“I am writing to send a sincere thank you to the WEI for hosting my group, the Seeds of Justice Youth Fellowship in later October. We had an amazing experience and will definitely want to come back next year for our next fellowship class.” (Lauren Batien, 2009, Seeds of Justice Youth Fellowship Group)
Each year, we are privileged to host WEI members at our peaceful Eco-Retreat Center on Amador Hill in Almelund, MN. The brick farmhouse, which houses WEI’s farm office, overlooks the orchard in our peaceful country setting. During the summer months, the house provides comfortable living space for our farm interns and Farm Stay-Over guests who want to experience the atmosphere of a working organic farm while taking a few days away from the city and enjoying the luxury of the Amador Room, with its private bath and queen-sized bed. In winter, the Center provides a refuge and retreat in a quiet country setting; perfect for anyone that needs a break from the usual grind and some snowy quiet days in the country. For all WEI guests, an organic country breakfast is included, using farm-fresh eggs, organic vegetables and breads made from flour from our local North Circle producers (Sunrise Flour Mill), Darrold and Marty Glanville.
On warm summer evenings, you can sit on the porch and watch the honey bees busily at work in our perennial garden or enjoy a walk around the farm and orchard. In the winter, gather around the fireplace in the living room fora rocking chair chat or simply immerse yourself in a good book while soaking in the Amador room jacuzzi. So rural, there's not even a phone in the bedroom to disturb the peace – and only an hour’s drive from the Twin Cities metro. Wake up to the songs of birds or the quiet of a snow-covered landscape, and decide which direction your day will go. Feel free to sit in silence and watch the
apple trees bloom or watch a movie.
On the other hand, if "going and doing" is your way to relax, there are many excellent opportunities. Wild River State Park, with its many trails for hiking or skiing, is just five minutes from your doorstep. In a 20 minute drive you’ll find the shops and restaurants of Taylors Falls, MN and St Croix Falls, WI. Whether you’re looking for Fine Dining (try Grecco’s in St. Croix Falls or Tangled Up in Blue, in Taylors Falls) or a good pizza or a burger (try the Sunrise River Pub and Grill, 5 minutes away), it’s easy to get a great meal
that will fit your budget! Go rock climbing at Taylor’s Falls or cross-country skiing on the farm or in the Wild River State Park or rent a canoe and float down the St Croix River. Trail rides are offered at Wild River Stables during the summer season. St Croix Falls also boasts its own theatre company, housed in a 1917 renovated Vaudeville theatre,
with a full lineup of plays and concerts. As you can tell, we love it here.
This year, WEI will once again be offering Organization Memberships which entitles your group or agency to a day-meeting (Monday-Friday) at the Eco-Retreat Center which is a fantastic place for your organization’s Staff Retreat or a group meeting or conference. Our conference room, nestled in the eaves of the house, seats 15 people comfortably around a large table. The Center also has a large media room that can easily hold 20 people and the ever-popular Rocking Chair Circle around the fireplace is a great place to gather for small group discussions or break out groups.
Keep in mind that the original idea for the Eco-Retreat Center was to provide a place for exhausted radicals and social change workers to find some time to rest, renew, and get ready. We hope you may see yourself in that inspiring stretch of human hope and struggle and think about WEI as home away from hassle.
Rental information for WEI members can be found on the WEI website, click here.
