By: Ripley Ahlborn
Thursday, July 11, students got the opportunity to visit a sustainable
organic farm outside of Fond du Lac, WI. Accompany the class on the trip was Dr. Michael Ketterhagen, a professor of theology who has taught at Marian for many years. The farm, which is named Produce with
Purpose, has been owned and operated by Rick and Dawn Slager since 2010.
From their years spent in West Africa, the Slagers have incorporated many techniques used in African farming into their small farm nestled in the rolling hills.
From their years spent in West Africa, the Slagers have incorporated many techniques used in African farming into their small farm nestled in the rolling hills.
Students learned many things about the farm and received a
short tour of the property. A number of century-old
buildings are spread around the 4-acre property, as well as several “hoop houses”
(seen in above photo, to the right, behind students). The Slagers believe in using the most natural methods possible, which
includes using very little pesticides–even organic ones. They do this to keep the soil as healthy as
possible.
The Slagers sell their produce through wholesalers, Village
Market, a small Fond du Lac grocery store, various farmer’s markets in the
region, and also through the Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) program. Find
out more about Community Shared Agriculture at www.producewithpurpose.com/#!csa-info.
As part of the Slagers’ mission, they use a portion of their
profits to benefit small farmers in West Africa through their organization
called the Rural Empowerment Initiative (REI). Rick Slager said that he would
like more people to be aware of agriculture today, to realize that modern
farming is devastating to the soil, and to know that the food supply today is driven
and manipulated by massive corporations.
At the end of the trip, students were able to participate in
a service learning project by helping clear out weeds from the vegetable
garden. The sun was beating down hard but there was plenty of ice-cold water
around to keep everyone cool.
We all worked up a sweat, but it sure was worth it. At the end of the day,
students left Produce with Purpose Farm with new found appreciation for what
goes into making the food we eat, and the people behind it.
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