By Delainey Muscato
St. Bonaventure University
The gorgeous green fields of Canticle Farm are not just home to delicious, fresh vegetables; they’re also home to a team of wonderful farmers who stay true to their mission and express a deep care for the community they serve. I spoke with Executive Director, Gina Anderson, about the farm’s plans for Earth Day, their mission, and more.
The farm is sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany (FSA). Anderson told me, “Canticle Farm exists because of the sustainability dream that became a reality with the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. Our mission is born from Franciscan values that focus on caring for the most vulnerable and caring for our common home, Earth. The FSA are the role models for which our board, staff and volunteers strive to emulate charisms of hospitality, humility, and service”. One of the core Franciscan values is service. The farm undoubtedly exhibits this trait in their everyday operations. In addition to providing affordable produce for the community, Anderson says they “also donate produce to a wide variety of organizations engaged in alleviating food insecurity throughout Cat-taraugus and Allegany counties in NY, and McKean County in PA, through our Sponsored Share Program, which is supported by grants and donations from religious groups and societies, local or-ganizations, individuals and friends of the farm”.
As an all-natural organization, Canticle Farm is very environmentally conscious, and as Anderson says, “Earth Day is everyday”. For this Earth Day, the farm is inviting everyone in the community to participate in the festivities. “We are welcoming our community to join us to reverence and cele-brate the gifts of Creation. We will host a variety of sustainability talks, have interactive activities for children, and offer farm tours so folks can see what’s in season this spring. This year we will also be hosting a fundraiser for our Franciscan Food Pantry Program in which every $2 donated a vege-table start will be given to the donor. This is a win-win fundraiser; donors can start growing their spring vegetable gardens and we are helping our neighbors in need” Anderson told me. The Earth Day event is so important to the farm because they want to welcome people who share the visions and values of the farm. Anderson said, “This celebration is an opportunity for all community mem-bers to share their passion for protecting our natural resources and to inspire one another in the var-ious creative ways we can live sustainably”.
Canticle Farm also recognizes how important it is for community members to learn what natural grown food looks like. “Canticle Farm is a place to experience how local pesticide-free produce is grown. We are your local farm. Meet your farmers, get involved, it is always a very enriching expe-rience”, Anderson said. Getting involved in the farm is very easy. If you’re interested, start by vol-unteering on Earth Day. Anderson shared several ways community members can be involved in the festivities on Earth Day,
“Volunteer on Earth Day! We welcome musicians, folks to run activities for children, yoga classes and more. If you would like to get involved, please email office@canticlefarm.org”. There are even more ways to be involved with the farm even when it’s not Earth Day. Anderson added that, “An-other terrific way to support the farm is by purchasing a summer and fall community supported ag-riculture share by visiting our website: https://www.canticlefarm.org/buy-a-share.html. Shop our market at 3809 Old State Rd in Allegany every Tuesday from 12pm-6pm and visit us at the Olean Area Farmer’s Market every Saturday from 8am-1pm starting in May-October”.
Whether you love to garden yourself or you are just a consumer, everyone is welcome at Canticle Farm.
“We believe everyone should have access to nutritious produce at affordable prices. The vision of the farm is to be a model for the local, sustainable community farm relying on the recognition of God’s gifts to nourish the mind, body, spirit, and Earth” Anderson shared. The farm’s primary concern is not making money; their main focus is to welcome