Thriving Communities Gathering – From Blight To Bloom
October 26 - 28, 2023
From Blight to Bloom: Cultivating Hope Through Regenerative Farming
Embark on an exploration of agriculture and community impact with us as we explore regenerative and indigenous farming techniques in creating health, community, and sustainability.
Join RID-ALL Green Partnership (Cleveland, OH), Spirit Farm (Vanderwagen, NM), and the Organic Farm School (Clinton, WA), community leaders and enthusiasts in a transformative three-day retreat focused on regenerative farming.
Inspire and be inspired to improve existing efforts, ignite leadership, and make a lasting change.
This event takes place at the Whidbey Institute on verdant Whidbey Island. The 106-acre woodland sanctuary is a perfect backdrop for exploring regenerative farming.
Engage in transformative dialogues within inviting meeting spaces that encourage collaboration and creativity.
2023 Films in Focus
This year, Thriving Communities films is shining a spotlight on three organizations in the U.S. that are leading the way in regenerative and indigenous farming.
Rid-All Green Partnership in Cleveland, Ohio: Rid-All is an urban farm that uses regenerative farming practices to produce fresh, healthy food for the local community while also creating jobs and promoting education and training.
Spirit Farm in Vanderwagon, New Mexico: Spirit Farm is a regenerative farm that works with the Navajo Nation to restore the soil and revive traditional agricultural practices, while also providing fresh food and economic opportunities for local residents.
Organic Farm School in Clinton, Washington: The Organic Farm School is a non-profit organization that trains new farmers in regenerative farming practices, while also producing fresh, healthy food for the local community and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Cultivating Hope
Through their innovative agricultural practices and unwavering commitment to their communities, the organizations we are filming this year, demonstrate the power of regenerative farming to transform the food system and create a more just and sustainable world.
By highlighting the stories of these organizations through film and other mediums, we aim to inspire and educate others on the potential of regenerative farming to improve community health, build resilience, and promote social and environmental justice.
Dive into the heart of sustainability and transformation this October with Thriving Communities and the Whidbey Institute.
Thriving Communities shines a light on organizations that are making a difference through justice, equity, and love. We capture their stories on film and offer them as a gift back to these changemakers. Through our Gatherings, we foster meaningful connections and dialogues that ripple out far beyond the screen. Our mission? To unite us all in building a more compassionate and interconnected world.
Who should join us?
Anyone who has a heart connection to this work and wants to learn more is welcome!
Questions about the Gathering?
Please reach out to Jerry Millhon.
Meal and Lodging Costs
| Commuting, sleeping offsite | $261 |
| Shared room with queen bed | $391 |
| Shared room, double occupancy | $391 |
| Single room | $431 |
Prices for commuting and lodging onsite include meals (Thursday dinner through Saturday lunch), registration fee, and a rapid onsite COVID test administered upon arrival.
Tuition Costs
| Standard Tuition | $175 |
| Catalyst Tuition | $225 |
| Supported Tuition | $125 |
Total cost to participate will range from $386 plus tax for commuting, dining, and contributing at the Supported Tuition level, to $656 plus tax for lodging in a single room, dining, and contributing at the Catalyst Tuition level.
