Clare Gardens is a cornerstone of Trinity Senior Services’ commitment to holistic care and environmental stewardship. Through sustainable farming practices, we nourish residents at each of our living communities and beyond, giving seniors access to local, organic produce to enhance health and wellbeing. In honor of the 10-year anniversary celebration and fundraiser for Clare Gardens, we’re looking back at our roots and highlighting all the growth on the farm within the past decade.
Read more below about where we started and where we’re headed—including raising funds for a production building. Consider donating toward this effort today or at our 2026 Annual Fundraiser.
Early Days in Burlington (2015–2019)
A partnership with the Burlington Brothers led to the first acre and a half planted in 2015, with an employee-only CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. Staff received weekly boxes of fresh produce, sometimes overflowing with peppers, broccoli, or beans. Soon, it became clear that the demand — and the harvest — exceeded what internal staff could use.
By year two, Clare Gardens began supplying partner organizations through a corporate CSA model, ensuring consistent, high-quality produce going directly to dining programs. Our valued long-term partners include fellow Wisconsin-based senior living communities: Clement Manor and St. John’s on the Lake.
Infrastructure quickly expanded:
A high tunnel (greenhouse-style structure) extended the growing season.
A well and irrigation system improved yield reliability.
Composting partnerships turned local food scraps, lake weeds, and yard clippings into rich soil amendments.
Nearing the end of our 3-year leasing cycle, Trinity Senior Services wanted to further impact residents and the communities with Clare Gardens and needed more space to fulfill our mission. With some crops taking more than three years to mature, planning ahead was essential in order to expand upon the effort.
Transition to the Catholic Ecology Center (2020–present)
When the Burlington property was sold, Clare Gardens found a new home at the Catholic Ecology Center (CEC) in Neosho, WI. The move in 2020 provided 18 acres of land, with about 4.5 acres currently under cultivation. Our partnership with Executive Joe Meyer from the CEC was instrumental since the center was looking for more ways to strengthen its programming and use of the land.
Here, the farm grew into a sustainable food hub:
A heated greenhouse was built in 2022, eliminating the need to rent off-site seed-starting space
A maintenance building expansion improved produce handling, washing, and storage
A fruit orchard was planted, now producing apples and raspberries for partner deliveries
Composting operations expanded, collecting food scraps from Trinity Woods and other partners
Organic raw honey from the beekeeping program is sold at each of our resident communities
Organic maple syrup from tapped trees right on the property is sold at at each of our resident communities
Colorful butterfly garden to promote pollination and used in weekly flower shares available to residents interested in a farm-fresh bouquet
Looking Ahead & How You Can Contribute
The vision for Clare Gardens’ future depends on your support through our Annual Fundraiser!
Fundraiser focus: A solar-powered production building with space for year-round growing, education, and hands-on partner workshops.
Expansion offruit production and protected growing (with hoop houses to reduce crop loss to deer and critters).
Continued growth in composting, soil regeneration, and sustainability practices.
Thanks to our dedicated team, the vision of our leadership, and most importantly, the generous donors who continue to support its growth. Clare Gardens has evolved from a “what if” idea into a thriving agricultural mission, rooted in sustainability, education, and nourishing the community with fresh, local food.
Consider donating today to honor the 10-year legacy of Clare Gardens and help cultivate its bright future!
