Interview by Abernathy Cochran interns and Gainesville High School seniors John Jessup and Anna Kate Embry
Meet Phil Bonelli! Phil owns Hopewell Church Farms in Gainesville and also is the Senior Vice President at Regions Bank. He is married to Lindsay and the couple has four children.
Hopewell Farms, located in northern Hall County, began operations in 2019 and has grass-fed beef, pigs, chicken and turkey for purchase. The farm firmly believes in being stewards of their land, animals and community. Hopewell Farms offers farm tours at 10 a.m. on Saturdays. For more information: www.hopewellfarmsga.com.
We want to thank Phil for spending time with us recently and telling us more about his life and love of Hall County.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
A: “I have four children; Caroline, Weston, Benny, and Libby. They are homeschooled. My wife is the Director of a Homeschool Co-op, where we attend called Classical Conversation in Gainesville. I actually help teach 8th grade…I teach debate and research and reasoning. My wife and I met at the University of Georgia.”
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
A: “I’m gonna say Antebellum, it is my favorite and they’re delightful. Also, beginning next month we’ll serve Hopewell Farms chicken breast and pork belly there. And then, The Stag – Chophouse & Club, they’re also starting to carry our chicken.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “I mean really, it was to be on Faces of Hall County. I love going to national parks. I love outdoor adventure, which is part of what I love about farming. I would like to go to Zion National Park.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
A: “I moved here right after college at the University of Georgia. It’s just the most welcoming place. I don’t know why anyone would want to live anywhere bigger…Also, you feel like you know everybody, but there’s tons of opportunity, too…it’s just the perfect size for me. And the community has been super supportive, which makes me love it even more.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
A: “Frank Norton. He’s a fairly eccentric individual. I appreciate the way he mixes business with a desire for excellence.”
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
A: “I don’t get to watch much but I’m going to say I’m still feeling the Christmas spirit, so it would be ‘The Polar Express.’”
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A: “Lindsay Michelle Bonelli.”
Q: What’s one or two of your favorite smells?
A: “Composting soil. Now this is crazy. All that manure and wood chips that I’m mixing up, I’m going spread that out there on the pasture…it’s the sweetest smell of composting organic metal. Then, I love pine trees. All of my soap and deodorant, is pine tree. And last, I love my wife’s sourdough bread, that’s the only flour that I eat. ”
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
A: “I’m going to say my buddy Jason. He’s one of my best pals and so he knows me so well. And since he knows me so well, I don’t wanna suck because he’s gonna know. He’s awesome, so be more like Jason.”
