A Living Laboratory

We seek to demonstrate what is possible by experimenting towards a healing practice of Christian faith fully integrated with the care of Creation. Here, people grow food, and we see God growing people.

We're right here...
and wherever you are.

Twelve acres, two houses, historic barns, and many seeds for the future (including weed seeds and invasives, we’re not perfect) are located twenty minutes north of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our experiential programs for all ages take place right here, in the Rogue River sub-watershed of the Lower Grand River watershed.
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As a living laboratory, our connections cross the country. We're growing a network of Christian outdoor farm, food and environmental educators; we educate leaders about wiser use of church-owned land. In a few short years Plainsong has made a difference both locally and nationally.

We're named for a tradition of sung prayer practiced by Benedictine communities who make vows to care for one place for a lifetime. We find that inspiring. As an organization affiliated with the Episcopal Church, it's also part of our heritage.
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If you can, come to the farm! If you can’t, you can still be involved, wherever you are.

Plainsong LocalPlainsong NationalOur Practices
local work
National work
Our practices

The History of
Plainsong Farm

Does Plainsong begin in the early 300’s when a few disciples retreated to the desert and away from empire? Or does it not begin until you join in?

2008

Nurya first starts talking out loud about her longtime dream of Plainsong Farm. Without sufficient clarity to begin anything, she continues in research and discernment.

2013

Nurya reads Soil & Sacrament: A Spiritual Memoir of Food and Faith, which includes a description of Adamah Farm. This gives clarity to the dream and first steps to a path.

2014

Nurya tries to start Plainsong Farm, fails fast, prays for help and guidance, moves off the farm and is introduced to Mike and Bethany. All three start imagining what is possible together.

2015

Mike and Bethany move to the property and begin to turn it into a productive farm again. Nurya publishes the first guide to the Christian Food Movement. Our first donors give encouragement as well as needed cash.

2017

We hold the first on-farm worship services and with our fourth founder Polly, we visit our inspiration organization, Adamah Farm.

2018

FaithLands/ChurchLands gatherings connect land access professionals and religious leaders nationally for the first time. On the farm, an ecumenical community begins by growing heirloom wheat for communion bread together.

2019

Plainsong Farm becomes a separately incorporated non-profit organization. Our first young adult residents are with us for eleven weeks. We begin our supporting member program.

2020

We start a local Good News Gardens program in response to the pandemic. The young adult program becomes part of Episcopal Service Corps. We begin donating produce to the Grand Rapids Community College pantry and hire our first Program Director with gifts from over two hundred supporting members.

2021

A new website and logo mark our maturity and capacity to contribute to the wider movement of Christians seeking healing and justice through food and agriculture.