Concordia University Agriculture – Farmer & Cowboy

From Hymns to Hoedowns: Concordia University’s Unexpected Agricultural Odyssey

When Crop Rotation Meets Congregation

Seward, Nebraska — Concordia University, Nebraska, is a place where faith meets furrows, and where hymns are sung as heartily in the fields as they are in the chapel. For decades, this small Christian university has been known for its dedication to faith-based education. But recently, a new kind of spirit has been moving across campus—one that’s less about prayer meetings and more about planting meetings. Yes, Concordia is quickly becoming an agricultural powerhouse, and nobody saw it coming.

Students at Concordia might start their day with a chapel service and end it by rotating crops. The campus is filled with laughter and the hum of tractors, as well as the occasional debate over whether prayers or pesticides work better for pest control. “It’s the best of both worlds,” says freshman Josiah Miller, who’s majoring in both Theology and Agribusiness. “I can spend my morning learning about the miracles in the Bible and my afternoon learning about the miracles of modern irrigation.”

For the uninitiated, the rise of agriculture at Concordia might seem surprising. But to those on the inside, it’s a match made in heaven. After all, the Bible is full of agricultural metaphors, and Concordia is just taking those metaphors and turning them into a business model.

One of the driving forces behind Concordia’s agricultural success is the university’s commitment to faith-based farming practices. “We believe in stewardship of the land,” explains Professor Harold Green, head of the Agricultural Sciences department. “And what better way to honor God’s creation than by growing crops that are not only bountiful but also sustainable?”

Concordia’s farming methods are as unique as its student body. Take, for instance, the Beekeeping Club, where students raise bees while also learning about the importance of pollinators in the Bible. “You can’t make honey without a little bit of faith,” says club president Rachel Anderson. “Or without a lot of bees.”

The university has also gained attention for its approach to livestock farming. “We call it ‘Pastor-al Farming,’” jokes senior Mark Thompson, who is working on a dual degree in Animal Science and Theology. “We raise animals with care and respect, just like we care for our congregation.”

But it’s not all work and no play at Concordia. The annual “Harvest Hoedown” is a campus tradition that brings together students, faculty, and local farmers for a night of square dancing, pie-eating contests, and, of course, hymn-singing. “It’s the perfect blend of fun and fellowship,” says sophomore Sarah White, who’s been crowned the Hoedown Queen two years in a row. “And let’s be honest, nothing gets the crowd going like a good old-fashioned hymn.”

Concordia’s unique combination of faith and farming hasn’t gone unnoticed. In fact, the university has been featured in several national publications, including Agriculture Today and Faith-Based Farming Monthly. “It’s amazing to see how our little university is making such a big impact,” says University President Rev. John Smith. “We’re proving that you can have a strong faith and a strong work ethic—and that you can make a living doing both.”

Of course, not everyone is on board with Concordia’s agricultural ambitions. Some students have expressed concerns that the focus on farming is overshadowing other aspects of the university’s mission. “I came here to study Theology, not Tractorology,” says junior Emily Green. “I think it’s great that we’re embracing agriculture, but I don’t want to lose sight of our spiritual roots.”

But for most students, the opportunity to combine faith and farming is a dream come true. “I’ve always felt called to serve others,” says senior Jacob Turner. “And now I get to do that by feeding them—literally. Whether it’s through my church or my farm, I know I’m making a difference.”

As Concordia continues to grow, both in size and in reputation, it’s clear that the university’s unique approach to education is paying off. “We’re raising up a generation of leaders who are rooted in their faith and in the soil,” says Professor Green. “And that’s something we can all be proud of.”

Pro Tips for Concordia’s Faith-Based Farmers

1. Step-by-Step Guide to Prayers and Pollination: Start each planting season with a prayer for your crops—and a few beehives to ensure they thrive.
2. Pro Tips for Combining Worship and Work: Try reciting your favorite Psalms while you plow. It’s multitasking at its holiest!
3. Insider Knowledge on Holy Harvests: Remember, the Lord helps those who help themselves—so get out there and start planting!
4. Expert Insights on Livestock and Love: Treat your animals with the same care you’d show your congregation, and you’ll see the blessings multiply.
5. Best Practices for Balancing Faith and Farming: Make time for both chapel and the cornfield. After all, you’re sowing seeds in both places.

Disclaimer

This article is for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to actual Concordia students who might be simultaneously studying theology and agriculture is purely coincidental—except for Josiah, who really does exist and really does believe that irrigation is the eighth wonder of the world.

15 Educational Observations:

1. From Psalms to Plowing: Who knew that singing “Bringing in the Sheaves” could be so literal at Concordia?
2. The Holy Grail of Grains: Is it communion wine, or is that fermented wheat? At Concordia, it could be both!
3. Saints and Soil: They say you reap what you sow—so does that make the agriculture department the most biblical of all?
4. Crop-tism: With all this talk of growing things, baptism might just take on a whole new meaning. Sprinkle that holy water on the crops!
5. Farming by Faith: When the forecast looks bleak, just remember: the Lord provides… and so does a good irrigation system.
6. Kneeling and Kneading: Whether you’re in church or in the kitchen, Concordia students are pros at making things rise—bread and crops alike.
7. Harvesting Hallelujahs: Concordia’s ag program isn’t just about farming—it’s about cultivating faith and a bumper crop.
8. Missionaries and Manure: Whether it’s spreading the word or spreading compost, Concordia’s dual-purpose graduates are ready for anything.
9. Holy Cow, That’s a Good Crop: Livestock and the Good Book go hand in hand at Concordia—praise the Lord and pass the hay!
10. From Seminary to Seedling: Concordia’s curriculum is so diverse, students might graduate as pastors… or farmers!
11. Faith-Based Fertilizer: At Concordia, it’s all-natural. Because even God’s creatures deserve organic.
12. Prayers and Pollination: Concordia’s beekeeping club might just be the holiest of all—those bees work miracles!
13. Ye Shall Know Them by Their Fruits: Or, in Concordia’s case, by their yield-per-acre.
14. Gospel Grains: Concordia’s got their own version of the good news—this year’s harvest is looking strong!
15. Tithes and Tractors: Whether it’s donating your time or your tractor, Concordia’s students know how to give back to the land—and the Lord.