Franciscans transform neglected spaces into sustainable farms
Author: Teresa Peterson
Date Published: September 15, 2026
Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe are working to address the climate crisis of our day, characterized by greater frequency and intensity of mega droughts, water scarcity, harvest failure and food insecurity. Besides praying for God’s creation, promoting ecological conversion, and advocating for climate justice, a number of Franciscan-hearted people have been involved in small, but important local initiatives that are making a big, positive difference in responding to the cry of the poor and the earth. During this Season of Creation, we would like to highlight one of them.
Br. Mike Johnson, OFM, is leading efforts to address issues around water scarcity through hydroponics farming, a method of growing plants in nutrient rich water rather than soil. This technique uses 90% less water than traditional farming, and the plants can grow virtually anywhere. The farms are placed in communities that face food insecurity, and they convert blighted areas into green space. This integration of caring for people and caring for the earth is an important principle of Catholic teaching.
Br. Mike Johnson, OFM, visits one of the hydroponic farms in Hartford, where he has been instrumental in expanding sustainable farming with the help of a non-profit organization founded by a parishioner of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, also in Hartford. (Photo by Br. Jacek Orzechowski, OFM)
“In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis tells us that the human environment and the natural environment deteriorate together. We cannot adequately combat environmental degradation unless we also address the human and social conditions that leave poor and vulnerable people bearing their greatest burdens. Environmental decline and social inequality are not separate problems; they are dimensions of one crisis,” said Br. Mike who serves as executive director of the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish in Hartford, Connecticut.
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants in nutrient rich water rather than soil. With simplified hydroponics, the plants can grow through inexpensive PVC pipes and buckets. This technique uses 90% less water than traditional farming. (photo courtesy of Rafael Quinones)
A Franciscan approach to a global problem
It all started in October 2020 when Br. Mike met a young adult parishioner named Christian Heiden who for his Eagle Scout project designed a simplified hydroponics system using PVC pipes and buckets that could provide a sustainable food supply.
Br. Mike invited Christian to bring his knowledge of hydroponic systems on a mission trip with St. Francis Builds, a nonprofit that restores homes and other community structures for people in need. Christian has since attended seven mission trips with St. Francis Builds, working with volunteers to construct or enhance a hydroponic farming system in countries throughout North America and the Caribbean.
Since meeting Br. Mike, Christian started a non-profit organization, Levo International, to empower people to end poverty through simplified hydroponics. He credits his faith and the friars for inspiring his mission: to enhance the lives of people and heal the environment.
“The non-profit I started is secular, but the values are really rooted in the Franciscan theology of focusing on and serving the poor and servant leadership,” said Christian, who has been a parishioner of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish for many years.
Br. Mike Johnson, OFM, teaches students in Oaxaca, Mexico, about Levo International’s bucket style of growing produce. (photo courtesy of Levo International)
Thousands of volunteer hours
St. Patrick-St. Anthony parishioners provide essential support to four hydroponics farms in Hartford.
“The parish community has helped us start our Community Supported Agriculture program. They put thousands and thousands of volunteer hours into the construction and maintenance of hydroponics. We have youth groups and community nights. Some of our best volunteers come from the St. Patrick and Anthony parishioners. The Franciscans have become embedded in the organization,” said Christian.
From left to right: Br. Kevin Fox OFM, Justin Tomaino (St. Patrick-St. Anthony parishioner), Christian Heiden, and Alex Almagro (St. Patrick-St. Anthony parishioner) work together to build a hydroponics farm. (photo courtesy of Levo International)
Br. Mike and other parish friars invite the community to give their time, talent and treasure to support this initiative. They are not only planting seeds — they are planting hope in the hearts of community members.
“We have transformed blighted properties. There was a former apartment building that was really run down and was demolished. So, it was just an overgrown lot that is now a beautiful green space. It's a sign of hope,” said Br. Mike.
A brighter future for students
St. Camillus parishioner Rafael Quinones volunteers with St. Francis Builds in Oaxaca, Mexico to build a hydroponics farm at a school and teach students how to plant and care for the crops. (photo courtesy of Levo International)
Levo International and St. Francis Builds have set up hydroponic farms in Jamaica, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Last month, Rafael Quinones volunteered to install a hydroponics farm in Oaxaca, Mexico, an area that receives very little rainfall. He also trained students to manage the farm, skills that will enhance their future. Rafael and his wife Chris, parishioners of St. Camillus Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, also stewarded by Franciscans, have been on several mission trips with St. Francis Builds and Br. Mike. They believe their faith calls them to help people.
“We want to leave the world a better place than we found it. So, this is one way of trying to do that,” said Rafeal.
Christian, who developed a simple way to build hydroponic farms for an Eagle Scout project, is pictured in Jamaica with a local resident and Br. Mike. (photo courtesy of Levo International)
Br. Mike is grateful that so many people have come together to make this type of sustainable farming possible and transform lives in the process.
“Through its partnership with the Franciscan Center and St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish, LEVO provides a concrete way for the Church to live the vision of Laudato Si’. Care for creation becomes inseparable from feeding people, restoring dignity, strengthening neighborhoods, and forming people, especially young people, to become responsible neighbors and missionary disciples,” said Br. Mike.
About the Season of Creation
The Season of Creation celebrated by Catholics and people of many faith traditions from Sept. 1 to Oct. 4 holds a special place in the heart of Franciscans. As we observe this time of prayer, ecological conversion and concrete acts of environmental stewardship, we will highlight efforts by our province to respond to the cries of the earth and the poor. To learn about the Season of Creation, click here.
The pope’s prayer intention
Pope Leo XIV asks Christians around the world to unite in prayer for a specific need each month. This month’s prayer intention is for the care of water.
Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.