What We Do
AnimalsOur animals have important jobs on the farm:
- Bees pollinate plants and provide honey.
- Sheep provide wool and manure.
- The llama protects the sheep from predators.
- The chickens and turkeys provide fresh eggs and help control insect populations.
- The animals are part of education programs for students of all ages.
GardensOur gardens try to model a style of agriculture in harmony with the land, one that is sustainable for the environment and sustaining for the humans involved.
- Chemical-free, naturally grown gardens provide fresh wholesome produce for visitors to Shepherd's Corner, for sale at our market and as donations to food pantries.
- Hay fields produce hay and fodder for our animals and provide nesting bird habitat.
- Volunteers assist with all aspects of the gardens: working in the greenhouse, transplanting, direct seeding, cultivation, and harvesting.
Land- The property is unusual in having so many types of ecosystems in a relatively small area.
- 160 acres hosts different habitats: field, forest, wetland, woodlands, and a riparian corridor.
- We are committed to maintaining the diversity of habitats and ensuring the health of the land and its inhabitants.
Programs
Education is at the core of all we do.
- We offer a seasonal menu of special programs, from nature and labyrinth walks to pottery, fiber arts, book groups and gardening workshops.
- We offer educational programs primarily for elementary age students, which focus on farm life, nature, art, water and wetlands, and sprituality.
LabyrinthPeace, insight, comfort, healing, energy, connection, and letting go are words often used to describe a walk in the labyrinth. Walking this circular path provides a time of quiet and meditation and reminds us of our life journey with its twists and turns. A single half-mile path leads to the center and the same path is followed back out.
- Monthly public walks are scheduled year-round.
- Drumming in the labyrinth takes place in the summer months.
- Groups renting the facitilies walk the labyrinth.
- School and camp groups participate in guided walks, stopping at stations to reflect on the gifts of creation.
Meditation TrailWalk the 8 reflective stations in the trail. Each station offers something for the mind, body, and spirit, with theme-centered factual information, reflections, and suggested activities. We are grateful to the Capitol Square Rotary which provided funding, labor, and assistance with the design and to students at Upper Arlington High School who helped create the stations.