Our Lady’s Ranch Journal
FAITH, FAMILY, & FARMING
How to Start Homesteading
Our number #1 question we always get is “how do you start homesteading?” Our answer is really simple: start now. It doesn’t matter what your living situation is because homesteading is about ordering your life around the family and nature and you can do this anywhere!
Why Homesteading ?
The small family farm fosters common goals and generates opportunities to work together as a family to achieve those goals. This of course promotes unity between the family members, spiritually connecting them to one another and to God.
Is There a Catholic Back-to-the-Land Movement?
Phil and Karen Zeiter were joined by Mario John Chris at the annual Catholic Land Movement conference in upstate New York! Learn about the history of Catholic homesteading and their blessed time at the conference.
Homesteading vs. Farming
“The Little House on the Prairie dream is possible for everyone…” Families can farm but that doesn’t mean they’re homesteading—and families can homestead but that doesn’t mean they’re farming. What’s the difference though?
Fostering Community
Phil Zeiter has cultivated Our Lady’s Ranch for over 20 years, dreaming that his children would all choose to return someday to be apart of his Catholic Community dream… In April of 2023, this dream began to see fruition when his oldest son, Zachary, moved home with a little family of his own.
Planning Long-Term Goals for Your Family Homestead
Are you overwhelmed at the idea of starting a homestead within your own life and home? What happens when you decide to make this dream a reality? What are the first steps to getting started? We hope that this thoughtful exercise helps you to begin clearly laying out what you wish for your homesteading future.
An Agrarian Lifestyle
Today, under the guise of progress, civilization has become uncivilized. Inventions in industry, transportation, and communication have progressed convenience, comfort, and competition, but regressed our sense of community.
A Culture of Life
The heart of Catholicism is LIFE and LOVE found within COMMUNITY. While at the heart of our society is SELFISHNESS and DEATH found within INDIVIDUALISM.
The Art of Sustainable Living
Our Catholic Family Homestead has become a wonderful environment to practice “The Art of Sustainable Living,” which creates a balance of our spiritual, physical, intellectual, and emotional needs through prayer, farming, homeschooling, and social interaction.