Eco-Justice Center

The Eco-Justice Center, an environmental education center and organic farm, was founded in 2004 by the Racine Dominicans. The property includes woods, a creek and vernal pond, pasture, gardens, orchard, vineyard, and labyrinth. Through education, our mission is to work for justice, healing, and right relationships among all creation.

Organic gardening and caring for chickens, goats and alpacas are some ways that we practice a mutually enhancing relationship with Earth. Fiber from the alpacas is used for spinning, knitting, and felting; manure from the alpacas, goats, and chickens is composted and used in the organic gardens. We work with a local beekeeper whose bees pollinate both wild plants and garden crops. Extra garden produce is shared with those in need through Racine's food pantries. 

When our society is prone to tear down rather than fix up, when culture says that bigger and newer is better than smaller and older, we at the Eco-Justice Center aim to model sustainable living, reverencing the land and all who have lived in this place before us. We built a green addition to the 1912 farmhouse and constructed the Education Center with repurposed building materials. Renewable energy features include solar hot water, solar electric, geo-thermal heating and cooling, and wind electric from our 10Kw wind turbine. Currently, 50% of our electrical use is generated from the solar panels and wind turbine.

We offer tours, field trips, children & family programs, adult programs, and employment for college-aged crew through our Farm Corps program. Volunteer opportunities abound at Eco-J for individuals and school and work-place groups. Major annual events include a Farm-to-Table dinner in August and Fall Festival in September. In collaboration with Hawthorn Hollow and Racine Unified School District, Eco-J welcomes half of RUSD’s first graders for a Growing Healthy field trip in October.