Little Portion Farm is a ministry of the Franciscan Friars Conventual focused on providing fresh food to those in need while using sustainable farming methods to restore the health of our land. The 3-acre farm functions as an “agro-ecosystem,” with a diversity of plants and habitats to support the life of this “little portion” of creation. As the food harvested from the farm is donated to the Franciscan Center in Baltimore, the overarching mission of this ministry is, using the words of Pope Francis, to “hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”

In addition to common annual vegetable crops, sections of the farm are dedicated to native flowering plants, in an effort to provide habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects to reduce pest pressures. The farm also includes a perennial section where we have planted asparagus, strawberries, Jerusalem artichokes, and will eventually plant berry bushes and fruit trees. Our goal is not only to diversify the farm ecosystem, but also to be able to provide a wide range of healthy fruits and vegetables to those in need.

The farm is also meant to serve as a place of gathering, service, reflection, and education for the local community, cultivating a deeper appreciation of the beauty of the natural world and its interconnectedness, and realizing the Catholic call to serve the most vulnerable and protect creation. We welcome groups or individuals to come serve, learn, and reflect on our farm!