Gratia Plena Farm - USA

The culture of the Gratia Plena farm is based on stewardship. It is a culture of health, balance and beauty, and the opportunity for those who visit and attend, to reap the healthful benefits and the possibility to learn new skills to enhance their lives. Gratia Plena consists of 160 acres sloping pasture and croplands, forests, streambeds, and steep wooded terrain. 2015 was an important year for building retrofits, and to begin to delineate and implement, first and foremost, the agricultural areas central to the farm’s many operations. This was the first step: food production in all its many guises, plant systems and animal husbandry dominates the practices and thus the care for the soil. Expanded operations include a community market, lodging facilities, training programs and demonstrations. 

Features of the new Gratia Plena design:

• Rotational Grazing paddocks across the wider property.

• Broadscale berm and swale systems to infiltrate heavy rains and spring run-off.

• Redefined roadway systems for access to expanded residential areas.

• Constructed wetland for sedimentation and clean run-off from livestock paddocks.

• Contour orchards integrated with poultry and goat management.

• Expanded compost and wood material storage near entrances (for delivery).

• Fruiting trees and shrubs throughout the property.

• Burr Oak and Swap White oak are planted to restore the long term canopy.

• Mushroom production areas are added to woodlands.

• Hog shelters are moved for managing overgrown areas. 

• An extensive irrigation system was installed on all pasture lands.

• Plantings, fruiting trees and shrubs surround each residence.