Greening FSPA Land
To further reduce its carbon and ecological footprint, FSPA’s mission advancement office provides resources for sustainability projects on FSPA land. A grove of cedar, pine and fruit trees was planted there in 2009. Invasive plant species removal is also underway to restore the land beyond the windbreak—the home of FSPA’s natural cemetery—to prairie.
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.
To support Greening FSPA lands, use our Donate Now form.
Organic Garden
The abundant, high-quality fruits, vegetables and herbs and the nutrient-rich soil itself thrive because of Sister Lucy'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.
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.
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.
