Good Contrivance Farm Inc

Good Contrivance Farm Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on preserving and restoring historic small farms in Maryland. Located in Reisterstown, Maryland, the farm originated in 1860 and was owned by the same family for five generations until it was acquired by Ron Tanner and Jill Eicher in 2015, who then transformed it into a writing retreat[2].

Mission and Activities

Good Contrivance Farm serves as a model for historic preservation and sustainable practices. The organization emphasizes gardening, featuring a 30-tree orchard, a large kitchen garden, a wildflower meadow, a greenhouse, and numerous flower beds. Although it has facilities for farm animals, the focus currently lies on horticulture and hosting writers[1].

The Writer's Retreat

The farm offers two main residence spaces for writers: the Barn Loft Apartment and the Hen House Cottage. These spaces provide a peaceful environment for poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers to stay and work on their projects. Residencies can last up to four weeks and are available year-round. The application process involves submitting a writing sample and a resume, with no application fee[5].

Governance and Financial Model

The nonprofit operations are overseen by a board of directors, which includes members such as Nate Brown, Michael Downs, Christine Higgins, Leslie Gilden, and Sheri Venema[1]. Ron Tanner, a well-published writer with notable awards in his name, directs the Writer’s Retreat. Proceeds from the retreat support the farm's restoration efforts and its mission to preserve historic family farms[4].

Facilities and Accessibility

While offering a serene setting with historic outbuildings and open fields, the facilities are not designed to accommodate persons with limited mobility due to the age of the structures[4].

Educational Programs

Good Contrivance Farm also offers additional programming, including workshops and craft talks, tailored to respond to the needs of its community through surveys and feedback from writers and followers[1].