March 2013

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Faith and Creation Lecture anticipates future food and faith world

Long before it was trendy to purchase organic produce, Frederick Kirschenmann was on the scene. In 1976 he converted his farm in North Dakota to a certified organic operation, productively farming without fertilizers and pesticides while improving the health of the soil at the same time. Yet Kirschenmann's work extends far beyond those 2,600 acres of farmland as an international leader in sustainable agriculture.

Holding a doctorate in philosophy and decades of farming experience, Kirschenmann brings a unique and valuable perspective to the connection between food and faith. He has said, "To be at home with the soil is truly the only way to be at home with ourselves, and therefore the only way we can be at peace with the environment and all of the earth species that are part of it. It is, literally, the common ground on which we all stand."

Frederick Kirschenmann is professor of philosophy and religion at Iowa State University. He is also a distinguished fellow of the Leopold Centre for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State. Kirschenmann's lecture, titled "Anticipating our Future Food and Faith World," will be held at 7 p.m. on April 22. He'll also preach in chapel on April 23 at 11 a.m.

Join us in exploring how our food relates to our faith, and walk away with a new appreciation for the soil under your feet.

The Faith and Creation Lecture is held bi-annually. It was established to honor Robert William Ruotsalainen Rutlen and Elizabeth Jane Runn Rutlen, children of the Great Depression on the Minnesota Iron Range who centered their lives on family, country and church. Robert felt deeply that justice and care of God's creation needs to be integral to the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ to all.