The Soil and The Seed Project’s SHEPHERDS TREE is a 3-day retreat May 15-17, 2025, near Harrisonburg, VA, and a year-long cohort for church leaders ministering to children and supporting parents and caregivers in cultivating children’s faith.

The Shepherds Tree (boscia albitrunca, commonly known as the shepherd tree or shepherd's tree) is a South African tree from the caper family known for having the deepest known root structure of any plant. It is an evergreen desert tree, providing shade and forage for any number of migratory animals as they pass beneath its branches. This image is a powerful symbol of what we hope the SHEPHERDS TREE retreat and cohort will be for those serving the youngest members of our congregations and faith communities: rest, rejuvenation, and new resources for the continued journey.

Hosted by The Soil and The Seed Project in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the SHEPHERDS TREE retreat features music, times of worship, rest, input sessions, and opportunities to begin building relationships between the members of the cohort.

The year-long SHEPHERDS TREE cohort includes monthly meetings via video call, access to the resources and expertise of fellow cohort members and a cohort mentor/guide, and training and resources from The Soil and The Seed Project staff. 

Thanks to funding from Lilly Endowment Inc., registration—including both retreat weekend and yearlong cohort experience—is free. Our hope is that anyone who wishes to can—and will—come to be a part of the time together to kick off the yearlong cohort experience.  

THERE ARE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SPOTS, and the application for 2025 is now closed. Please check back early in 2026, if you are interested in being a part of the next one.