Transform Loss Into Light | A Grief Retreat on the Farm

We invite you to spend a gentle, soul-restoring day on the farm—one devoted to tending to your grief and inviting lightness back into your life after the loss of a loved one. Through a series of heart-healing experiences, you’ll explore how peace and joy can coexist with sorrow, allowing both your light and your loved one’s light to shine through.

This retreat is lovingly created by grief companions and facilitators who have walked this path themselves. They feel deeply called to share the practices and perspectives that have helped them find meaning and healing through loss.

Limited to just 16 participants, this intimate gathering is for those seeking connection, comfort, and forward movement on their grief journey.

Please arrive for registration check in between 8:30AM and 9:00AM.

Throughout the day, you’ll experience a range of nourishing practices including:

• Grief Yoga®

• Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing & Nature Connection)

• Creative Expression & Journaling (a journal will be provided)

• Kintsugi: The Japanese Art of Mending with Gold

• Moments of Laughter and Lightness

  
  

Together, we’ll hold space for conversation, reflection, and connection—essential elements of healing among others who truly understand. A wholesome, nourishing lunch will be provided, and the day will close with a calming tea ceremony. You'll also have the opportunity to honor your loved one at our Memorial and Resource Table, a sacred space to celebrate their memory and gather tools to support your continued healing.

Retreat Details 📍

Exact location, directions, and health and participant waivers will be sent upon registration. Note that the private farm hosting us in located near Lake Mills, WI.

Early Bird Discount: Receive $20 off price if you register by August 1, 2025.

Registration closes Sept. 8, 2025.

Included with Registration:

• Morning coffee/tea

• Journal

• Nutritious lunch & snack

• Creative art project to take home

• Closing tea ceremony

What to Bring:

• Comfortable layers (we’ll move between indoor and outdoor spaces)

• Yoga mat or blanket (chairs available; all movement can be adapted to your needs)

• Full water bottle

• Rain gear (Forest Bathing will take place rain or shine; other events will move indoors if needed)

• Allergy medication if sensitive to insects or animals—you may meet goats, chickens, and a donkey!

• Please fill out these three required forms:

  Health Awareness Form

  Participant Agreement

• Yes, I'd Like My Loved One Included on the Memorial Table

We are able to again offer two scholarships this year. If the attendance fee is a hardship, please do contact us to discuss what we can provide for a discounted rate. Contact Michelle: michelle.shininglight@gmail.com

Your Grief Companions and Facilitators:

Co-Creator and Shinrin-Yoku Guide 

Kate Bast

Grief is a multifaceted and individualized experience. Kate finds that time spent with nature tends her grief best. She is a certifed Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, trained to guide people through nature connection experiences that embrace the felt sense of the moment. With our senses fully activated, it is in these moments that we find nature's healing and comfort. Kate completed her training and launched her practice, Shinrin-Yoku Madison, in 2019. She also is a Grief Support Specialist, a certification earned from UW-Madison Continuing Studies in 2023. Kate guides you to find calm, a balm, meaning and connection.

Co-Creator and Grief Yoga® Instructor

Michelle Kullmann

After losing her beloved 18-year-old son, Cade, in November 2021, Michelle has been turning her pain into purpose.  She started immediately with advocacy and awareness about fentanyl poisonings to help save lives from the same fate as her son. Michelle has evolved her passion to help others on their grief healing journey work through the pain of loss and experience joy in their lives again.  Michelle earned a Grief Support Specialist Certificate from UW-Madison Continuing Studies, completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Thailand, completed an additional 100-hour training in Grief Yoga®, achieved her Grief Educator Certification through David Kessler, holds a certificate as a Laughter Yoga Leader and is the owner of Shining Light Grief Support.  

Journaling Presenter

LaDonna Radel

LaDonna is earthly mom to Eric, and angel-mom to Spencer, forever 26. Spencer was taken by the opioid epidemic on October 6, 2016. LaDonna embraced journaling as a way of calming her mind and healing her heart. Her goal is to help others who have experienced great grief; sharing her experiences so that they may find their lost smile and joy once again. 

Location Host

Annette Kruschek

Annette is a mother to eight children and a wife to a husband of 26 years. Annette

resides on a hobby farm in Lake Mills, Wisconsin. Annette recently co-authored a book which

shares her personal story of losing a child at the young age of four. Annette’s hope is to bring

hope to the hopeless and inspire others to live a life that is meaningful no matter what the

circumstances.

Questions? Contact: Michelle: michellekthrives@gmail.com or (608) 438-7266

Kate: Shinrin.Yoku.Madison@gmail.com or (608) 347-7834