Country Woman

It isn’t often you find a farmoperated by a Dominicannun. Sister Janet Weykerwears work clothes, providesmuch of the muscle and embodiesthe spirit of the Eco-JusticeCenter farm and education centernear Racine, Wisconsin.“Our mission is to teach othersabout sustainable living, alongwith conservation and care of theland,” she says as we feed alpacas.Learn and grow.The Eco-JusticeCenter (far left)educates kids andadults alike aboutcare of the earth.Fresh crop. In thefarm’s garden, Anntransplants tomatoseedlings (left) andburies eggplant andbean seeds.Alpaca pack. Annhelps Sister Janet(below) walk a groupof fleecy friends toan open pasture neara hay field.``````sink my hand into their super-soft fleece. They’ll be shearedsoon, the fiber used in carding,spinning, weaving, crochetingand felting classes.With help from volunteers,grants and donations, theDominican community restoredthe original farm buildings, somedating back to the 1800s. Theyalso built their education centerand a guest cabin, and installed a``````“Growing up on a dairy farmis the best preparation I hadfor this work.”Janet and her crew expect6,000 visitors for farm tours,classes and special events in thecoming months. I’ve volunteeredthis spring morning to helpwith livestock, gardening andbeekeeping chores in preparation.As we lead five fluffy, big-eyedalpacas to a nearby pasture, IAPRIL I MAY 2015 COUNTRY WOMAN 53