Caring for Earth, Caring for You —Sr. Mary Kieffer, OP

Embracing a curiosity for nature, Sr. Mary was introduced to the benefits of worm composting several years ago by Sr. Carla Kovack and has embraced this form of soil fertilization wholeheartedly. “It’s so fascinating to see how the worm castings are so good for the garden. Feeding worms our melon rinds and coffee grounds, to name a couple, gives me a connection to how our ancestors worked the soil to get the best from the earth.” Sr. Mary has a dream of expanding the worm composting so as to provided nutrients to more of the campus and is committed to teaching others about the benefits. In addition, she has been learning about mushrooms. She has gotten involved with the Ecological Society of Marin County and is learning about planting certain species that promote good soil health.

Gardening and learning about these green practices has expanded Sr. Mary’s appreciation for the little things. “It broadens my awareness of how everything is interconnected with every little aspect important for our health. Planting the rights supports the soil and surrounding trees. Using worm composting techniques turns our discarded waste into nutrients to help grow the food we eat. Gardening is a wonderful de-stressor—great for mental health too.”