FSPA land on St. Joseph Ridge

Organic Garden

The abundant, high-quality fruits, vegetables and herbs and the nutrient-rich soil itself thrive because of FSPA's organic horticulture practices like companion planting, grouping plantings together to nourish each other without fertilizer and pesticides. Each growing season provides fullness—a fullness of produce picked fresh and served directly to the sisters at St. Rose Convent and FSPA’s retirement community, Villa St. Joseph, and of beauty and spirituality shared with the many guests and volunteers who come to the garden.

On June 5, 2019, FSPA was named an Invader Crusader! The award recognizes the invasive species removal efforts. Learn more about and watch the award presentation. 

FSPA's gardens also serve as educational models in the community. As future stewards of the earth, Viterbo University students help to work the garden through FSPA's agricultural internship program, bolstering their undergraduate studies for biology and sustainable management majors as well. Scroll down to view our 2019 crop production results. 

Land as Education
Sam, an intern with the ecospirituality team, learned about gardening and greenhouse management at the garden. She prepared this presentation as her University of Wisconsin- La Crosse capstone project on Dec. 5, 2019.

Jacoba's Greenhouse
Jacoba’s Greenhouse was cultivated to model ecological sustainability opportunities to others ... our hope is that hermitage guests, sisters, affiliates and volunteers are beckoned inside to its warmth and healthful green life. 

Read Sister Lucy invites us into Jacoba's Greenhouse

Back to FSPA Ecological Advocacy