About Farms of the Good Shepherd

Our mission at the Farms of the Good Shepherd is to teach others to find God in His created things; in His creatures; in the bounty of His soil, all of which are most accessible within the simple life modeled in a rural, agrarian setting. In a culture that is becoming increasingly distracted by technology and trapped in the cycle of material acquisition, and which gradually consumes space in one’s heart, God becomes marginalized. By stepping away from that world, and into the Catholic tradition of Ora et Labora – meaning that in simple labor our Creator is found by one’s prayer becoming one’s work – the domestic church of family life flourishes, and we can return space in our heart to God.

Our Mission

Our Vision

Connecting with God through nature and simple living.

The foundation of our work at the Farms of the Good Shepherd has been discerned through the words of the author of Wisdom. As is often the case, so many are “… unable from the good things that are seen to know Him who exists, nor did they recognize the Craftsman while paying heed to His works.” (Wisdom 13:1). “For from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator.” (Wisdom 13:4). And so, if God is found in His creation, in His works, “… how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things?” (Wisdom 13:9).

We recognize, in the times in which we live, that more and more people – from grade school students to retirees – that the Lord of all things is not being recognized in His Creation, which surrounds us. Why? Because we have become distracted and consumed by the trappings of social media, technology and a career ladder that traps us by its material reward system.

At the very core of the mission of Farms of the Good Shepherd (FGS), then, is to guide souls to grow closer to God by more quickly recognizing Him in His created things, in His created creatures, in the bounty of His produce. To begin to do that, one must put aside distraction.

And to that end, St. Thomas Aquinas says there is no work more noble in its purpose than that of the farmer, as the farmer’s work produces the necessities of life that nourish the soul and that leads one closer to God. (see, The Importance of the Rural Life, George Speltz, at 16). Work that produces the necessities of life, says Aquinas, is where one can sooner find the Lord, versus working primarily for external luxury goods only, which can lead us to become preoccupied with things not of God.

Stepping into the experiences and learning opportunities offered by the Farms of the Good Shepherd is to cultivate a prayerful, Creation-centered way of life rooted in the Catholic faith and lived out through the rhythms of the work on His land. Inspired by the sanctity and simplicity of monastic living and its tradition of Ora et Labora, we seek to form hearts—young and old—through hands-on experiences with farming, livestock, cooking from the harvest, and living in harmony with God’s creation.

We invite all who come to our farm to rediscover the deep peace found in a quiet life of prayer, work, and communion with the natural world and, then by extension, communion with others. By slowing down and embracing the seasons, visitors learn not only the practical skills of tending the land but also the spiritual and theological truths written into the soil, the sky, and the cycles of growth and rest.

Children and families experience the joy and wonder of living with the land, returning home not simply with knowledge, but with hearts renewed—ready to reshape a home life around prayer, simplicity, and gratitude rather than busyness and distraction. Through this, we hope to spark a return to a way of living where God is at the center, and where each moment, task, and meal becomes an offering of love and thanksgiving to Him.

Our model draws deeply from the rich traditions of Catholic agrarian life and the enduring wisdom of cultures that continue to live close to the land—communities whose deep-rooted practices sustain faith, foster joy, and often yield lives of remarkable health and longevity. These ancient paths still nourish the Church today and provide a spiritual stronghold in a world longing for meaning, connection, and peace.

Join us at the Farms of the Good Shepherd in our many experiential offerings for children and adults, which could take the form of lectures and teaching sessions, opportunities for retreat, experiential field trips and camps, or simply for our classic agrarian themed cooking and farm-table dining.

We look forward to your visit to the Farms of the Good Shepherd.