Nature as Teacher: Monthly Mindfulness at Crabtree Farms in Chattanooga

Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga • 1000 E 30th Street Chattanooga, TN 37407 is a working community farm and outdoor classroom in the heart of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Here, a monthly gathering called Nature-Based Mindfulness invites visitors and locals alike to slow down through simple guided meditation, mindful walking, and quiet reflection—indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. Sessions are led by Holli Richey, an eco-therapist and nature-based meditation practitioner who trained under mentors including Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield, and Susan Reviere of Atlanta Insight Meditation. Over roughly one hour, the group uses the farm’s teaching gardens, plant beds, and patches of open soil as anchors for attention: feeling the ground beneath your feet, listening to the wind in late-season grasses, and noting the small movements of pollinators and garden flora. The format is welcoming and accessible—no prior meditation experience is required—and gatherings operate on a donation basis to support Crabtree Farms. What makes this offering stand out is its plain but profound use of place. Rather than a lecture or studio retreat, practices are woven into the actual rhythms of the farm: seasonal planting cycles, brief walks along garden rows, and guided pauses beside compost piles and seedlings. That tactile relationship with plants and soil shifts mindfulness from a conceptual exercise to embodied attention, useful for anyone wanting a practical reset in an urban setting. Practical details: the practice lasts about one hour and is appropriate for ages 10 and up. Meet at Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga • 1000 E 30th Street Chattanooga, TN 37407. Bring a small bottle of water, weather-appropriate outerwear, and a light sitting mat or blanket if you prefer to sit on the ground. Classes are monthly and may move indoors when rain or cold weather makes outdoor practice impractical. Arrive ten minutes early to settle, sign in and orient to the meeting point; sessions begin promptly. Footwear can be sturdy walking shoes or comfortable sneakers—expect garden paths that may be uneven or muddy after rain. For quiet, leave headphones off and phone on silent; conversations before and after are encouraged; sessions prioritize stillness. Donations are accepted to sustain programming and the farm’s educational mission; no one is turned away for lack of funds. Families are welcome, and facilitators adapt prompts for teens. This program also functions as community care: it supports local food education and offers a steady, low-barrier way to build resilience and connection to place. If you have questions or need accessibility information, contact Chloe Watts at 423-493-9155 or [email protected]. Whether you are curious about mindfulness, rooted in gardening, or simply looking for a clear-headed pause between urban errands, this short, gentle practice turns the ordinary elements of a city farm into reliable teachers.