Harvests from Good Contrivance Farm

To live life as a writer—or any artist—one must develop thick skin. This lesson is one I learn repeatedly. Over the past year, nearly 50 of my poems have faced rejection. Some weeks, my inbox bombards me with multiple rejections daily, each a reminder that I’m not good enough. Occasionally, an editor will mention how close I came and encourage me for future submissions. Even less frequently, they’ll say Yes.

Artists must endure rejection and find motivation despite our culture placing minimal value on artistic endeavors. On top of that, we battle internal voices suggesting life would be easier if we gave up. Yet, we persevere. I persevere because living without writing is unimaginable. Writing itself is a pleasure, but I also seek connection with others and a sense of belonging within a creative community. My youthful dreams of literary stardom have transformed into more modest goals: writing the best poems I can and being an engaged member of the literary scene. So, when Ron Tanner asked me to join the board of Good Contrivance, I eagerly accepted.

Good Contrivance Farm, located in Reisterstown, Maryland, dates back to 1860 and was part of the same family for five generations until Ron Tanner and Jill Eicher took over in 2015. They purchased six of the remaining 106 acres and began transforming it into a writer’s retreat. Both former educators, they loved the idea of an educational non-profit and chose to focus on writers due to Tanner’s literary background and experiences at other retreats.

Writing retreats vary in comfort and style. I’ve attended one in a shack without electricity or plumbing and others housed in dorms, a converted church, and suburban homes. Friends have reported stays in French castles and Victorian homes with gourmet meals. Whether basic or luxurious, the shared goal is providing writers time and space to focus on their work.

Good Contrivance began as a decrepit place with many out-buildings, but Tanner, never one to shy away from massive rehabs, saw potential. Originally a city-dweller, Tanner was ready for a new project when they bought the farm. Saying, “I never expected to own a farm,” Tanner took on the challenge. They bought it “as is,” with no improvements since 1959, except for an apartment in the big barn where they lived the first year as Tanner made the farmhouse livable.

Since then, extensive work has been done on all structures and the land itself. The big barn apartment now accommodates two writers, while the hen house has been transformed into a solo writer’s cottage. These residencies, open to anyone identifying as a writer, can last from a minimum of two nights to a month. In addition to residencies, the farm offers a visiting writer series with workshops and craft talks in the barn.

The lightness you feel as you turn into the driveway of the property seems more a kind of magic than the simple arrival at a destination…

Elizabeth Hazen

The farm is a 30-minute drive from Baltimore City, yet arriving feels like entering a different world. As you turn into the driveway, a sense of lightness surrounds you. The lush landscape and renovated buildings greet you, along with Tanner and Eicher’s basset hounds and barn cats.

The farm hosts visiting authors four times a year between May and October. These authors, selected by the board, are experts with impressive credentials. Their stay includes time for their projects, and they offer day-long workshops and free craft talks, followed by a complimentary buffet dinner.

In early June, I attended a talk by Paul Lipsicky that fostered a warm atmosphere of creativity and goodwill. Among friends and new faces, I felt a sense of comradery reminiscent of waiting in line at concerts. The interaction was so positive that I eagerly anticipate future events at the farm.

Upcoming workshops feature Mauricio Kilwein Guevara in July, followed by Lia Purpura and Gwen Florio on the 2024 calendar. All affiliated with Good Contrivance are excited about the upcoming sessions.

We’re delighted to offer a haven for any and all writers in the Baltimore-Washington region and are gratified that we’re also drawing writers from across the country and even from Europe and Canada.

Ron Tanner

Managing a nonprofit demands as much dedication as the property’s renovation. Funding is a main challenge. Currently, Good Contrivance supports itself through rental fees for the retreat and schoolhouse. While we haven’t applied for grants yet, seeking funding is a priority to sustain and grow this remarkable organization.

Building an audience is another challenge. Running a literary nonprofit is filled with obstacles and requires the same commitment seen in small presses and indie bookstores. It’s a labor of love and commitment to the arts. For me, it’s a way to fight against that internal voice telling me to quit.

As Tanner puts it, “We’re delighted to offer a haven for any and all writers in the Baltimore-Washington region and are gratified that we’re also drawing writers from across the country and even from Europe and Canada. That, for me, is a dream come true.”