The Farm EcoHostel
184 Schoolhouse Rd, Summertown, TN 38483-8001
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About
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4.7
Cleanliness
4.0
Service
4.0
Value
4.0
Our rustic EcoHostel is located within the center of The Farm, one of the nation's most successful intentional communities. It is in the heart of the Ecovillage Training Center, and home to Gaia University. The two dormitories, three private bedrooms, one cabin and a campground provide a rustic but comfortable lodging experience in keeping with The Farm's historic character. Our main building has a communal kitchen space where guests are welcome to cook and store their foods. We have many naturally built buildings throughout the Ecovillage Training Center that guests are welcome to explore and enjoy. We also have an Organic Garden and a strawbale greenhouse on site, and the Eco-Bookstore with an interesting variety of genres and titles. The Farm offers a beautiful swimming hole, disc golf course, and Farm Store with many organic food options. Come and live The Farm life with us!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Beach
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Airport transportation
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Wifi
Meeting rooms
Non-smoking hotel
Self-serve laundry
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Non-smoking rooms
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184 Schoolhouse Rd, Summertown, TN 38483-8001
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The only problem I had was my cell phone And Internet didn't work as this is in the country. Very peaceful and quiet with lots of quirky hippy And Eco living history. You can rent your own cabin space or you can let together in the big house and communal living
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Date of stay: July 2019Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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I came to the Farm to potentially join the community, but I realized within three days that most of the people living there were distant and cold. I arrived the second week in July and was repeatedly bitten by mosquitoes, no-see-ums, chiggers, and ticks. The house also has a rodent that ate through the package of my trail mix. When I told the manager, she said, "At least it's not a rat!" The first night I was surprised to find that the handful of residents at the ecovillage regularly disappear without a word. I was left in this big spooky house by myself not knowing where anyone else was. The place isn't staffed regularly so guests often have to hunt someone down to pay their bill and day visitors usually find the place deserted with no guide maps or signs on the property to show them where to walk. The upstairs of the hostel/farmhouse has visible signs of water intrusion and I developed a cough from sleeping in my moldy room. The water pipes in the shower leaked inside the walls and wet the stairs below it whenever someone used it. I came to the ecohostel on a work exchange in which I was required to work three hours a day plus pay $5 a day for a dorm room. I was given the dirtiest jobs on the place in exchange for $5 an hour towards my room cost. When I asked for something more creative, the task was snatched away from me before completion and I was told to go back to cleaning out storage rooms. I saw no evidence of any training going on at the "Ecovillage Training Center" during my stay. The only thing I learned there was how mean people can be at the Farm. These psychos even ran off three guests one hour before sunset because "no one was going to be around the next day" (because the residents were all going to Nashville to view the eclipse). The guests had arrived three days earlier especially to view the eclipse from the Farm, but were sent packing, without warning, as soon as they'd finished eating dinner the night before the event. What?!…
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Date of stay: July 2017Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
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Room Tip: Don't expect much.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Cool place. I've stayed there two times and visited one other time and I've always met interesting people here. It's a great place to relax or get involved in gardening/natural building type stuff. Laura, the girl who has taken over running the EcoHostel is doing a great job of improving the place. I've been to a lot of hostels around the world and this is one of the rare, cool rural hostels. I would say that it's most similar to Hostel In The Hostel in Brunswick, GA.
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Date of stay: May 2016Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
This was great, myself and a friend signed up for the photovoltaics workshop...we spent several nights in the Hippitat...this is a small hut made of earthen materials and recycled materials...like glass bottles and cobb. EVERYONE was welcoming and informative...we will definitely go back for other workshops and family fun...I plan to bring my wife and child along next time.
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Date of stay: June 2016Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Loved stopping by the Farm for two nights on my cross country road trip and experiencing a taste of this historic intentional community. Everyone I met was very welcoming and friendly and it was fun to explore the property on a borrowed bike (thanks again, Laura!).
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Date of stay: August 2015Trip type: Traveled solo
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Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Laura L, Manager at The Farm EcoHostel
Responded Sep 5, 2015
Thanks for your review, Aliza! It was a pleasure having you - thanks for your help with the wholeo dome! :)
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The Farm! If you've heard of it from it's 70's heyday or have an interest in intentional community you definitely must visit! Just outside of the Eco-Hostel are some of the original old school busses that hippies used in 1971 to drive from San Francisco to Tennessee when they founded the community here. They converted the busses into makeshift homes & they still stand today much in the condition that I imagine they were back then. The Farm hosts interns and workshops on Permaculture, green building techniques, etc. which I attended while there--I can say the cob building workshop led by Spiral Ridge Permaculture people was awesome, we built an oven & bench for The Farm's school. Camping there was extremely reasonably priced, comfortable, and we had use of the communal hostel kitchen and bathrooms which were well-kept. The Farm has its own small grocery store open every day which made it simple to access food to cook on our own. The permaculture gardening ethic employed meant bushes everywhere with edible fruits, highbush blueberries, pears etc, right outside the front door of the Eco-Hostel. Outdoor had solar heated showers with rain catchment systems and composting toilets, sinks had running water from the catchment. Greywater systems were in place to treat hand-washing water coming out of the toilet/shower units. A large building on-site was still in progress, used as a teaching tool for round pole, straw bale, & cob construction & green roofs...really neat to walk through. The Farm also has a "swimming hole" with a nice beach surrounded by woods that you should definitely check out in warm weather--beautiful, I believe spring-fed as it was chilly water even in August. A great treat after getting muddy & sweaty building with cob all day. My friend & I attended the Sunday morning meditation that The Farm hosts each week which was a great opportunity to talk to members & learn more about The Farm's past & present. Wish we had a little more time to check out the Farm's world-renowned Midwifery Center. Great trip, everyone we met was very nice. Quiet, slow-paced living. People looking to live in a way to better the planet. Everyone we met was very kind. I'd definitely go back to stay, attend other workshops, visit people we met.…
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2015Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Laura L, Manager at The Farm EcoHostel
Responded Aug 30, 2015
Thanks so much for the great review! We are so happy you enjoyed your stay, and hope you'll come back for another :)
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I had planned to only stay one night but was so happy I ended up being there for three. I was only traveling through but this ecohostel would be an awesome place to stay while attending a workshop or course at the ecovillage. I chose to rent the earthen cabin that is located at the ecovillage, directly behind the eco hostel. The cabin was perfect for my needs as it was simple, clean, and provided me with the quiet space I was wanting. It is a short walk (about 100 feet) to the door of the hostel where you have access to the shared kitchen, bathroom (hot running water) and common hang-out spaces. The shared space to be very welcoming and the overall feel of the ecovillage to be relaxed. The kitchen is well stocked and the farm store on the property is a good option for buying extra things you need. The internet works well in the hostel but the phone service is a little sparse depending on your service. The inn keeper (Laura) was very helpful and even came to the gate to let me in after hours. She was always available if I had a question and was pleasant to converse with. Jason (the grounds keeper/resourcerer) was equally as friendly and a wealth of knowledge. If you go exploring The Farm you will come across wonderful people who can tell you amazing life stories and inspire you to live you dreams. Handy to have with you: A head lamp…
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2015Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Laura L, Manager at The Farm EcoHostel
Responded Aug 30, 2015
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We were so happy to have you here, and can't wait until next time :)
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LOCATION
United StatesTennesseeSummertown
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about The Farm EcoHostel
Which popular attractions are close to The Farm EcoHostel?
Nearby attractions include The Farm (0.9 miles), Stillhouse Hollow Falls (3.4 miles), and The Tennessee Tardis (2.0 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at The Farm EcoHostel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and free parking.
What are some restaurants close to The Farm EcoHostel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Dawn's Family Deli, Sonic Drive-In, and Subway.
Are there opportunities to exercise at The Farm EcoHostel?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does The Farm EcoHostel have airport transportation?
Yes, The Farm EcoHostel offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does The Farm EcoHostel offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers meeting rooms, a banquet room, and conference facilities.
Are there any historical sites close to The Farm EcoHostel?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Meriwether Lewis Park and Monument (7.7 miles).
Is The Farm EcoHostel accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.