Little Portion Farm

04/24/2026

Today we celebrated the Feast of Bl. Giles of Assisi, patron of our farm, after Mass at The Shrine of St. Anthony. Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv., and Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv., joined us to offer a special blessing in Giles's honor as we begin the busiest months of our year.

Bl. Giles of Assisi was an early follower of St. Francis and a member of the new Franciscan Order 800 years ago. He worked as a farmer and would glean leftover harvest to provide to the poor. Bl. Giles, pray for us!

04/22/2026

Yesterday was the first anniversary of the passing of +Pope Francis, a great advocator for caring for our common home. On this Earth Day, we remember +Francis's encouragement for us all to "hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor."

All labor done on Little Portion Farm is done in this spirit. All fruits and vegetables grown and harvested (using sustainable agricultural methods) are given to those living with food insecurity (more than 20,000 pounds annually). Our farm is also a place of gathering, service, reflection, and education for all, 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.

To celebrate our work and prepare for our busiest months of the year, all are invited to join us on the farm tomorrow for a blessing on the Feast of Bl. Giles of Assisi (our patron). The blessing will be led by Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv., following the 12 p.m. Mass at the The Shrine of St. Anthony. We hope to see you there!

04/21/2026

Please join us on the Feast of Bl. Giles of Assisi for a special prayer service and blessing on the farm after the 12 p.m. Mass at the Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv., will lead us in seeking the intercession of Bl. Giles as we begin the busiest months of our year. May Bl. Giles guide us in our work to glean and gather all fruits of our labors for the poor.

Thursday, April 23
Mass 12 p.m.
Shrine of St. Anthony

Blessing 1 p.m.
Little Portion Farm

Blessing will take place by the gazebos in the middle of the farm - follow the woodchip path from the main gate. Light refreshments will be served afterward on the farm. Our greenhouse will also be open for plant sales after the blessing.

03/06/2026

This episode of Maryland Farm and Harvest on Maryland Public Television aired Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Maryland Farm and Harvest has won 16 Capital Emmy Awards for their work highlighting agriculture in the State of Maryland.

Tune in around 10:14 to see the segment about Little Portion Farm and The Franciscan Center of Baltimore

An prison farm feeds food insecure families; A friar feeds the needy; Al visits a Paw Paw Festival.

03/05/2026

During his morning homily on Wednesday, March 4, Friar Tom Lavin, OFM Conv., invited the high school students present before him to open their hearts and eyes to the ways they may be called to serve. He said all of them have unique gifts to offer and Jesus helps us discover what those are.

In the context of their retreat that day, sharing time and space between the The Shrine of St. Anthony and the farm, Fr. Tom asked them to think about the ways God was encouraging them to grow like the seeds they may be planting or spinach they were going to harvest. As they moved mulch and woodchips, could they reflect on the ways they can more generously serve their community?

Our Lady of Good Counsel High School had two full-day retreats on the grounds this week. In between time spent at the Shrine for Mass and reflections, the high school students braved the elements on the farm, working in the high tunnels and preparing the walking trails for the Spring and Summer. Thank you for your service!

12/05/2025

Last night, EWTN's Living Divine Mercy program featured our work and partnership with the The Shrine of St. Anthony and The Franciscan Center of Baltimore. We are blessed to have so many dedicated volunteers who help make our mission come to life!

Check out the clip here:

On December 8, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation and a feast that holds a special place in the heart...

11/12/2025

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from the volunteers of Little Portion Farm!

10/27/2025

For the first time, we hosted a community gathering inside one of high tunnels on the farm this past Saturday. Surrounded by still healthy and producing tomato and bell pepper plants and with newly planted spinach seeds beneath the tarp at our feet, we shared a farm-to-table meal prepared over open flame.

We cannot thank our chef/pit-master extraordinaire Vanessa Nino enough for her time and talent and the St. Louis ministry group, Together Growing in Faith, for making the evening possible!

You can see more of Vanessa's live fire work on her website: https://plated.photography/?page_id=195photography1

10/03/2025

"Praised be you, my Lord
with all your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
who is the day through whom
you bring us light."
- Canticle of Creatures, St. Francis of Assisi

In recognition of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (10/4), we reflect today on his influence on our work. In that spirit, we hope you'll take time to watch recent talks given by some of our friars about the Canticle of Creatures.

St. Francis penned the Canticle more than 800 years ago, but as Friars Jude Winkler, OFM Conv, and Nick Romeo, OFM Conv, share, this hymn is still so relevant to our lives today.

https://franciscanvoice.org/franciscanism-the-canticle-of-the-creatures/