Michaela Farm

Oldenburg, Indiana
Photography by Anjali Fong

In 1948, Cincinnati philanthropists Louis and Louise Nippert established Greenacres as a “gentleman’s farm” on 47 acres of rolling landscape. About a century earlier and an hour west, the Sisters of St. Francis established Michaela Farm to support the women living in the convent on the property.

In July 2021, these beautiful historic properties came together when Greenacres acquired Michaela Farm.

Today, Greenacres Foundation manages the nearly 600 acres in Indian Hill, with educational programming and a diverse farm that yields meat, produce, and flowers. Greenacres and Michaela Farm share a vision of conservation, agriculture, sustainability, and education, so it feels like a logical pairing.

“The Sisters had expressed interest in selling, but were hesitant,” says Peter Wheeler, the foundation’s marketing director. “They didn’t want to see the farm turn into another development project. Greenacres became a perfect fit as a buyer when we realized our missions were very closely related.”

Greenacres will maintain the property and the majestic red-brick barn as a working farm and add youth learning programs. “We’re focusing on improving the already wonderful gardens, running livestock over the pastures to improve soil and pasture quality, and repairing and planning infrastructure,” Wheeler says. “We have a full garden team dedicated to the gardens onsite, and our buildings and grounds department has been working with local contractors on repair projects.”

A small education facility will be added, making it easier to host school groups. The current CSA program will also be improved to support more members, with plans to add meat products (grass-fed and finished beef, chicken, pork, lamb) in the next couple of years, Wheeler says. While all this activity unfolds, the Michaela Farm store remains open.

---

Michaela Farm
22143 Main St., ​Oldenburg, IN
Farm products also available at the Greenacres Farm Store in Indian Hill, Oh.
812.933.0661