A Flowering Haven in the Hills
Hopecote Farm is all about the flowers. When you walk through it during the growing season, over 100 varieties of blooms reach for the sunlight and spill into pathways, creating a riot of color and natural beauty in this half-acre regenerative farm.
Hopecote Farm is situated atop 35 rolling acres in Springfield, Tennessee, in the southern portion of the Red River watershed of the Cumberland River basin. The farm was started by husband and wife Amy Green and Isaac Balduf, along with Isaac’s aunt Michel Karas. It was meant to be a space of restoration and natural healing following the tumult of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Insects and birds buzz and flit around the flowers, which are grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Restoring soil health and reducing erosion to preserve clean waters is of the utmost importance to the Hopecote farmers, so they minimize land disturbance when growing their crops. They also plant trees in the old pasture on the furthest reaches of their property to stabilize soil and aid with rainwater infiltration.
River Friendly Farm Certified
In 2024, Hopecote Farm was certified as a River Friendly Farm by the Cumberland River Compact.
“We are dedicated to being a restorative space for our community & land,” said farm co-owner, Amy Green.
The River Friendly Farm certification program from the Cumberland River Compact recognizes farmers who are good stewards of water and land resources, connecting them with consumers who value a healthy environment. As a River Friendly Farm, Hopecote Farm’s agricultural practices ensure cleaner water, healthier soil, and a more resilient climate for the people and creatures living nearby.
Planting many different kinds of flowers together is a regenerative farming practice that invites a healthy and diverse mix of microbial life below ground– and beneficial wildlife above ground. Healthy soils and animal visitors are part of a balanced ecosystem that fosters clean water.
Isaac, Amy, and Michel have also opted to forgo synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Although an important resource for many farmers, these classes of chemicals can percolate into groundwater and run off of fields into streams. By using natural, regenerative management techniques, like cover cropping for fertility, Hopecote Farm is ensuring vibrant ecosystems and healthy waters surround their farm.
Amy and Isaac, who both work in the mental healthcare space, are as passionate about regenerative agriculture as they are about personal wellbeing. They are dedicated to curating unique spaces for healing and reflection on their farm, and hopefully soon, through art installations.
To enjoy their beautiful blooms, attend one of the U-pick events they host several times throughout the growing season. You can also sign up for a seasonal, biweekly Flower Subscription. The rolling hills of Robertson County’s farm country are a photographer’s delight; contact Amy, Isaac, and Michel about photoshoots on their farm.
Social media users can follow them on Facebook and Instagram, or stay “in bloom” with their newsletter.
