Farm

St. Benedict urges his followers to regard the tools of the monastery as the "vessels of the altar".  Benedictines have always had a close connection to the particular part of the earth that they occupy.  The Sisters of the House of Bread Monastery are close to the earth whether in the garden growing vegetables, communing with the wild animals that come to visit or walking the paths near their lakeside home.  The five acre monastery property is home to three llamas, deer, wild rabbits and some goldfish that live in the pond. The occasional raccoon comes to share the bounty of our orchard and gardens.   

The three llamas provide wool for spinning and manure which is sold to neighbors for their gardens.  The llamas are ambassadors of peace on their occasional walks through the neighborhood. 

      Many herbal plants, such as calendula, are grown on our farm.  These plants are dried or tinctured to be used in the many herbal products sold in our gift shop, Monastic Arts.  One of the Sisters is a chartered herbalist, but many help in this endeavor.