We are an Urban Farm dedicated to raising quality produce for hungry people. This year we have been supporting Operation Love's food pantry and the church.
"PLANT SEEDS, GROW FOOD, WATCH GOD WORK"
Bethlehem Farms is an outreach ministry of Maple Grove Church of God. Our goal is to produce quality vegetables to feed hungry people. In 2017 we began to use the fallow land next to our church as a garden. A small group worked to raise vegetables for the church and some local daycare facilities. From that small plot it has grown into a small urban farm. Be
thlehem Farms is one way we steward God's creation and His gift of life and land. Today we have 32 rows of vegetables on drip lines. these 40 foot rows are planted in green beans, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, cucumbers, turnips and squash. We have a cold box with radishes and then carrots. Around the garden we have Sunflowers, birdhouse gourds, buck wheat and other flowers. In 2020 we added a Lavender Prayer Path. This will provide a place of solitude, reflection, beauty and prayer. The Prayer Path is based on the Traditional Christian Labyrinth pattern.
2021 saw us open Praise Bees Apiary. We have 3 hives of bees working to pollinate and produce honey. These hives are a wonder of coordinated work that are amazing to watch. We partner with local organizations like Operation Love to provide fresh produce for their food pantry.. We are open to working with those who would like to volunteer and be a part of this exciting adventure. Come join us as we Plant seeds, Grow food and Watch God Work.
By Brian RamseyFew churches when giving directions for visitors can say, “Turn at the vegetables,” but the congregation at the Maple Grove Church of God in Anderson, Indiana can. Several years ago, Maple Grove was led by God to steward their land, as well as stay on mission as a local church
07/08/2021
The Lavender is looking and smelling wonderful. The bees are busy making honey. Added a honey super to the Saskatraz ladies.
07/07/2021
The garden is really coming alive now.
06/29/2021
The girls have found the Lavender and Buckwheat.
06/25/2021
Justin working the Bees. He says he needs gloves that fit better.
06/16/2021
The Saskatraz ladies were busy this week and 1 week in and we had to add the second deep already. The Russians in the "Birch Tree" hive are really doing well with lots of brood and working in the top deep now. The Carniolan hive is putting in lots of honey but only a little brood. Not sure how good the queen is. Didn't see her today and will check later this week for her or her replacement.
In honor of World Bee Day on May 20, here's five surprising things you might not know about nature's hardest working pollinators.
05/13/2021
Checked to make sure the queen was out of her cage and accepted. All looked good in the hive. I leaned out the dead bees (some always die in a package and some from their cold night before getting into the hive) but the rest were busy and active.
05/12/2021
The girls are out and about today.
05/10/2021
The girls from the Black Sea region have arrived! Our package of Carolinian Bees 🐝 are I their hive. Thanks for Randy Tracy's help in getting them in.
05/10/2021
Radishes are popping up!
05/01/2021
Busy morning at the Farm. Rows started and laid. First seeds in. Radishes, turnips, cucumbers and green beans. Bee boxes set and ready for the first bees a week from Monday. Thanks to Steve and Karen Napier, Kim Dilks, Jeff Hill's, Janice Schmidt, Kaleb Lakas and of course Randy Tracy.
Let the garden season Begin!!!!
04/27/2021
Matt Tracy, plowing the rows in. Sooooo much faster.
04/27/2021
The garden is ready to lay the drip tape, plastic and start planting.
11/03/2020
The farm is closed for the season. Thanks to everyone who helped this year. We gave 625 lbs of produce to Operation Love and probably another 500 to the congregation. A very productive year!
Looking forward to the 2021 season.
07/16/2020
A quick picking today. Things are starting to really come on fast now.
07/10/2020
Harvest has begun. Zucchini, Yellow Summer Squash, Cucumbers, Green Peppers and Banana Peppers. Lots of weeding and mulching done today. Thanks to Randy Tracy, Kaleb, Kim and Barb for pitching in.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bethlehem Farms At Maple Grove posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Contact The Business
Send a message to Bethlehem Farms At Maple Grove:
Videos
Checked to make sure the queen was out of her cage and accepted. All looked good in the hive. I leaned out the dead bees (some always die in a package and some from their cold night before getting into the hive) but the rest were busy and active.
The girls are out and about today.
Matt Tracy, plowing the rows in. Sooooo much faster.
We have reopened Bethlehem Farms and are looking forward to a new season and a new opportunity to provide fresh food for our family and our neighbors. We have adjusted our plans based off of our previous experiences and learning. We are having a 3-prong approach to the farm that will provide a wholesome and holistic nourishment. The first section is our Vegetable Plot. We have reploughed the original 4 garden beds into 1 large bed. We will be planting it in 4 sections with Pumpkins, Peppers, Green beans and Zucchini. These vegetables will be available to the church family and to our neighbors.
The second prong is to develop a Berry Plot. In this area we want to plant Blackberries, Raspberries and Blueberries. These bushes once established will provide regular seasonal fruit. They may take a few years to get firmly in place but then will provide fruit for years to come.
The last plot is our new Lavender Prayer Path. This circular path will provide a place for prayer and meditation as well as a regular crop of Lavender. This is a significant venture that will take time to get going. We will start this year and watch as it takes shape and root in the years to come. The lavender will provide a beautiful setting for prayer and contemplation. As we harvest it we can then sell it as either dried or essential oil.
We need help in the form of volunteers and specific items that you can purchase and donate. We need rolls of landscape fabric and mulch to go between the rows of plants. This will help with the weeding and aesthetics of the garden. If you can purchase a few rolls of landscape fabric or want to donate to the Farm please see Pastor Steve, Tina or Randy Tracy. Together we can make a difference.
