Would you like to try your hand at organic farming? The Sisters of Charity of New York are offering a one-week opportunity to do so in July at their Sisters Hill Farm in north Dutchess County, NY.
This new program is called Earth Connections. It runs from Saturday, July 24 through Saturday, July 31. Room and board (meals) are provided. A day trip to New York City will be part of the experience. Volunteers are responsible for any travel expenses getting to and from the farm.
 Farmer Dave (at right) with apprentices
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If you’re chosen from applicants, you’ll work side-by-side with farmer Dave Hambleton and his two apprentices – planting, weeding and harvesting. In an average year, these three harvest 60,000 pounds of produce from five acres.
You’ll come away with a greater appreciation for the sacredness of the earth and learn about the values that may shape our planet’s future.
Volunteer qualifications
Who can apply for Earth Connections? Men and women over the age of 18 are eligible. No previous farm experience is necessary to be considered, although a strong interest in / appreciation for organic farming is expected. You should be in good physical condition, able to bend, kneel, lift and work outside in the fields in the heat of a July day. You must be self-motivated, reliable and adaptable, and be ready, willing and able to get up early and get your hands dirty.
 Sr. Mary Ann Garisto, SC
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You’ll live on the farm and take meals, and share reflections each evening on the day’s events, with two nuns who are Earth Connections Consultants, including the farm’s founder, Sr. Mary Ann Garisto, SC, the Director of Ecological / Global Concerns for Sisters of Charity of New York.
Your week-long, hands-on experience at our organic farm will show you another way of being in relation to the earth. You’ll learn:
- more about a way of living that values interdependence and the sacredness of the earth
- to pay more attention to sustainable living and the food you eat
- about the values that may shape our planet’s future
About the farm
Sisters Hill Farm is just one of the Congregation’s ecological ministries. The farm’s mission is "to grow healthy food which nurtures bodies, spirits, communities and the earth." It provides its 200 shareholders with nutritious, chemical-free, organic food at a reasonable cost between late May and early November. In an average year, the farm grows over 100 varieties of some 50 organic vegetables (no fruit), all chosen because of their superior taste and nutritional health. Its only “livestock” is a small flock of chickens. It is entering its 12th year of operation as a Community Supported Agriculture venture.
One of the farm's main goals is to share a portion of each week’s harvest with those in need in the local community, both directly to families and to soup kitchens and food pantries.
For more information on the farm, visit its newly-redesigned web site »
For more information on Earth Connections
Contact Sr. Mary Katherine Hamm, SC, by June 1, 2010 for additional details of this program.
» Call: 718.549.9200 x 264
» Email: mkhamm@scny.org
Sr. Mary Katherine is the Director of Volunteer Services for the Sisters of Charity of New York.
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