One of the best things about young people is that they have the energy, vision and perhaps naiveté to try something utterly new.

The couple featured at the Catholic Citizens of Illinois April Forum luncheon are just such young people. Joe and Emily Sullivan, the founders of Ex Libris Farm in New Hampshire graduated from Thomas Aquinas College in California.

Jim has a master’s degree in technology. These two would have found success - if not necessarily happiness – in the high pressure, lucrative but often sterile corporate life pursued by so many young people.

Instead, they have chosen to raise their growing family and heritage breeds of pigs and chickens on a farm in New England.

Aware that all the best human things – faith, family and friendship – require a wholesome and salubrious culture in order to thrive, they employ natural, restorative methods to improve their soil.

Their children learn the values of hard work, thrift and responsibility working beside their parents caring for the farm and livestock. Living their lives in accordance with the liturgical as well as the astronomical seasons, they are acutely aware of their dependence upon the providence of God. They enjoy the blessings of both self-sufficiency and community solidarity.

This is a radically countercultural choice being made by more and more young Catholic homesteading families.

Please join us to hear about the challenges and joys of their life on Friday, 10 April 2026, at the Carlisle Banquet Hall, Lombard. Check-in begins at 11:30 and the lunch and program begin at noon.

CCI Luncheon - April 2026

To Tend and To Keep: The Joys and Challenges of the Catholic Homestead