Reconnect
A FARMER HEALTH & WELLBEING RETREAT
2025 dates
10 – 12 October – Port Macquarie, NSW – RETREAT FULL
14- 16 November – Yallingup, WA – SPACES AVAILABLE
We rely on farmers every day, three times a day.
It’s time to offer something back.
Farmers are the feeders of our communities. Communities are the foundations of our societies.
If we are to build a better future for society, the support for our foundation builders should be the first priority.”
Adam Curcio, RCS Australia
A sustainable agriculture is one which depletes neither the people nor the land
Wendell Berry
An offering for farmers to Reconnect...
As economic and environmental pressures continue to mount, Australian farmers face some of the most challenging roles in our communities. Extreme weather events and the relentless pressures of commodity pricing are taking a toll on our farmers mental health.
Aussie farmers are doing it tougher than ever before
Increasing extreme weather events
Increasing cost of & reliance on chemical Inputs
Changing landscape of land access and ownership
Deteriorating soil quality
Decreasing productivity and profitability
Social isolation, mental health & wellbeing challenges
RECONNECT is a unique retreat experience
Each year, Reconnect retreats invite farmers into a space of deep care and restoration—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Held in different locations across the country, these annual retreats follow a familiar format, offering land stewards the opportunity to slow down, tune in, and rediscover the purpose that brought them to the land.
While the retreats themselves are small and intimate by design, the ripple effect is anything but. Participants return home not only feeling recharged, but equipped with practical tools, grounded knowledge, and renewed perspective—ready to share what they’ve learned and strengthen the resilience of their own communities.
Importantly, the experience doesn’t end with the final day. Attendees are welcomed into an ongoing online space—a living ecosystem of connection, resource-sharing, and ongoing conversations that prioritise the wellbeing of our farmers.
Over three immersive days, the program weaves together regenerative approaches, mindfulness practices, functional movement, gut and nutritional health, and deep connection to Country. With space for rest and expert-led guidance, each retreat offers a chance for realignment—supporting participants to reconnect with themselves, their health, and their path forward.
In 2025, Farmer’s Footprint Australia will host two Reconnect retreats. These in-person gatherings are offered at no cost, and we encourage farmers seeking a pause, a reset, or simply a space to breathe, to apply.
What to expect
Farmers, you’re invited to step off the farm and into three days of restoration, reflection, and practical learning. This immersive retreat is designed to help you prioritise your physical and mental wellbeing, with guidance from experts in circadian health, breathwork, meditation, nutrition, and functional movement. With a small group of up to twenty participants, you’ll have space to tune in to your own needs, reconnect with your body, and take home tools to support long-term health and resilience—on and off the land.
Facilitation
We are honoured to be collaborating with Matthew Burke from Optimal Health Essentials, who will guide each retreat and curate the experience with care and expertise. With decades of experience across diverse health modalities, Matthew is one of Australia’s leading progressive health practitioners, known for his ability to distil complex wellness principles into grounded, actionable practices.
Accommodation
Retreat participants will stay in a mix of comfortable accommodation options, including twin-share rooms and shared cabins. We’ll do our best to honour preferences while creating a welcoming, restful environment for all
Food
Nourishment is a core part of the experience. Each day will feature thoughtfully prepared meals and snacks made with ingredients sourced from local, regenerative producers and chefs. The menu will be nutrient-dense, animal-based, and designed to support optimal wellbeing, with full consideration for dietary requirements.
Cost
Thanks to the generous support of our partners, there is no cost to attend the retreat, other than travel to and from the venue.
Are you a farmer? Apply for a space now
In a gesture of support, Reconnect is offered at no cost to the farmers. This retreat aims to uplift our land stewards by creating a space where they can rediscover their sense of purpose and reconnect with the reasons behind their vital work.
Contact us at to connect or learn about sponsoring these events gday@farmersfootprint.org.au