In 2003 the American sisters moved from metropolitan New York upstate to a rural, agricultural area and made the decision to continue their micro-farm enterprise in solidarity with their African sisters' farm which raises food for their ministry to local orphans. Our convent in Greenwich, NY, was completed by 2004 and a barn for small ruminants was built in 2005.

In 2004 we were given a start-up herd of cashmere goats and made the transition from dairy to fiber production, raising award-winning goats and producing cashmere roving and yarns. We keep a small organic garden for our own food production, and process vegetables, berries and fruit in the late summer. We kept bees for a few years, and have raised chickens and sheep. In the summer we raise Hereford steers as "sustainable pasture management" and for meat. Our hand-spinners and other fiber crafters create yarn and a variety of

products for sale in our small shop. St. Mary's-on-the-Hill products support the work and ministry of the sisters in America and central Africa.

The sisters' primary work is prayer with the farm providing labor for hands and hearts. The fiber work draws the community together in a common enterprise -- part of our Benedictine ethos. Stewardship of the land and animal husbandry are seen as facets of a larger life lived to the glory of God.