Fern Creek Farm Retreat

Fern Creek guests enter a captivating peace-filled space (a separate apartment in the lower level of our home) surrounded by forests and gardens where all kinds of life flourish. Take a walk in the woods or on the country roads that wind around the hills in our neighborhood. In response to COVID, we've changed a few things (e.g. enhanced our cleaning protocol, spacing guests, opening for longer stays). Details about that below. We are a zero energy solar powered small farm on five acres, which includes a forest of evergreen, maple, and oak, nearly two acres of attractively designed vegetable gardens, orchards, and berry fields, and a charming hen house and an even more charming goat barn and yard, (home to our two Nigerian Dwarf goats, Clara and Sophie, and Sophie's two baby boys, who will be with us until early May). Fresh fresh fruit, vegetables, and eggs from Fern Creek can be purchased in the Fern Creek Market (adjacent to the apartment) as seasonally available, along with a variety of small batch preserved items, our own Sageworks Soapery goat milk soaps, fair trade organic chocolate (made in the NW) and other locally produced snacks. (The small bars in the bathroom are some of our goat milk soaps, which you are encouraged to take with you when you leave). Guests stay in a 1250 square-foot apartment in the lower level of our home. It has a separate entrance, private courtyard, 9-foot ceilings and good natural light. Unique features add interest to the space, like the kitchen and bath cabinets built from reclaimed lumber from a barn in Gaston. French doors off the master bedroom (king bed) lead to a private patio. The second bedroom, the quietest room in the apartment, houses a queen bed. A Jack-n-Jill bathroom has doors separating three rooms (sink & toilet/shower/sink) making the bathroom feel more like 1 1/2 or 2. The open design kitchen, dining room, and living room make you feel like you’ve entered a place with room to breathe. Stay three nights or seven and rest in the beauty and quiet of this small working farm. Homemade cookies (Mark makes famously popular Ranger Cookies) will be on the table when you arrive along with a complimentary bottle of local wine for guests staying three nights or more. The apartment includes a private courtyard with a hot tub, flat-screen TV, wireless Internet, ironing and bath amenities. Organic, fair trade coffee and tea, organic oats, brown sugar and dried fruit are stocked in the fully equipped kitchen, along with our own organically grown popcorn and an old fashion stove-top popper. We grow our food sustainably, and solar panels supply all of our electricity. Our goal is to live as gently as we can and to that end cleaning supplies and bath amenities are Earth-friendly. Guests are welcome and encouraged to walk through the forest, check out the orchard and gardens, and sit in the gazebo down by the creek. We do ask that you stay out of the chicken house and, until COVID is better understood, visit the goats from your side of the fence (and refrain from exploring their barn or the Prayer Cabin above it). Mark and I live in a separate space upstairs, so you’ll hear us patter around when we’re home, and some evenings the smell of our homegrown popcorn may waft downstairs. While we maintain a minimum of 27 hours airing time between guests, when stays are separated by less than 72 hours our enhanced cleaning routine involves following our regular cleaning with disinfecting frequently touched surfaces (e.g. light switches, door knobs, stove and cabinet knobs, faucets), rotating and airing out sofa and bed pillows and opening windows. These will be in effect until further notice. Add-ons to make your stay memorable and/or to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries Tête-à-tête in the Woods Enjoy the tranquility of the Fern Creek forest with a bottle of local wine and a light picnic including cheeses, crackers, nuts, dried (or fresh) fruits, chocolate, and sparkling water. Choose the gazebo around the fire pit during cool or rainy afternoons or evenings (available year round) or the treehouse patio on warmer afternoons and evenings between late May and September. We set it up, escort you there, and clean up afterwards. $160 for 2-4 guests. A Welcome Basket: 1) Simply Unwind Basket includes a bottle of local Pinot Noir, Rose Pinot, or Chardonnay (your choice) and assorted fair trade organic chocolate. $50 2) All Things Local Basket includes the above plus roasted hazelnuts, seasonal fruit and vegetables, and a jar of Fern Creek jam. (Fern Creek produce when available). $70 3) Fern Creek Farm Breakfast Basket includes 1/2 dozen Fern Creek eggs, Fern Creek homemade pancake mix, a bottle of Fern Creek Berry Syrup, potatoes & veggies, herb bundle and fruit. (Fern Creek produce when available). $60 4) NW Picnic Basket includes sparkling water, cheeses, hummus, crackers, roasted hazelnuts, Deviled eggs from Fern Creek, veggy sticks and fruit (Fern Creek produce when available), and homemade cookies. $75. Book in advance. Not all offerings always available. Payment can be arranged once your order is confirmed.