The Catholic Worker Farm

We at The Catholic Worker Farm commit ourselves, our space and our time in order to strengthen others in Faith and Social Justice. We are committed to the Aims and Means of The Catholic Worker. This means we are committed to Prayer, Personalism, A Decentralised Society, A Green Revolution, Non-violence, The Works of Mercy, Manual Labour and Voluntary Poverty.

We are situated on a large working cattle farm in a rural setting with 4.5 acres of land and lake frontage.

The Core Community is made up of:

• Scott and Birthe Albrecht
• A steady stream of both visiting and live-in volunteers who come for up to a year

We all share in the community life of prayer, gardening, resistance to injustice  and advocacy with our Guests.

FOUNDING COMMUNITY

Scott Albrecht, a key figure at The Catholic Worker Farm, has dedicated his life to the principles of the Catholic Worker Movement, which emphasises personalism, voluntary poverty, and non-violent resistance to social injustices. Originally from a Jewish family in Chicago, Scott converted to Christianity and became deeply involved in the peace and justice movements. He served in the U.S. military but soon embraced pacifism, which led him to establish the Catholic Worker Farm in England, a sanctuary for destitute women and children, particularly asylum seekers. Scott’s background includes a role as a former chaplain and teacher. He also holds two degrees in Applied Theology, which have informed his approach to community living and activism.

At The Catholic Worker Farm, Scott Albrecht has faced both personal and community challenges while striving to live out the radical hospitality that defines the movement. He and his family have opened their home to over 650 homeless individuals since the farm’s inception, including women who have escaped domestic violence, trafficking, and those with no recourse to public funds.

Scott is known for his direct actions, including protests against nuclear weapons and climate change, some of which have led to arrests. His life and work at the Farm are informed by a commitment to building a society based on mutual aid, simplicity, and the dignity of every human being, reflecting the ideals of early Christian communities and the anarchist roots of the Catholic Worker philosophy.

Birthe Albrecht is from Denmark and is a vital part of the Catholic Worker Farm, where she lives with her husband Scott, dedicating their lives to providing sanctuary for destitute women and children, particularly asylum seekers without access to public funds. Birthe’s commitment to the movement’s principles of non-violence, voluntary poverty, and manual labor is evident in her daily activities, where she fosters a loving community environment. Her leadership and background enrich the Farm’s ethos, making it a place of hope, support, and advocacy for social justice.