Eighteen months after our first Agri-Tourist Podcast conversation, in Episode 82, I sat down again with John and Emma Hoel of Peacefield Farm Sanctuary—and it felt like reconnecting with old friends who had lived an entire chapter of life in between.
In that year and a half, Peacefield didn’t just grow. It deepened—adding a baby to the human family, welcoming new rescued animals, expanding community programming, and refining what it truly means to be a sanctuary for both animals and people.
A New Kind of Growth: Family, in Every Sense
Since our last interview, the Hoels welcomed their daughter, Juliet—a joyful and unexpected addition that John describes as “a Mini Emma.” Parenthood has woven itself naturally into sanctuary life, blending baby monitors with barn chores and reminding us that Peacefield is not just a nonprofit—it’s a living, breathing family ecosystem.
Today, Peacefield is home to around 50 animals, from chickens and turkeys to cows, sheep, and now two donkeys. Add John’s parents—who relocated from Minneapolis and built a small home on the property—and Peacefield has become truly multigenerational.
John’s father brings quiet devotion and meticulous animal care. His mother offers warmth, storytelling, tours, and vegan baking that greets every Airbnb guest. Purpose didn’t end with retirement—it found a new home.
Country Calm Meets College Energy
Peacefield sits just outside Gainesville, minutes from the University of Florida. That proximity has shaped Peacefield’s rhythm in powerful ways.
When students return to campus:
- Sunday yoga on the farm fills up
- Fraternities, sororities, and honor societies arrive for volunteer days
- Ethics, journalism, and veterinary students engage with sanctuary life firsthand
Students don’t just log volunteer hours—they pull weeds, meet cows, hear rescue stories, and leave with a lived understanding of compassion. Many return later for yoga, cooking classes, or simply to reconnect with the animals.
For future veterinarians especially, Peacefield offers something rare: the chance to care for animals without productivity expectations—meeting cows whose worth is inherent, not transactional.
Events That Create Belonging
At Peacefield, agri-tourism isn’t about spectacle. It’s about belonging.
Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck
Held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, this event has become a refuge for people navigating meat-centered holidays elsewhere. With 50–60 attendees and more food than imaginable, it’s “Thanksgiving on steroids”—and judgment-free.
Holiday Cookie Exchange
John calls it his favorite event of the year. After the holidays but before the New Year, people gather to share vegan desserts—matcha cookies, homemade ice cream sandwiches, donuts, and globally inspired treats. It’s joyful, grounding, and intentionally free.
These gatherings reinforce a core truth John shared:
A sanctuary is not just a place for rescued animals—it’s often a sanctuary for humans, too.
The Airbnb That Funds the Mission
Peacefield’s on-site Airbnb remains one of its most effective sustainability tools. Most weekends are booked—especially during University of Florida graduations, football games, and campus events.
Guests don’t need to be vegan—but while on the property, animal products aren’t allowed. Not from judgment, but from respect. As John explains, “It would be strange to grill burgers in front of rescued cows.”
They’ve also added:
- An RV hookup site (for guests with their own RVs)
- Long-term stays lasting weeks or months
Expansion is possible—tiny homes or additional units would likely thrive—but Peacefield intentionally stays small. No salaries. No staff. Donations go directly to animal care. Growth is thoughtful, not reactive.
Plant-Based Cooking Classes: Small Scale, Huge Impact
Among everything Peacefield offers, plant-based cooking classes may be the most transformative.
Limited to 10–20 people and held inside the Hoels’ home, these 2–3 hour classes focus on real-life meals—the foods John and Emma actually eat. Attendees cook, taste, ask questions, and talk about ingredients, health, and daily habits.
Each class opens with a clip from The Game Changers, setting an energizing tone before hands-on cooking begins.
John shared that entire families—and even couples—have gone vegan after attending. Others leave simply feeling empowered, connected, and inspired.
As we discussed on the podcast, these classes do more than teach cooking:
- They combat loneliness
- They rebuild shared meals
- They create community in a disconnected world
The Hardest Part: Loving Through Uncertainty
Seven years into sanctuary life, the biggest challenge hasn’t been weather or finances—it’s constant problem-solving.
A broken well pump. A fallen tree. A sudden illness. An Airbnb check-in with no water on a Sunday night.
John describes the stress vividly—but also the growth:
That pressure is a privilege.
Each crisis builds skill, resilience, and gratitude. Predictability may feel comfortable, but it’s challenge that sharpens purpose.
For Emma, the hardest moments come when animals are sick—especially elderly ones who don’t understand that treatment is meant to help. The loss of Eloise, a beloved sheep who lived to an estimated 14 years (well beyond average), was heartbreaking—but also a gift.
Eloise aged safely, peacefully, surrounded by friends and open pasture. Not every animal gets that ending.
Andre and Charlotte: A Donkey Love Story
One of Peacefield’s most powerful updates is the arrival of Andre, an elderly donkey rescued from neglect and paired with Charlotte, their resident mini donkey.
Andre arrived fearful, traumatized, and unable to tolerate hoof care—critical for donkey health. Through months of clicker training, patience, and trust-building, Emma taught him to lift his feet willingly. Today, Andre stands calmly for the farrier and wears protective leggings to prevent painful fly bites.
Charlotte? She fell in love instantly—and now bosses Andre around daily.
Their bond highlights a lesser-known truth: donkeys need other donkeys. Companionship isn’t a luxury—it’s essential to their wellbeing.
Weather, Preparedness, and Adaptation
Florida’s extremes bring unique challenges:
- Summer heat
- Sudden freezes
- Hurricane uncertainty
Peacefield installed a Tesla Powerwall to keep water pumps running during outages—critical for animal survival. Contrary to instinct, large animals like cows are often safest outside during storms, relying on natural instincts rather than enclosed barns.
From heaters in chicken coops to open shelters in pastures, adaptation is constant.
Looking Ahead: More of What Works
Peacefield’s future isn’t about scaling up—it’s about doubling down on what already works:
- More cooking classes
- More community gatherings
- More university engagement
- Kids’ programs and summer tours
As John reflected, seeing the sanctuary through visitors’ eyes is the greatest reminder of all:
This is a very special place—and we’re lucky to be here.
Why Peacefield Matters
Peacefield represents the future of agri-tourism:
- Experience over entertainment
- Education through connection
- Sustainability without burnout
- Compassion without judgment
It’s proof that farms can nurture empathy, heal loneliness, and create lasting change—one shared meal, one rescued animal, one visitor at a time.
Interested in visiting, volunteering, or supporting Peacefield Farm Sanctuary?
Whether you come for yoga, a cooking class, or a quiet stay overlooking the pastures, you’ll leave with more than memories—you’ll leave connected.
