The Villa Maria Farm in Villa Maria, Pa., is an integral part of the heritage of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. Home to a greenhouse, two high tunnels, a produce market, and a herd of beef cattle, the Villa Maria Farm is situated on 759 acres of land near the Pennsylvania-Ohio border. The farm encompasses 300 acres and includes nine acres of organic produce gardens. Land management at the farm is based on spirituality, sustainability, simplicity, and the preservation of all local life systems.

The farming ministry helps support the sisters and adheres to the sisters’ mission of bringing more abundant life to God’s people, especially the poor. To fulfill that mission, half of the food produced is donated to local food banks, shelters, and parishes in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. For the past 10 years, the farm has also operated a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program where the farmers and the community share the risks and benefits of food production. Individuals pledge to provide support to the farm and the farm provides a weekly share of the produce harvested during the 18-week growing season.

In September 2020, the Villa Maria Farm was awarded a $100,000 Covid-19 Fresh Food Financing Initiative grant through a partnership with Community Partnership, Inc., in Butler, Pa. The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) is a statewide public-private financing program that invests in new or expanding grocery stores and other healthy food retail outlets in communities throughout Pennsylvania. The grant will allow the farm to upgrade the retail market and provide for the construction of an outdoor GAP (good agricultural practices) produce washing station. The project will help to expand the production and sale of Pennsylvania grown and processed products, while serving neighboring communities which are USDA-designated food deserts.