*

- Platform only. Bring your own tent/camping equipment. 

Van/Car camp sites (3) $80*

- Park and camp!

Trailers (4), sleep 1-2: $120*

- Trailers include all bedding

*Plus retreat fee of $125 per person and additional lodging taxes and fees. 

You will be paying the $125 fee to reserve your retreat spot and to hold your lodging preference (see ticket info). You will be paying Compass Rose Farms for the lodging seperately via Hip Camp. Marni will assist with connecting you with Kateen to reserve the lodging. 

Onsite: Full indoor kitchen, water, shower, port-a- potty, and cozy bathhouse. Plus many other outdoor amenities. Check out the facility here.

Example Schedule (Changes TBD):

Friday

3:00 PM Arrival

4:00 Farm Tour with Kateen

Community Dinner: Garden Salad – Let’s make a BIG garden salad together! Bring veggies from you garden and any protein you wish to add. Plus any other side dishes and desserts to share. We will provide local sourdough breads and condiments. 

Saturday:

AM: Solo time (see solo activities)

10:00 AM Making Fire Cider

Lunch & solo time

2:00 PM Permaculture Garden Tour with Kateen

3:00 PM Tea, crumpets, and garden conversations in the café or greenhouse

5:00 PM Community Dinner: Together we’ll make a nourishing pot of soup from our fall gardens. Bring soup ingredients from you garden and a side dish/snack, or dessert to share. Marni will provide vegetable broth, grain or bean choices, sourdough bread and condiments.

7:00 PM Bonfire & smore’s and more garden conversations!

Sunday:

Morning solo time

10:00 Sharing thoughts/learnings from the weekend

11:00 Check out

Optional lunch/shopping trip: Visit Port Townsend for shopping and lunch before heading home.

Solo Activities:

Meditation Yurt

Yoga on the outdoor platform

Forest Labyrinth

Forest Walking Trails

Bathhouse footsoak (in small groups)

Register today as space is limited to 10 participants