Frequently Asked Questions

_______________

We want you to arrive with nothing to figure out — only space to receive. This guide covers everything you need to know before your retreat at Hopecote Farm.

ARRIVAL & CHECK-IN

  • Please plan to arrive within your designated arrival window, which will be included in your pre-retreat confirmation email. Arriving on time allows your experience to begin exactly as planned — without rushing or waiting.

  • Yes. Complimentary parking is available on the property. You will receive directions and parking instructions in your pre-arrival email.

  • Simply come as you are. You will enter through the main door and a member of our team will greet you upon arrival and walk you through everything you need to know. Your schedule, your space, and your experience will all be ready for you.

  • Departure details will be included in your retreat schedule. We will give you ample time to gather yourself and transition gently back into your day

THE LAND

  • Hopecote Farm is a regenerative property — meaning we work with the land, not against it. Wildlife, natural habitats, and the rhythms of each season are deeply important to us. We ask that you move through the property with curiosity and respect, and enjoy the beauty of what is alive here. Hopecote Farm is a living, breathing ecosystem.

    What you see — from the leaves on the ground to the creatures in the grass — is part of what makes this place a place of healing.

  • In the spring, you may notice fallen leaves left on the ground through the last frost. This is intentional — we leave them undisturbed to protect overwintering bees, fireflies, and other creatures that are still resting or laying. It is part of how we care for the ecosystem that makes this place what it is.

  • Summer and fall are beautiful times on the farm, and a little preparation goes a long way. We recommend bringing — or using our on-site supply of — sunscreen and bug spray. As with any Tennessee property, you may occasionally encounter a snake on or near the trail. The snakes we have seen here are native species and serve as protectors of the land — they are not aggressive. That said, we always recommend giving any wildlife you encounter plenty of space and moving calmly past.

  • Winter at Hopecote is quiet and stunning. Dress warmly in layers, and enjoy the stillness of the land in its resting season.

  • Absolutely — we encourage it. Walking the land is one of the most grounding things you can do here. We recommend wearing shoes that are supportive and stable, with a sole that gives you a sense of where your feet are. The trail can be rocky and uneven in places, and the terrain shifts throughout the property. Sandals and flip-flops are not recommended for trail walking.

OUR ANIMALS

  • Hopecote Farm is home to pigs, chickens, ducks, a horse, a pony, and a barn cat — all of whom are part of our family. We care deeply about their health, their safety, and their wellbeing. We love that our guests get to meet them, and ask that you follow a few simple guidelines so that every interaction is safe and joyful for everyone.

    Our animals are not a petting zoo — they are living members of this farm. We trust you to treat them gently, and we are always here to help you do that well.

  • Yes. The pig, chicken, and duck area is located next to the garden, and you are welcome to walk through and spend time there freely. A few things to know:

    • Pigs are curious and social — they may nibble at your hands or clothing. This is normal behavior and not aggressive, but be aware.

    • Chickens may peck, especially if they think you have food.

    • Ducks tend to be on the shyer side and may keep their distance.

    • Please do not feed any of the animals at any time. Their diet is carefully managed for their health.

    If you would like to handle or pick up any of the animals and have not done so before, we ask that you let a team member show you how first. Improper handling — even with the best intentions — can injure or stress our animals. Our team is always happy to walk alongside you.

    You are welcome to join our team for morning or evening feedings anytime you wish — it is one of the quieter, more grounding moments on the farm. So much of caring for the earth begins with knowing where our food comes from, and our animals offer a beautiful entry point into that understanding, especially if farm life is new to you. Our farm-fresh eggs come directly from our chickens — and there is something quietly powerful about eating an egg from an animal you met that morning.

  • You are welcome to visit and pet the horse and pony from outside the fence — they enjoy the company. Please be aware that horses can nibble, nip, or be pushy, even when they are being friendly. If you choose to engage, you do so knowing that. For your safety, please do not enter the horse enclosure at any time without a team member present.

  • Yes — we have a barn cat who roams the property freely. She is friendly and may come to say hello on her own terms. Her name is Luna!

WHAT TO PACK

  • We take care of everything else — here is what to bring with you:

    • Comfortable, breathable clothing for yoga and movement (layers are always a good idea in Tennessee)

    • Supportive, closed-toe shoes or trail-friendly footwear for walking the property

    • Sandals or soft shoes for indoor relaxing

    • A light jacket or wrap — evenings can be cool, even in warmer months

    • Sunscreen and bug spray (we also have both available on site)

    • Any personal toiletries, medications, or wellness items you rely on daily

    • A journal, if writing feels good to you — this is a beautiful place to put thoughts to paper

    • For overnight stays: comfortable sleepwear and anything that helps you rest well

  • We gently encourage you to leave work behind — including the mental list of everything that will be waiting when you get back. Your phone is welcome, and we trust you to use your own judgment about how much you want to engage with it. Many guests find that stepping back from screens deepens their experience here significantly.

YOUR EXPERIENCE

  • Your personalized retreat schedule will be sent to you by email one week before your arrival, along with a packing list and FAQs to review at your leisure. Everything has been designed with your intake form responses in mind, so your experience is built around you specifically — not a general guest, but you. If you have any questions once you have received your schedule, please call or email our team and we will be happy to support you!

  • All meals are prepared with locally sourced, organically grown ingredients by Moringa Tree. When you complete your intake form, please share any allergies, intolerances, or dietary preferences — we will make sure every meal reflects them. If anything changes before your arrival, reach out to us and we will adjust.

  • Please note any injuries, chronic conditions, or physical limitations on your intake form before you arrive. Our yoga and bodywork providers will be informed in advance so that every movement-based experience is adapted to meet you where you are. There is no pushing through anything here.

  • We understand that life happens. Cancellations made more than 30 days before your retreat will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. For cancellations within 30 days of your retreat date: 75% of the retreat investment is retained by the facility, and 25% will be returned to you. Full details are included in your booking confirmation.

  • We have a dedicated area on the property where you are welcome to check messages, return calls, or connect with the outside world as needed. Outside of that space, we ask that you keep your phone tucked away during your time here.

    This is not a rule for the sake of a rule — it is an invitation. Most of us instinctively reach for our phones the moment we have a quiet moment. We scroll, refresh, and fill space before we ever have a chance to actually feel the stillness. Here, we are asking you to try something different.

    True rest — the kind that actually restores your nervous system and helps your hormones regulate — requires your brain to slow down and your body to feel safe doing nothing. That can feel uncomfortable at first, especially if it has been a long time since you have simply sat with yourself without a screen. You may not even know what to do with the quiet. That is okay. That discomfort is actually the beginning of the reset.

    If you find yourself at a loss, we have you covered. There is a library upstairs, a quiet sitting room with a fountain, natural light, and plants, hiking trails, the garden, the animals, and the land all around you. Or you can simply sit in the stillness and let it do what it does. You do not have to fill every moment. You do not have to be on all the time — and in fact, your body is quietly asking you not to be.

  • Hopecote Farm is a sober property. We do not serve alcohol, and we ask that you do not bring anything that would alter your state during your stay.

    This is intentional — and it is part of the experience itself.

    Alcohol can be wonderful in the right context, but it also disrupts the body's natural detox pathways, interferes with hormone regulation, and affects the quality of sleep and recovery. If your nervous system is already running on empty, alcohol adds to the load rather than lifting it. Here, we want your body to have every possible advantage in resetting.

    We are not asking you to give up anything permanently. We are simply asking for this window of time to be fully yours — unaltered, unfiltered, and grounded. What you may find is that the clarity, the rest, and the way your body feels by the end of your stay is more nourishing than anything in a glass could be.

    Let us help you find your way back to yourself. The grounded version of you has been there all along.