St. Catharine Farm, St. Catharine, Kentucky, is becoming a leader both in the local area and in the state for its environmental record and for the quality of its products. None of this would have happened without the support and commitment of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catharine of Siena over the years.

The mission statement of the farm states that it is to “Be a learning center through the farm’s witness to a reverent spirituality of the earth, responsible stewardship and sustainable farming practices.” This year several groups toured the farm to study the environmental practices used. Also, grants were received from the Conservation Reserve Program for a wetland area and for grassed waterways and diversion ditches which prevent erosion.

The wetland area that was completed last fall consists of five acres on the other side of Cartwright Creek which have been planted in warm season grasses native to Kentucky. Wetland areas are made to help with drainage and to utilize very unproductive land in an environmentally friendly manner. Deer, wild turkeys and waterfowl can be seen in the area at almost any time.

Another grant was received from the Soil Conservation Service for geo-textiles in heavy traffic area in the feedlot in order to protect the creek from pollution. The geo-textiles also reduce the amount of mud in the feedlot which is a health hazard for the cattle.

The participants in the National Soil Conservation and in the Washington County Master Cattleman Workshop toured the farm to study the environmental practices used on the farm to protect the environment. In addition, the National Resources Conservation Service held a “National Buffer Training” at St. Catharine Farm to highlight different types of buffers and their uses.

The mission statement of the farm also states that the farm “provide healthy food to those who dwell on this land and that it collaborate with other local farmers in the search to discover alternatives to conventional methods of family farming that are sustainable both ecologically and economically.”

St. Catharine Farm has joined with four other farmers in Washington County to market their beef throughout the local area. The project, known as KY Homegrown Beef, has just started to gain momentum. People are concerned about the quality safety of the food they are eating and are willing to spend a little more for good, wholesome food. After news of BSE (Mad Cow Disease) was found in Washington and which was directly related to Canada, there was a segment on Channel 3 news in Louisville which featured St. Catharine Farm. The reporter spoke with the farm manager, the local extension agent and a local hog producer about the safety of our meat. She visited the farm and checked the feed and minerals fed to the cattle to make sure that they did not contain any animal by-product. It seems that St. Catharine Farm is in the right place at the right time.

St. Catharine Farm will continue its leadership role in the local area by focusing on ways to protect the environment and by producing healthy and safe beef for its consumers. Much has been accomplished but there is still a way to go.

Danny Ray Spalding, Farm Manager