Protecting the land, as well as the plant and animal species that live on the property, is vital to the Racine Dominican Eco-Justice Center. So too, is preserving the farm buildings that date from the 1870's onward. When our society is prone to tear down rather than fix up, when culture says that bigger and newer is better than smaller and older, we at the Eco-Justice Center aim to model sustainable, simple living, reverencing the land and all who have lived in this place before us.

Organic gardening, raising araucana chickens, geese, ducks, and caring for three alpacas are some ways that we are living in a mutually enhancing relationship with Earth and those who share this land with us. Fleece from the alpacas is used for spinning, weaving, knitting, and felting; manure from the alpacas, chickens, geese, and ducks is composted and used in the organic garden. Extra garden produce is shared with those in need through Racine's North Side Food Pantry.

Solar Energy

On sunny days of summer, the photovoltaic array on the granary roof produces more electricity than we use at the Eco-Justice Center. Instead of getting a monthly bill from We Energies, we receive a check. The solar hot water system is working well also. Gauges on the hot water holding tanks show that the sun is heating the water to 160 degrees on clear sunny days!

Making bread rolls "from scratch" and baking them in our new Sun Oven was an intriguing highlight for youth during our summer Ecology Camp. S. Mary Ann Weyker of the Eco-Justice Center community, shown at right, cooked our first picking of green beans in the Sun Oven. The oven was purchased through the generosity of friends from Baraboo.

Alpaca Fiber

Teddy, Friar Tuck, and Jasper had their spring haircuts in June. When the job was complete, each looked like he was wearing pantaloons! This style of cut helps prevent fly bites to their legs. In winter their coats  grow thicker again. S. Mary Ann, along with help from Ss. Mary Hope and Rose Ellen at Siena Center, did a great job of cleaning bits of debris from the fiber before it was sent away to be made into roving. Winter brings time for spinning, knitting, weaving and felting.

"Rooted in Hope" offers visitors and volunteers the opportunity to experience their connection to the land. Whether walking in the woods, observing the many species of wild birds, noticing the diversity of vegetation, or collecting colorful eggs from the araucana chickens, one can find enrichment and give thanks for the bounty of the Earth.

The Eco-Justice Center is located at 7133 Michna Road in Racine (between 6 Mi. and 7 Mi. Roads, south of Cliffside County Park)
 

Check out our other Eco-Justice pages:
Home: http://www.racinedominicans.org/pages/eco.cfm
Rooted in Hope, our newsletter: http://www.racinedominicans.org/pages/ejnews.cfm#794
How You Can Help: http://www.racinedominicans.org/pages/how.cfm
Looking Ahead:
http://www.racinedominicans.org/pages/look.cfm

For more information contact S. Janet Weyker at 262-681-8527 or jaweyk@miliserv.net.