San Damiano Center for Sustainability: Framing in Progress, Part I by Eric Fitts, Director An update is overdue! The Shelter-Kit framing kit arrived on a 54-foot truck and trailer with 33,000 lbs of materials. Since the truck could not get up our 1/2-mile driveway, it took all afternoon and the next morning to get the … Continue reading San Damiano Center for Sustainability: Framing in progress, Part I
The Summer Servant community this summer has been a huge support--they really put the "farm" in Bethlehem Farm and have made the self-build on the San Damiano Center for Sustainability possible.
Property Purchase: Once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity by Eric Fitts, Director Great news! We have signed a sales agreement with the Diocese to purchase the 48-acre Bethlehem Farm property that we have been leasing! The Diocese accepted our offer of $36,000 and it is time for us to formally invite you to contribute to this essential investment. Sponsor a … Continue reading Property Purchase Appeal
Thanks to the groups from Our Lady of Grace (IN) and St. Luke/St. Lawrence (NJ) for a great week.
May 12-18, 2019, College Week: Alvernia University (Reading, PA) Thanks to the group from Alvernia University, a Franciscan school near Reading, PA, for a great week. Making a difference serving with Melissa, Teshla, Wellspring, Farmer Rhonda, and on the homefront. Thanks to these students and their group leader Krista for their selfless love and their … Continue reading May 12-18 College Week
San Damiano Center for Sustainability: Foundation Complete, Part XI by Eric Fitts, Director The crew from Solak Builders was back to make some relief cuts in the slab, begin some block work around the rain water hydrant for the chicken coop, and lay the last 2 courses of block on top of the slab to … Continue reading San Damiano Center for Sustainability: Foundation Complete, Part XI
San Damiano Center for Sustainability: Foundation in Progress, Part X by Eric Fitts, Director The day finally arrived to pour the slab for San Damiano. Vapor barrier was placed down (to protect the contents of the building from rust due to condensation from the ground), forms put up, and we were ready for 4 cement … Continue reading San Damiano Center for Sustainability: foundation in progress, Part X
Garage Site Prep Begins by Eric Fitts, Director Solak Builders cleared any organic matter and topsoil off the site, setting aside clean soil that would be better-used in the gardens, so it would not get buried and wasted beneath tons of gravel and concrete. Once we have a final foundation plan from Bison Steel, we'll … Continue reading Site Prep Begins for Garage
Old Garden Tool Shed Demolition/Salvage: Demo completed as we prepare site for Maintenance Garage by Eric Fitts, Director Solak Builders took over where our Farm crews left off, as they demolished the remainder of the old garden tool shed. All of the locust posts were salvaged, which will be useful around the farm, and all … Continue reading Old Garden Tool Shed Demolition complete as we make way for Maintenance Garage
San Damiano Center for Sustainability: Foundation in Progress, Part IX by Eric Fitts, Director The final course of block before the slab gets poured is in place, corrugated metal has been installed over the composting toilet bins and root cellar for the slab to pour over top of them, and forms have been placed and … Continue reading San Damiano Center for Sustainability: foundation in progress, Part IX