Bridget
Loaves and Fishes Program Consultant
Gardener
Animal Tender
I grew up in Groveland, MA and graduated from Providence College in RI with a degree in Public and Community Service Studies. After serving for a year at Amos House (a soup kitchen/shelter/social service agency and former Catholic Worker house,) I spent nine years working to build a stronger community in the Olneyville neighborhood of Providence. There are great things happening there – if you’re ever in Providence, ask the folks at Olneyville Housing Corporation if they will give you a tour! (Hi guys! I know you all have Google alerts for Olneyville.) In Providence, I also volunteered with Urban Greens Food Co-op, working to open a community-owned grocery store. I’m excited to be at the farm, learning about farm animals and gardening, and especially learning about West Virginia and the farm’s local community. In my free time, I enjoy bike riding, birdwatching, and karaoke.
Mariana
Office Manager
Newsletter Editor
Sustainability Coordinator
I was born in New Jersey and grew up in the suburbs of San Jose, California. After graduating with a B.A. in linguistics from the University of Chicago, I served for a year as a high school teaching aide through the Capuchin Franciscan Volunteer Corps. During that time I became interested in the pursuit of justice and social/environmental sustainability, so coming to the Farm was a logical next step. In my free time, or even when I am supposed to be doing something else, I enjoy playing the piano, baking, reading, long conversations, and photography. You can read my blog at http://asparrowsworth.blogspot.com.
Moira
Retreats Coordinator
Community Outreach
Animal Tender
Gardener
Originally hailing from Maine, I came to The Farm by way of Morgantown, WV, where I was the Catholic campus minister at WVU (GOOOOOOOOOOOO Mountaineers!). The four cornerstones resonated with my experience as a Jesuit Volunteer (JVC-Chicago ’04-’05) and a Passionist Volunteer outside of Kingston, Jamaica. I enjoy soapboxes on sustainability and social and environmental justice and putting those ideas into practice here at the Farm. If you have ideas, let me know! I love living in West Virginia, and I enjoy hammocks, games, coffee, dancing and live music.
Miriam
Chief Napper
Explorer
Hi, I’m Miriam, the littlest member of the community. I was born October 6, 2010. I like eating and sleeping, and I’m very good at smiling at people. My mommy and daddy are Colleen and Eric– can’t you tell by my good looks? I am friends with the farm animals, and I know how to make all their noises. This is my picture when I was ten months old- I love home grown melon!
Laura
Volunteer Coordinator
Hiring Coordinator
Website Manager
After spending the first 18 years of my life in Villa Hills, Kentucky, I moved to Chicago to attend Loyola University where I studied molecular biology and sociology and worked for campus ministry, originally intending to pursue medical school. After discovering the farm, I knew that this was actually where I belonged, and I am very much enjoying my time as a caretaker. My favorite activities here are sitting by fire, reading good midwifery books, dancing, and dabbling in the kitchen. And, I do not like coffee.
Colleen
House Manager
Development Officer
My husband Eric and I have been living at Bethlehem Farm since May 2007, after three years of long-distance planning and work. I went to college at Loyola University Chicago, then spent two years working at Nazareth Farm (Bethlehem Farm’s sister farm) as the Project Coordinator. Eric and I got married in 2005, moved to Morgantown, WV, and I graduated with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from West Virginia University. I love working with my hands, whether it’s working on the farm vehicles, framing walls, or creating unique quilts. I am very interested in learning to tend honeybees and one day I hope to be a licensed electrician. In the meantime, I love living at the farm, trying to live authentically, and continuously growing from the experiences we have and the people we meet here. Our daughter Miriam (above) is our cutest community member and brings great joy to life at the Farm.
Eric
Director
Gardener
I grew up in Wauwatosa, WI, graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 1999 with a degree in biology and was involved in the Encounter and Search retreats, as well as service trips to Nazareth Farm, Guatemala, and inner-city Chicago. After college, I volunteered and worked at Nazareth Farm in Doddridge County, WV, from 1999-2002, and worked as the mentor of the Mother Jones House Christian service community at Wheeling Jesuit from 2003-2005, where I also studied theology. I married my lovely wife Colleen in 2005 and we both attended West Virginia University, where I earned a Master of Public Administration and Certificate in Nonprofit Management in May, 2007. I enjoy working in the garden, running, hiking and stargazing.