Farming

Farming has been the traditional form of financial support for both our men's and women's Cistercian monasteries from the very beginning.  Sadly, very few monasteries can support themselves by farming.  Although we have a large farm it has  never been a major source of income for us.  But we love our farm.  Our goal at present is to sustain our land and keep it beautiful: our farm, orchards and gardens.  We have had to pass on much of the heavy work to employees and neighbors who rent our land which allows us to attain our goal at present.  The sisters solely work in our gardens and orchards providing food for our table.  Cattle graze on our land and corn, soybeans and hay are grown, the Iowa staple crops.