Brent and Beth Schulze knew they wanted to raise their family on a farm, discussing their dream even when they were just dating. Brent grew up on a farm and knew the benefits of a life of hard work and simplicity. And Beth remembers, “My parents had an old barn where my siblings and I played.” Dreams for her own life were born from those magical childhood moments.

Two years after their marriage in 2006, they purchased a small six-and-a-half acre farm to start the life they always wanted. They were just beginning to discern what God was calling them to. When their animal population and family grew, the Schulzes needed more space, so Beth and Brent asked God to provide the opportunity to purchase a larger farm. Providentially and on their wedding anniversary, they purchased their current nearly 80- acre farm, 10 years after acquiring their first one.

From the beginning, Brent drew from his childhood family farm life. “There is always something to be learned from life experience,” he said. His own mistakes and discussions with older farmers led the Schulzes to experiment with more traditional farming methods and animal breeds. When helping other farmers implement organic practices, he often tells them, “I can tell you how to do it wrong.” He laughs, admitting that God has a fun way of humbling farmers, and he has learned many lessons over the years. In sharing his experiences, Brent hopes other farmers avoid costs and wasted time.

Eventually, the Schulzes were led to animals designated as heritage breeds, which are traditional animal breeds bred over decades for their special traits and used widely by our ancestors. For a family farm like the Schulze’s, they are a perfect fit, and it is believed that they are heartier and taste better than modern breeds.

Brent and Beth now graze their livestock by moving them from field to field, to ensure that the meats and dairy they sell can be called grass-fed. They also shifted to more organic methods of farming, changing course when something new was discovered or redirecting when results were not good.

“We don’t follow the crowd on how we farm,” said Beth about the organic, grass-fed practices they adopted. “We just try to do what we think is closest to how God created it.” But that doesn’t mean they spurn modern advances in farming.

The Schulzes use modern testing methods, electric fences GPS and other modern conveniences to support their mission. They humbly admit that the organic family farm is not for everybody and that operating their farm this way is a choice—one that, while hard, has been very rewarding for their family and faith.

Brent and Beth’s desire to farm centers on faith, and their practices are those that uphold their role as good stewards of creation. “There is a connection to be made between farmers and nature that directs us back to the Creator,” Brent said. In this holistic approach, their farming seeks to bring everything full circle, with God as the center.

Brent shared that he often turns to the Benedictine motto of “ora et labora” (work and prayer). “I always wanted a job that didn’t conflict with the faith,” Brent said. He’s found in his life as a farmer a balance of work and prayer.

Beth connects farming and her faith by living out Catholic virtues on the farm, including giving an honest day’s work, caring for the resources God gives them, and accepting with humility the conditions and disappointments that come.

“We hope our children see how these virtues affect our animals and others,” said Beth, “making them want to live virtuous lives.”

As the Schulze’s family-farm dream is realized each day, Brent finds the most fulfilling part of this life is “getting to work with family and live where you work.”

Each day they can see the fruits of their labor and watch their animals grow. While it’s hard work, Brent, Beth and their children find reward in connecting with God’s creation and gifts, and they exemplify how family farmers, by their work and prayer, radiate Christ to those around them.

This article appeared in the September 2024 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.