Sustainable Life Retreats

Douglas Stevenson, your host for the Sustainable Life Retreats

Douglas is the host for the Sustainable Life Retreats and workshops that take place throughout the year. They highlight the joys and and challenges of life in community, sustainability, spirituality and the lessons learned through his 35+ years with the The Farm.

Douglas Stevenson became a member of The Farm Community in 1973, arriving with his high school sweetheart Deborah Flowers when they were both 19.

Dog, Deb and son Jody

Tikal, Guatemala

Douglas, Deborah and their two children spent 2 years in Guatemala ('78 - '80) with Plenty International, doing relief work after a devastating earthquake.

Douglas served as a radio technician for the group of volunteers, proving the daily communications link back to The Farm in Tennessee.

The Sustainable Life Retreats have been designed to give you an opportunity to recharge your energy and establish a path to greater health and happiness. Based on The Farm Community in Tennessee, you are surrounded by nature and the energy that comes from the power of a shared vision, a unique environment for change and growth. Each retreat focuses on a different aspect of the Sustainable Life. Choose the one that will help you take a positive step and further your life goals. Most of all, it is about taking the time to enjoy life! Now it's up to you. Register today!
2010 Calendar
August 4-8 or 6-8 (weekend only), 2010: Vegetarian Family Retreat Swimming, hiking, kid activities, workshops and GREAT FOOD! Fun for the entire family. Includes Camp sites. Click here for a list of accommodations
Sept. 17-19 Farm Experience Weekend The best overview of the sustainable life, providing the inspiration you need to fulfill your life goals and live your dreams.
Camp sites include water, shower and bathroom facilities. Click here for a list of accommodations Essay: True Sustainability	Meet Your host: Douglas Stevenson
NEW: The Farm's Green Home Gallery

In 1980 he started Village Media, a small business based on The Farm that provides video, web and other communications services for companies and nonprofits throughout the U.S., such as state-wide video communications networks for Bell South in Tennessee and Sprint in Florida.

In the late 1980's he spent three months in Nigeria installing satellite systems for a television station and hotels. Video work sent Douglas to former Soviet Republic of Belarus, and down to New Orleans after Katrina.

Douglas is also a published author with one book and over 1000 articles that have appeared in a variety of national and international newsstand magazines.

Douglas and Deborah rest outside a cave in Belize.

Ready for a change, in 2000 Douglas and Deborah became active again in the nonprofit sector, again serving as volunteers for Plenty International, this time in Belize.

Deborah taught midwifery to Mayan women from 10 villages scattered through the mountainous region. Douglas used his time there to assist a Mayan village eco-tourism association in marketing and promotion.

Returning to the States, he became the president of Swan Conservation Trust, and signed the note purchasing land that established the 1475 acre Big Swan Headwaters Preserve. He serves as the organization's principle fundraiser in a capital campaign to raise over 1 million dollars.

After 9/11, Douglas became a founding member of PeaceRoots Alliance and served for a number of years on its board of directors.

He used his skills in graphic design and media to create anti-war and pro-peace billboards which have appeared in over 200 locations throughout the country, promoted through the web site PeaceSigns.org.

His company's latest project is a documentary profiling 10 Intentional Communities across the United States.

Douglas has served on The Farm Community ’s board of directors for 6 years and currently functions as The Farm’s “Manager,” supervising community projects, maintenance and improvements to the infrastructure while also serving as the community’s public relations spokesperson. He documents life on The Farm through www.thefarmblog.org and publishes a monthly e-newsletter called Farm Fresh. (subscribe)

His current passion is to help others build a sustainable life that establishes a balance of family and good health along side work and right livelihood.

In addition to juggling work, playing music, and his many different projects, Douglas tries to spend a couple of hours each day growing and preserving food.

His daughter Leah lives on The Farm with her husband Chris and their two children, where she serves as an accountant for The Farm Community,

Douglas spends as much time as possible with the grandkids.

L to R: Deborah, Douglas, Lulie, Chris, Leah & Charlie