11 sites · Lodging158 acres · Lincoln, VTMetta Earth Institute (MEI) is a non-profit educational retreat center in Lincoln, Vermont. With 158 beautiful acres, we are nestled in a bowl of mountains with stunning mountain views in all directions. Meadows, pastureland, and horticultural fields are interspersed with hardwood and evergreen forest, old orchards, stonewalls, seasonal streams, and an enormous variety of wildlife habitat. Walking and hiking places abound, and a magnificent, pure river with clear pools and waterfalls is just a few minutes’ walk down the road.
MEI is based on a small-scale diversified, organic, and biodynamically oriented farm with an acre-sized retreat garden and other herb and flower gardens, and 2 food producing greenhouses. We practice regenerative agriculture, carbon farming, and many other environmentally sustainable practices.
Main House Front Porch
The front porch of the main house has continued to be a wonderful gathering place with outstanding sunset views and surrounding terraced gardens with blossoms and berries that attract hummingbirds and bees. We serve meals from the adjoining big kitchen, and these can be enjoyed on the porch or taken on trays to the nearby Plum Grove, other outdoor settings. The porch is a great place to meet with others or enjoy a place to sit and read. There is also a good internet connection on the porch and a place to charge devices.
Metta Earth has many structures and spaces to support individuals and groups. The main house has a newly renovated, lovely commercial kitchen space, a dining area, a large, covered porch, a handicapped access bathroom, a yoga/program room, and selected rooms and suites for sleeping. We also have an outdoor pavilion for yoga and other gatherings, and a heritage barn with a barn loft. Please do keep in mind that Metta Earth is a farm based, country retreat center, rustic, yet clean, cared for, and colorful.
Outdoor Pavilion
We have a 20’ x 24’ outdoor, open structure for groups made from tree poles and covered with a golden colored canvas tarp. The ground is grassy and well maintained. This space can comfortably support 10-15 yoga mats or seating options in a big circle.
Heritage Barn Loft
Of all the structures and spaces at Metta Earth, the barn loft is one of our most favorite rooms. On the second floor of the heritage barn, this space is often used for drying herbs for teas. It can also be used for gatherings of about 10 or so people. We like to roll out a rug on the wooden, pine floor or use our sheepskins and handmade wool meditation rugs for comfortable sitting. There are two tall windows looking out over the south pasture that cast light on the wooden beams of the barn. This space shines with the soul and warmth of Earth.
Bring a bathing suit and gear for swims in the beautiful nearby New Haven River. You are welcome to walk anywhere on Metta Earth land. Or you may want to walk on the surrounding dirt roads, all with very minimal cars and great mountain views or along the river. We can give further directions and information about the region when you are here.
Our stays range from basic tent sites to Yurts and Canvas Tents. We have something for everyone.
We have four yurts nestled on a knoll among maples, beeches, balsam, and other trees. They each are positioned for a sense of privacy from the others and have little paths connecting them. They all are well loved and humble, beautiful, light filled circular spaces with a round dome skylight, lattice siding, windows with screens for summer use and in winter extra insulation provided by window quilts. Each yurt has a wood stove for colder weather. The yurts are furnished simply with various configurations of single and double beds, tables, chairs, shelving, and sheepskins or other floor rugs. At night a few of the paths are lit with solar lamps, so it is wise to bring a flashlight/headlamp as well. Beeswax candles provide inside night lighting. Some of the yurts have string, solar lights around the inside of the yurt walls.
We have 5 bell tents that are lovely, roundish shaped tents with a peak. Four of them are smaller, one-person tents, and one is larger for a couple or 2 people. We usually provide a mattress and pillow with organic bedding and a sheepskin rug, and a simple storage crate/table. It’s a good idea to bring a sleeping bag for extra warmth, especially in the potentially colder shoulder seasons in May and in September.
If you have a tent, insulated ground mat, and sleeping gear, we have many inspiring sites in the surrounding forest glades, meadows, and fields. Those who choose to camp have access to outdoor composting toilets, a hot water outside faucet for bucket bathing, and outdoor shower available in the warmer seasons. Camping requires a certain hardiness and adequate gear. Weather during the growing season (May – October) in the mountains of Vermont is unpredictable. Temperatures range from freezing temperatures at night in the spring and fall to gloriously warm days and even hot days.
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