Business Leadership Students Visit Green Wagon Farm

A group of students from Professor Marc Andreas’ Business Economics class journeyed off campus in late September for an old-school field trip to Green Wagon Farm, where they learned about its unique connection to the local economy.

Marc Andreas, associate professor of business leadership and the program’s director, loves taking his students on trips like this, saying such visits allow them to see classroom learning play out in the real world.

“It gives them a more tangible way of learning the material than just reading about it in a book. I also have them write reflections on several of the trips to really solidify it for them,” he said.

Owned by husband-and-wife team Chad and Heather Anderson, Green Wagon is deeply committed to the welfare of both the Earth and the local community.

The Ada-based operation is certified organic, uses sustainable farming practices, and engages in community-supported agriculture (CSA), where shares of the harvest are purchased in advance by consumers to share risk and provide farmers with upfront capital.

In return, members receive a regular supply of fresh, seasonal produce directly from the farm, fostering a direct connection between the community and the food they eat.

Andreas said this made Green Wagon a perfect choice for the outing because it exemplifies an important principle of Kuyper’s business leadership program: the triple bottom line.

“This means Christians in business have social and environmental responsibilities as well as financial ones,” Andreas said. “Our students learn that they actually have three bottom lines to think about: people, planet, and profit.”

Heather Anderson was eager to host the group, showing them around the farm and sharing Green Wagon’s distinctive approach to growing food and participating in the local economy.

Andreas said he has many other upcoming trips and guest speakers planned for Kuyper students.

“One of the best parts of teaching at Kuyper is that I have the freedom and opportunity to take students out to learn about these kinds of things. It sticks with them and helps them go out and make an impact on the world,” he said.