About Holbrook Farms
Our Story
At Holbrook Farms, we are dedicated to supporting military Survivors – those who have lost a family member in military service – through fully funded wellness retreats. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to serve those who have sacrificed so much by providing a space for healing, connection, and renewal.
Founded with the belief that no Survivor should walk their journey alone, Holbrook Farms continues to be a beacon of support and healing for families of the fallen
Our Mission
To offer wellness retreats that serve military Survivors, helping them find rest, support, and hope.
Our Vision
To provide a peaceful setting and personal community where military Survivors can restore balance, connect with nature, and ensure they are never alone.
Our Work
Survivors of Heroes Retreats are held at Holbrook Farms in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, offering spouses and siblings of fallen military a fully funded, immersive healing experience.
How It Works:
- $700 – Covers airfare for a Survivor to attend a retreat.
- $1,200 – Helps cover the cost of food, ensuring nourishing meals for everyone throughout the retreat.
- $1,500 – Covers all costs for one participant to attend the retreat.
- $5,500 – Covers the cost of property rental for the retreat.
- $18,000 – Sponsors an entire weekend retreat experience for Gold Star spouses and families.
Every donation, whether financial or service-based, empowers Survivors on their healing journey.
A Note from the Executive Director
Hello Holbrook Farms Family!
I am honored to serve in the ED position after seeing firsthand the impact Holbrook Farms has on our guests. As a military widow, Holbrook filled a need I didn’t know I had—to connect with a community of women who deeply understood what I was going through.
Every one of our retreat guests has a different story, different circumstances, different successes and different challenges. But once we walk through that door, we become part of the Holbrook family. The walls come down and bonds are built. Strangers become sisters. Stories are shared and wounds are healed.
Thank you to everyone who has shared in our journey so far. Every dollar donated, every meal prepared, every weed pulled and floor swept matters. Your commitment fuels our mission and helps us create meaningful change. Together we are making a difference, and I am grateful to have you on this journey with us.
Thank you for your continued support.
Best,
Sarah Merwin
Executive Director, Holbrook Farms
Transparency & Accountability
At Holbrook Farms, we are dedicated to financial transparency and accountability to ensure that every dollar donated directly supports Families of the Fallen. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we uphold the highest standards in financial management, ensuring that Survivor retreats remain fully funded and accessible to those who need them most.
85%
of funds go directly to Survivor retreat programs, including lodging, wellness activities, and travel expenses.
10%
supports operational costs, ensuring program sustainability.
5%
is allocated to outreach and fundraising efforts to expand our impact.
We are grateful for the trust our donors, sponsors, and volunteers place in us, and we remain committed to using resources ethically and effectively to support military Survivors.
News
WDAY | Fargo-Moorhead
WDAY | Fargo-Moorhead
WDAY | Fargo-Moorhead
WDAY | Fargo-Moorhead
WDAY | Fargo-Moorhead 
Every $1 Invested in Healing Creates a Lifetime of Impact
Your support provides grief recovery, emotional support, and life-changing retreats for Families of the Fallen.
- 100% of retreat costs covered for every participant
- Over 200 families served and counting
- Survivors leave feeling empowered and renewed
