Retreats & Conferences at River Bend Farm
River Bend Farm is a peaceful retreat center in Saco, Maine — just 30 minutes from Portland and under 2 hours from Boston. Nestled on the river, it's the perfect place for your group to connect, grow, and recharge.
Host your retreat, conference, or multi-day gathering with us — and enjoy fresh food, sustainable living, and the best of Maine’s countryside.
History of River Bend Farm
Our 313-acre campus, River Bend Farm, is full of history. We gratefully acknowledge that this is the traditional land of the Wabanaki people and are committed to making it a welcoming place for everyone to connect with the land and the food that nourishes us.
Before The Ecology School made its home here, the Merrill family used the farm for breeding Thoroughbred and Arabian horses. The original 1794 farmhouse and 1840 barn are still in use—our administrative team even works out of the farmhouse!
In 2019, we began building some of the most sustainable buildings in Maine, following the Living Building Challenge. Today, those spaces, along with our cozy yurts, host youth and adult programs, retreats, and conferences that bring people closer to nature.
The Buildings
The buildings at River Bend Farm are spaces designed to be efficient, functional, and connect people to the natural world. From the idyllic “front porch view” from our farmhouse meeting room to the treehouse perspective out of the large Dormitory windows, the buildings at River Bend Farm intentionally facilitate a deeper connect with the world around us. Comfortable accommodations provide a space for rest and relaxation, while our meeting and eating spaces bring community together for conversation, idea generation, and connection. Below are the buildings that are available to rent for group overnight experiences.
Our campus at River Bend Farm is modeled to achieve the Living Community Challenge, a tool to create a symbiotic relationship between people and all aspects of the built environment. In fact, we are the first organization in the world to submit a Master Plan outlining our strategies to do so. To begin this rigorous “challenge,” two of our buildings—the Dormitory and Dining Commons—are built to the specifications of the Living Build Challenge.
Inquire about a site rental
Questions about hosting a retreat or conference at River Bend Farm?
Email Group Sales Manager, Sarah Demaris, here.