Planning a team offsite is never a trivial matter, especially when you're a young and growing organization, driven by strong values you want to reflect not just in what you say, but in how you work together.
At Agrilife Studio, we wanted an offsite that truly reflected who we are, and, above all, one that would strengthen our team spirit, support our direction, and deepen our sense of shared purpose.
All that, in just 48 hours, and we made it happen! Here’s how we did it, plus a few tips along the way.
🎯 What if the secret ingredient was... the right support?
When you're planning an offsite and don’t want to carry the whole thing on your own, you need someone you can truly rely on.
That’s where Louise Plaquevent came in. She is the founder of Classes Vertes. She was our partner every step of the way: from planning and facilitation to logistics and on-site coordination. Louise designed a tailor-made offsite that truly reflected our DNA, while completely lifting the mental load off our team.
Her presence was discreet, smooth, and always spot-on. It’s rare to find someone so versatile, thoughtful, and genuinely engaged.
Now, let’s take a look back at the program.
🕗 Day 1 — taking the time to arrive differently
We met at 8:29 a.m. at Saint-Lazare station, headed for Caen. When we got off the train, there was no shuttle waiting, just bikes. A good hour of pedaling through the Normandy countryside took us to the Gonne Girls farm.
Our first shared feeling: the pace is shifting, we're taking new paths, and starting to breathe again.
“Going by train and bike was amazing—it’s low carbon, we got some fresh air, it was a bit unusual, had a touch of adventure, and the route was just perfect for it!”
🧑🌾 On arrival: immersion at the Gonne Girls farm
Gaëlle Bonnieux, co-founder of the farm, welcomed us with warmth and simplicity. It didn’t take long to set the tone: here, things are done with purpose, and shared with honesty. Regenerative agriculture takes many forms on the farm: living-soil vegetable growing, laying hens, even a boarding stable for horses. But what stood out most were the human stories, the bold choices, the clear direction, and the energy of the place. Gaëlle spoke to us openly about the realities of the job, the adjustments it takes, and the turns she’s had to make, always staying true to her values.
For a team like ours - one that puts farmers at the heart of its mission - it was a meaningful experience. We had a thousand questions, and the conversations were both inspiring and deeply grounded in reality.
Throughout the offsite, we also had the pleasure of enjoying their farm products - special shoutout to the freshly laid eggs and the delicate honey. A treat in every sense.
👉 Want to learn more about their story? head this way: website https://www.gonnegirls.farm/And if you’re ever in normandy, take the time to stop by, they’re well worth the visit!
“My favorite part? The hands-on activities at the farm and the conversations with the team about how they work.”
🧠 2:00 p.m. — team workshop session
The afternoon was dedicated to our first team workshop. The goal: to take a real step back and reflect on the first half of the year, both as a team and individually. Everyone came prepared with a structured recap of what they had learned, what they struggled with, and what they were proud of.
The conversations were honest and supportive. We realized just how much had been accomplished. This first workshop helped bring to light key issues around governance, strategic direction, and personal commitment.
🥬 Late afternoon — microgreens and tasting session
After a focused afternoon, it was time to get our hands dirty and enjoy the results. We explored the farm’s homegrown microgreens, which sparked everyone’s curiosity. The experience wrapped up with a group tasting session.
“I really enjoyed the microgreens workshop, especially being able to taste them right after.”
🔥 Evening — fire, downtime, and conversations
After a vegetarian dinner made with local products, we gathered outside around the fire, just for the joy of being together and sharing a moment beyond work and pressure. These informal, simple, and genuine moments are just as essential for building real team cohesion.
☀️ Day 2
Tuesday kicked off with a group wake-up session led by Louise Plaquevent, some light movement, good music, and lots of good vibes.
Next up was our second workshop: a session focused on our core values. The approach was fully collaborative, starting with personal reflection, followed by pair work, and ending in a group discussion. This moment felt especially meaningful, as our team is still young, having only come together in January. It was time to lay some solid foundations.
🏖️ Beach, picnic, and a bit of sport
We hopped back on our bikes and headed to the beach. Picnic on the sand, a quick nap for some, and a spontaneous game of volleyball for the more energetic
🥕 One last walk around the farm
We wrapped up on a high note with hands-on workshops: vegetable gardening, caring for laying hens, and practicing simple farm tasks. For some of us, it was a first; for others, a return to familiar gestures. We got our hands in the soil, learned by doing, and took the time to observe.
“I really enjoyed the hands-on activities—especially doing first, then learning through the explanations.”
😇 What really made the difference
This offsite reconnected us with our mission. It gave us the space to lay strong foundations for our team.
The key ingredients that made it work:
- a subtle balance of work, hands-on experience, and breathing space
- authentic moments, outside the usual framework
- meaningful, hands-on activities, grounded and generous
- an inspiring place, deeply rooted in real farming life
- and of course, the invaluable support of Louise
See you again next year!