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Farming is by no means the easiest or most economically viable way of making a living nowadays.
But the local community in the Rogersville rural area still tries and the monks are happy to be part of this community.
Mankind will
always need farmers because farmers produce food. We believe that the smaller farmer will soon come back
into his own as consumers become more insistent on knowing where their food comes from and grow more interested in locally
produced foods. The new sensitivity to the environment will also favour the smaller farmer over the giant
mass-producer. So we believe that any farmer who can manage to hang on in there may see his fortunes turn
around. The
monastery was founded with a specific view to monks who would engage in agriculture. There is certainly
something to be said for those who are trying to live a life of prayer focussed on God the Creator being in touch with the
land and with animals. Few monasteries remain that are still farming. Our Lady of Calvary remains committed to this style of life and
tries to husband its forestland and make its modest contribution to providing milk and chickens for consumption by the larger
community. Monks like to do things that are good in themselves without looking too hard at the financial returns.
This is in no way sophisticated or hi-tech farming, nor is it organic, but we do carefully follow government norms
and the advice of veterinary experts on animal husbandry. This is just plain run of the
mill farming like the monks that make up the community. We use the methods of any average farmer and are happy
to feel our solidarity with the farming community. We hope that there might be others out there that would
be interested in joining a farming monastic community rather than one that is involved in more enclosed industries.
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| the calves |
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| new born |
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| chicken barn |
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| green house |
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| our latest tractor |
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The following analysis
of our farm operation was made by agricultural advisors in March 2007:
The Trappists operate a
dairy farm, broilers, and contract raise day old chicks until they are ready to lay eggs, 21 weeks of age, for another producer. Currently they have 75 mature cows, 40 heifers and 15 calves. Forage, pastures, forage corn and grain corn cover 350 acres of cultivated land. Slopes range from about 1% to 4%, and the soils are a sandy loam.
Mature cows are housed
in free-stall barn year round. About 15 dry cows and 10 bred heifers have free
access to pasture from June to October. Calves are housed in hutches until 2
months old.
The farm produces liquid
dairy manure which is mixed with wood shavings from bedding. The manure is stored
in an earthen lagoon. Milk-house wash water is added to the lagoon contents. 15 young heifers are housed separately and produce dry stack manure in a limited quantity.
Broilers are raised going
through 6 cleanouts per year with roughly 40,000 birds each time. Chicks are
also raised up to laying hen size, numbering 30,000 birds twice a year.
The fields are currently
managed on a 6 year rotation. Four years for forage or hay production, one year
grain corn and then one year forage corn. There is generally one cut of forage
per year.
| FARM OF THE YEAR 2008 |
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| Br. Stephan receiving the award |
There is a testimony from Jean_Eudes Chiasson, President
of the National Farmers Union in New Brunswick, on the French version of this site.
The Pope on agriculture:
Almost fifty years ago, my predecessor Blessed Pope John XXIII had this to say
about the task of tilling the soil: “Those who live on the land can hardly fail to appreciate the nobility of the work
they are called upon to do. They are living in close harmony with Nature – the majestic temple of
Creation…Theirs is a work which carries with it a dignity all its own” (Mater et Magistra, 130-131).
All human labour is a participation in the creative providence of Almighty God, but agricultural labour is so
in a pre-eminent way. A truly humane society will always know how to appreciate and reward appropriately
the contribution made by the agricultural sector. If properly supported and equipped, it has the potential
to lift a nation out of poverty and to lay the foundations for increasing prosperity.Benedict
XVI, Address to the members of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, 20 February 2009
In December 2009 the animal rights organization, based in the United
States, PETA, attacked us in the local press over our cows and chickens. They wanted us to go out of all
animal and poultry production! The Abbot said that he would not change a thing. He
does not believe that our methods amount to cruelty to animals, nor that they are contrary to Catholic principles.
We do nothing that thousands of Catholic farmers the world over don’t do.
Click the link below to see what people say about PETA |
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| Winter downriver |
TUESDAY 24 - We heard that the firefighters have moved out of
our garage into one within the village limits. They originally took refuge in ours after the fire that destroyed their operation
centre in Rogersville on January 7. But they had to conform to regulations that they should be within the village limits.
WEDNESDAY 25 - Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. We started using a new edition of our choir books for feast days.
Father Maurice has put a lot of time and effort into getting them out.
THURSDAY 26 - Solemnity of our Holy Founders,
Robert, Alberic, and Stephen Harding, who started the monastery of Cîteaux in France in 1098, thereby giving birth to
the Cistercian Order. Our Trappistine sisters honoured us with their presence for lunch. So did Brother Henry, coming in
from his care home in Moncton. He looked a lot better. Our cook, Melva, did us a magnificent meal.
SATURDAY 28 - Feast
of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the greatest theologian of the Latin Church. We woke up to more snow than we have seen so far this
winter, but still nothing compared to other years.
SUNDAY 29 - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Abbot presided at the
Mass and preached, all in the two languages.
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| Potter's wheel built by Br. Stephan |
Our Lady of Calvary Abbey
11505 Route 126, Rogersville NB, E4Y 2N9
Tel : 506 775 2331 Fax : 506 775 6220
E-mail :
CalvaryAbbey@aol.com
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