The dream of Manitou was born from a deep sense of responsibility to exercise good stewardship towards some 270 acres of land. Its lake, stream, woods, fields, and abundant life forms, stirred a vision to relate to it all in a way quite differently than what is typically pursued.

We can walk upon this land, breath its refreshing air, and enjoy its harvests. However, it tells of things more profound.

This land is a vast ecosystem expressive of intricate relationships and governed by universal principles and laws. Like all land, it holds energy and invites human consciousness to participate in the delicate and sacred web of all life.

1943 - 45 - 36,000 evergreen trees (Norway Spruce, Red, White and Northern Pines) were used to reforest about 60 acres. By 1951 about 2500 were harvested as Christmas trees and another 2500 were planted. The forested area was then extended to about 75 acres. Additional planting included: 1500 Black Locust, 250 wild grape, a number of black walnut, 500 yellow poplar, 150 hazelnuts, 50 bittersweet hickories, plus coral berry, false indigo, honeysuckles and multiflora rose.

Wildlife food and cover plantings were also made. The south side of Schnoover Lake became a haven for deer, fox, rabbits, squirrels, pheasants, quail and songbirds.

By January 1948 when SSJ took over the farm it was called by the Gazette, "one of the outstanding agricultural units dedicated to raising purebred Guernsey cattle in Michigan."

SSJ purchased the farm to meet the growing requirements of Nazareth College, Borgess, and other institutions they operated. Mother Collete and Sr. Blanche became the SSJ managers who worked with Martin Pozeznik who stayed on after Murray sold the farm to the SSJ.

The farm was purchased well below open market value, a special consideration from Mr. Murray. It included all the feed, tools, cattle, and other equipment.

1948 - Mention is made of installation of septic tanks and dry wells for barn drainage.

1955 - listed as district soil conservation cooperator.

The sisters continued to benefit from the dairy farm for a number of years. At some point in time, cross breeding occurred to provide both dairy and beef cattle. As dairy operations became more labor intensive the herd was shifted entirely to beef cattle.

In the 1980's, Martin retired and the Sisters sold the farm equipment and began to lease some of the fields and the use of the building to a local farmer, Charlie Mc Peck.

In 1992, a Resource Audit of all SSJ Properties including the farm was conducted by Rev. Al Fritsch, SJ and recommendations made.

In 1993, all but about 40 acres (which did not qualify at the time) were taken out of production and put into a federal Conservation Reserve Program. Over 20 acres adjacent to the woodland were planted with 11,200+ trees - mixed evergreens and hardwoods and the remaining fields were planted with vegetative cover approved by the soil conservation district.

In 1994, the state of the woodlot was evaluated as a result of the federal Stewardship Incentive Program and recommendations for the future management were made.

In 1995, carefully selected hunters were allowed to hunt deer on the farm since the deer population was very large and damaging the vegetation. Subsequently, wild turkey hunting has also been permitted. Hunters gather and record wildlife information and assist with some projects on the farm as needed in return for the opportunity to hunt.

A wildlife biologist was consulted in 1997 and a wildlife management plan developed with a focus on attracting more pheasants and maximizing wildlife diversity. As a result of the recommendations, efforts were made to facilitate shrub cover plantings with the assistance of local birds. Food plantings were also made as a result of the generosity of Pheasants Unlimited.

A plan for periodic mowing of selected fields was developed to maximize diversity of habitat and to prevent encroachment of woody plants in the fields. In 1999 and April 2000, selected fields were burned (ecological burn) with the assistance of the Comstock fire department.

In August 1997, a scenario regarding the possible development of an ecovillage on the farm property was presented at the SSJ annual meeting (FORUM). Support was given to the concept and a group of SSJ volunteers began further research. The group was later expanded to include others in the area who had an interest in the project and became known as the "Ecovillage Research Team."

In the fall of 1999, the SSJ congregation affirmed its interest in the ecovillage concept and agreed that if an ecovillage entity could work out all of the details related to the implementation of the concept that the congregation would sell them a portion of the land for the ecovillage (under covenants mutually agreed upon). The remainder of the land would be preserved in some way, possibly under a conservation easement with the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy.