Canned Beef Sales Support Farms Run By Nuns

Canned Beef Sales Support Farms Run By Nuns AG WORLD Ag World Every spring Sister Clarence blesses calves raised on the Ancilla Beef & Grain farm That might be one reason why the canned beef produced by the Catholic nuns who run the farm is so tasty The Angus/Simmental/Salers cross cattle are raised naturally on rotationally-grazed pastures that surround the convent of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ located near Donaldson Ind Ancilla is Latin for female servant The name reflects the nuns approach to serving others Beef cattle play an important part in their ministry The beef feeds the sisters 200 co-workers program participants and residents who live in facilities on the 1 000-acre property The meat is also sought after by local customers who buy it either frozen or canned The Poor Handmaids sisters continue the work of their German foundress Blessed Catherine Kasper who supported herself and her mother by working as a farm hand for 10 cents a day She started her order in 1851 and worldwide there are about 650 sisters Sixty-three of them live on the Donaldson property that was purchased in the early 1900 s On-site ministries include a 2-year liberal arts college nursing home independent living apartments retreat and conference center services for women and children in need and a variety of other ministries We are an intergenerational living and learning center We all interact says Julie Dowd communications director á The farm is one important ministry of the Poor Handmaids Farm managers butcher cattle 7 times a year to sell frozen or fresh to local customers Twice a year 4 head are butchered and canned to sell to customers both locally and by mail order They get about 240 27-oz cans of beef per animal says Kim Lamb who manages the marketing for the farm While frozen beef can only be sold in Indiana the canned beef has been shipped as far as Alaska Canned beef is so convenient Dowd says Ancilla beef is really sought after and we get top dollar for it at $7 25 per can It s natural and has a good flavor Nothing is added û not even salt Animals are fed grains and hay raised on the farm Excess hay -- about 700 tons a year û is sold to area dairy farms The Poor Handmaids sell some of their meat through the farmers market in nearby Plymouth They also have a greenhouse that grows vegetables that are served at their Ministry Center We re very unique Dowd says We ve created our own little village We ve even got a lake The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ website www poorhandmaids org describes their ministries and provides a way to donate money to help fund their services Those interested in ordering canned beef can find more information on the Ancilla Beef website Order early Lamb suggests Canned beef sells out very quickly Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Ancilla Beef and Grain Farm P O Box 1 Donaldson Ind 46513 ph 574 360-9649; www ancillabeef com

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