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Visiting Sofia
Sofia Community is a place for stillness, compassion, and stewardship. We strive to create a space for quiet, self reflection, meditation, yoga, renewal, art, and working with the earth. We allow limited visitors to come join us in these pursuits. Overnight Stays at the Farm - April through October only (Nov. through March is reserved for residents and is also too cold and snowy for camping.)
1. Pilgrim Program
For friends wishing to stay for one or multiple days and to enjoy the space and sanctuary of the lavender farm we offer the following options. This is for camping (Feel free to inquire about other housing options) and use of the property, the meditation temple, indoor and outdoor bathrooms, kitchen and library and also use of the kitchen and basic kitchen staples. Guests bring their own food.
Fees:
$80 a day + 1 hour work on the land a day
$60 a day + 2 hours work on the land a day
$40 a day + 3 hours work on the land a day
$5 a day + 20 hours of work on the land a week
$700 a month + 3 hours of work on the land a week
If you are interested in doing a more formal meditation retreat during this time please let us know. We will let you know about different pricing options. In the application form below please mark "other" for programs you're interested in.
2. Retreat and Recoup Program -
We accept a small amount of participants each year for our Retreat and Recoup Program. This is a by-donation (donate only if you have the means) program. This includes basic food and tent camping or other housing if we have it available.
This program is designed for two types of people. Either people wishing to do some kind of retreat or people who are going through a life transition and could use a little respite. This program is not for people who are temporarily homeless or in acute trauma or dealing with addiction.
If you are interested in applying for this program let us know and we can send you an application.
2. Residency Program
We award 4 residencies a year for artists, musicians, writers, and scholars who wish to have a break from their usual environment and to incorporate a contemplative component into their lives. This is offered at no cost and includes basic food and tent camping or other housing if we have it available as well as space to work. All Residency Program Participants join in the morning and evening meditations, work in the gardens for 1 hour a day and contribute to meal prep and clean up. All participants also enjoy the break from normal computer usuage as well as videos as stated below under computers and cell phones.
3. WWOOF
Please go to the WWOOF website and apply to this program through that site. - WWOOFusa.org
Housing Options:
This is a rustic environment and not for the faint of heart.
Sofia Community is a place for stillness, compassion, and stewardship. We strive to create a space for quiet, self reflection, meditation, yoga, renewal, art, and working with the earth. We allow limited visitors to come join us in these pursuits. Overnight Stays at the Farm - April through October only (Nov. through March is reserved for residents and is also too cold and snowy for camping.)
1. Pilgrim Program
For friends wishing to stay for one or multiple days and to enjoy the space and sanctuary of the lavender farm we offer the following options. This is for camping (Feel free to inquire about other housing options) and use of the property, the meditation temple, indoor and outdoor bathrooms, kitchen and library and also use of the kitchen and basic kitchen staples. Guests bring their own food.
Fees:
$80 a day + 1 hour work on the land a day
$60 a day + 2 hours work on the land a day
$40 a day + 3 hours work on the land a day
$5 a day + 20 hours of work on the land a week
$700 a month + 3 hours of work on the land a week
If you are interested in doing a more formal meditation retreat during this time please let us know. We will let you know about different pricing options. In the application form below please mark "other" for programs you're interested in.
2. Retreat and Recoup Program -
We accept a small amount of participants each year for our Retreat and Recoup Program. This is a by-donation (donate only if you have the means) program. This includes basic food and tent camping or other housing if we have it available.
This program is designed for two types of people. Either people wishing to do some kind of retreat or people who are going through a life transition and could use a little respite. This program is not for people who are temporarily homeless or in acute trauma or dealing with addiction.
If you are interested in applying for this program let us know and we can send you an application.
2. Residency Program
We award 4 residencies a year for artists, musicians, writers, and scholars who wish to have a break from their usual environment and to incorporate a contemplative component into their lives. This is offered at no cost and includes basic food and tent camping or other housing if we have it available as well as space to work. All Residency Program Participants join in the morning and evening meditations, work in the gardens for 1 hour a day and contribute to meal prep and clean up. All participants also enjoy the break from normal computer usuage as well as videos as stated below under computers and cell phones.
3. WWOOF
Please go to the WWOOF website and apply to this program through that site. - WWOOFusa.org
Housing Options:
This is a rustic environment and not for the faint of heart.
Yogi Cowboy Cabin
Yogi Cowboy Cabin is a gorgeous small two roomed cabin on the northern edge of the property. Presently it has no electricity or running water.
Sara Trailer
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Presently the Sara trailer has no running water or electricity. This is a vintage Apache style hard walled trailer with a shade cover and is in a more private part of the property.
Carol Trailer
Carol Trailer has canvas walls, a king size bed and basic electricity. No running water.
Camping
There are a number of places to pitch a tent and or to have your car next to your tent.
General Information that Might Be Helpful
Tobacco:
Because of a very potent plant virus found in tobacco products we ask that no tobacco of any kind come onto the property and if you are a tobacco user please refrain from using tobacco before you come and please wear clean clothes that you haven’t used tobacco in. We know this seems a bit odd but a number of small lavender farms have lost their entire farms because one person carried this virus onto their farms. The tobacco mosaic virus is particularly deadly to lavender plants. Thank you for taking this seriously.
Arrival:
Please arrive before 5pm. If this is unfeasible please plan on arriving the following day instead.
Food:
We are a vegetarian farm with occasional use of fish. If you are in the Pilgrim Program please plan to bring all of the food you'll need during your visit. (There are ample grocery stores in Prescott 20 miles away) We have basic staples of oils, condiments, grains, beans, etc, that you are welcome to.
Enjoying the Space:
We have a library, a little writing hut, and the meditation and yoga temple. Please feel free to use these spaces. Outside of formal meditation times the temple is open for you to use for meditation, yoga, dancing, resting or reading. Please enjoy yourself and use this beautiful land and space to refresh and rejuvenate your heart and mind. Both the temple and main house have heat and AC
Fragrances/ Perfumes/ Colognes:
Please refrain from wearing perfumes and strong fragranced deodorants while visiting us. Some of us have sensitivity to chemical fragrances. 100% pure natural plant essential oil fragrances are fine in small doses.
Dogs:
A number of our plants are culinary lavender and because the fields are not fenced off and because dogs love to pee and go to the bathroom on lavender bushes we ask sadly that you leave them at home. They have in the past also caused damage to things like thin drip tape and neighbors chickens. So sadly for us we are presently a dog-free farm. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Phone:
There is no cell service in our area, except through our wifi when you are within 50 feet of the router (aka the main house).
Computers and Cell Phones:
We ask that all computers and cell phone use be shut down by 8pm for the night. And we ask that you refrain from movies and entertainment videos (even just a few seconds long) while on the property. Educational and instructional videos are the exception for long term residents.
Also please consider severely curbing your cell phone use at the farm and consider only using it for essential communication and not for social media.
Our goal is to make this a sacred place and while we love movies and videos and social media the idea of having this land be a place where we refrain from that has had a surprisingly beneficial effect on our minds and hearts and so we ask you to please help us to keep this kind of sacredness here.
Meditation:
We do two short (10 mins) communal meditations at the farm and ask everyone staying here to join in this practice. There are opportunities for longer sits throughout the day, as you like.
Silence:
After the evening sit we are silent together until the morning sit. (excluding emergencies or any non emergency concerns or needs. i.e. please don't hesitate to break silence if you need any thing at all!) Please join us in this and enjoy the rare spaciousness of a little silent time together.
Weekly Schedule:
Feel free to inquire about the weekly schedule and upon your arrival we will also go over the seasonal meditation and meeting schedule with you.
Alcohol and Drugs:
We ask all visitors and residents to please refrain from all alcohol and drug use while on the property and to please not come onto the property if under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Quiet time and Alone Time:
Please be prepared to be self-entertained while here. Sofia/Skull Valley Lavender Farm is a wonderful place to read, journal, paint, walk, do yoga and meditate. Often we have to go into town for errands or to spend the night in town so you may be out here alone at times.
R.V.s: – We have a tight driveway that cannot fit most RVs. However we live on the edge of national forest where you are allowed to park RVs and camp. Just right down the road is an easily accessible area where people often pull in their RVs for a day or two.
Safety:
Currently the Sofia community is under construction to repair our old buildings. This means there are loose nails, boards and all kinds of dangerous hazards lying around. Please be forewarned and come here at your own risk and be careful as you work or visit here as sharp objects, uneven ground, loose wood, and general dangerous conditions are all around.
Please also note that bees, stinging insects, poisonous snakes, javelina and large cats are all found here.
For fires or emergencies dial 911
Hospital:
The closest hospital is Yavapai Regional Medical Center. Take a right out the drive way and take that all the way (3.5 miles) until it dead-ends onto the main paved road (Iron Spring Rd). Take a left and in about 15 miles you will see the hospital on the left at a major 4-way intersection.
Because of a very potent plant virus found in tobacco products we ask that no tobacco of any kind come onto the property and if you are a tobacco user please refrain from using tobacco before you come and please wear clean clothes that you haven’t used tobacco in. We know this seems a bit odd but a number of small lavender farms have lost their entire farms because one person carried this virus onto their farms. The tobacco mosaic virus is particularly deadly to lavender plants. Thank you for taking this seriously.
Arrival:
Please arrive before 5pm. If this is unfeasible please plan on arriving the following day instead.
Food:
We are a vegetarian farm with occasional use of fish. If you are in the Pilgrim Program please plan to bring all of the food you'll need during your visit. (There are ample grocery stores in Prescott 20 miles away) We have basic staples of oils, condiments, grains, beans, etc, that you are welcome to.
Enjoying the Space:
We have a library, a little writing hut, and the meditation and yoga temple. Please feel free to use these spaces. Outside of formal meditation times the temple is open for you to use for meditation, yoga, dancing, resting or reading. Please enjoy yourself and use this beautiful land and space to refresh and rejuvenate your heart and mind. Both the temple and main house have heat and AC
Fragrances/ Perfumes/ Colognes:
Please refrain from wearing perfumes and strong fragranced deodorants while visiting us. Some of us have sensitivity to chemical fragrances. 100% pure natural plant essential oil fragrances are fine in small doses.
Dogs:
A number of our plants are culinary lavender and because the fields are not fenced off and because dogs love to pee and go to the bathroom on lavender bushes we ask sadly that you leave them at home. They have in the past also caused damage to things like thin drip tape and neighbors chickens. So sadly for us we are presently a dog-free farm. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Phone:
There is no cell service in our area, except through our wifi when you are within 50 feet of the router (aka the main house).
Computers and Cell Phones:
We ask that all computers and cell phone use be shut down by 8pm for the night. And we ask that you refrain from movies and entertainment videos (even just a few seconds long) while on the property. Educational and instructional videos are the exception for long term residents.
Also please consider severely curbing your cell phone use at the farm and consider only using it for essential communication and not for social media.
Our goal is to make this a sacred place and while we love movies and videos and social media the idea of having this land be a place where we refrain from that has had a surprisingly beneficial effect on our minds and hearts and so we ask you to please help us to keep this kind of sacredness here.
Meditation:
We do two short (10 mins) communal meditations at the farm and ask everyone staying here to join in this practice. There are opportunities for longer sits throughout the day, as you like.
Silence:
After the evening sit we are silent together until the morning sit. (excluding emergencies or any non emergency concerns or needs. i.e. please don't hesitate to break silence if you need any thing at all!) Please join us in this and enjoy the rare spaciousness of a little silent time together.
Weekly Schedule:
Feel free to inquire about the weekly schedule and upon your arrival we will also go over the seasonal meditation and meeting schedule with you.
Alcohol and Drugs:
We ask all visitors and residents to please refrain from all alcohol and drug use while on the property and to please not come onto the property if under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Quiet time and Alone Time:
Please be prepared to be self-entertained while here. Sofia/Skull Valley Lavender Farm is a wonderful place to read, journal, paint, walk, do yoga and meditate. Often we have to go into town for errands or to spend the night in town so you may be out here alone at times.
R.V.s: – We have a tight driveway that cannot fit most RVs. However we live on the edge of national forest where you are allowed to park RVs and camp. Just right down the road is an easily accessible area where people often pull in their RVs for a day or two.
Safety:
Currently the Sofia community is under construction to repair our old buildings. This means there are loose nails, boards and all kinds of dangerous hazards lying around. Please be forewarned and come here at your own risk and be careful as you work or visit here as sharp objects, uneven ground, loose wood, and general dangerous conditions are all around.
Please also note that bees, stinging insects, poisonous snakes, javelina and large cats are all found here.
For fires or emergencies dial 911
Hospital:
The closest hospital is Yavapai Regional Medical Center. Take a right out the drive way and take that all the way (3.5 miles) until it dead-ends onto the main paved road (Iron Spring Rd). Take a left and in about 15 miles you will see the hospital on the left at a major 4-way intersection.
