Monks to stop farming in Iowa after 160 years

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Beau_Ouiville

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"PEOSTA, Iowa —The farming tradition that has sustained the Trappist monks of New Melleray Abbey in eastern Iowa is no more. The Telegraph Herald newspaper in Dubuque reported Saturday that the New Melleray Abbey Farm once worked by 150 monks has fallen victim to depressed market conditions for traditional and organic crops. There are too few monks to do the heavy farm work. The farm’s equipment and supplies are to be auctioned and cropland rented out.

“This will be bittersweet for us, losing a 160-year tradition, which has served us well,” said Abbot Brendan Freeman, who leads 35 monks and brothers at the monastery. Their average age is 70 and for the last 15 years, they have paid laymen to work on the farm in Peosta because they are too old and there are too few of them to do the heavy work. "

chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-abbeyfarm-closing,0,5194813.story
 
what a shame! perhaps they could reach out to iowa’s colleges and universities and get some students to get an internship?

there is a Catholic worker house in nearby dubuque that might have some people willing to work for food and boarding.

also, there is a Catholic worker farm in iowa that might be able to help.

it’s called the mustard seed

there must be some answer. we really can’t afford to lose such a special place. 😦
 
I was at a retreat there 40 years ago and I am surprised and sad to hear this.
 
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mdgspencer:
I also did a retreat at New Mellaray in 1981. In retrospect, it was a magical experience. I’m not sure I thought so at the time. I certainly pray for the community there as they undergo this change.
 
Maybe the Government will pay them NOT to farm.
(Do ya think?..)

Hey-now, there’s a place Obama could put people to work!👍

Farming builds Character-not the same as character given on a sheet of paper in public schools…Good, honest, hard work. You won’t get fat either (Michelle would be happy).

God Bless you.
+Jesus, I Trust In You!
Love, Dawn
 
DawnInTexas said:
Farming builds Character-not the same as character given on a sheet of paper in public schools…Good, honest, hard work. You won’t get fat either (Michelle would be happy).
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Then those monks better rethink their decision to get out of the business. They’d be doing good, honest, hard work, would stay in good physical shape - and would build character.

All pluses for a monastery! What about it, Brothers?

And, they’d have the approval of the First Lady!
 
Rich_Olszewski said:
Then those monks better rethink their decision to get out of the business. They’d be doing good, honest, hard work, would stay in good physical shape - and would build character.

All pluses for a monastery! What about it, Brothers?

And, they’d have the approval of the First Lady!
Click to expand...
Problem is they aren’t young anymore, as in being/becoming elderly.
 
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