The Rural Life Office is focused on stewardship of land and water resources; preserving and prospering small to medium sized farms and the rural communities that support them; and strengthening the local food system within our diocese.

Catholic Charities' Rural Life Office embraces the call of service to all in need, delivered within the framework of Catholic Social teaching, with a special emphasis to rural communities and rural churches.

With an ever increasing worldwide need for food, it is alarming to watch the continuous eroding of our farming base across the bread and corn baskets of our nation. Farmers lose their family farms to financial failure while being more productive than ever before. Obviously, something is completely wrong across the heartland of our nation. Put quite simply, without farmers, we don’t eat.

Rural Life Office - Helpful Links and Information - This page provides good information and resources for those who live in rural areas. Be sure to check back often for updates.

The next winter farmer's market will be held at St. Sebastian Catholic Parish located at 1747 North 54th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53208 on Saturday, March 4, 2012. The market will be open from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and the community meal will be from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

For more information about upcoming winter farmer's markets please visit the Churches' Center for Land and People website.

Read a recent article published in the Wisconsin State Journal about the Winter Farmer's Markets.

The 5th Annual Rural Life Mass was held on October 25th, 2011 at St. John the Baptist Parish in Montello, WI. The afternoon celebration was hosted by the Marquette/ Green Lake Deanery. Mass was held with Bishop Robert Morlino presiding and concelebrated by Fr. Michael Richel, the hosting pastor of St. John the Baptist in Montello, Fr. Bernie Rott, the Diocesan Rural Life Director, and fellow diocesan priests. A reception will followed in Marquette Hall at the parish.