The Center plants seeds in these students, by hands-on involvement in land and agriculture. The harvest is not easily quantifiable. Yet Jung believes, "the environment becomes us when we discover that we are ingesting it at every meal. Suddenly those who grow our food and those who distribute, sell, package, and stock food are involved in the environment. Rural people know food and have a great gift to give when they realize that eating is a spiritual practice."

In order to continue planting seeds, Jung in his capacity as Director at the Center, has written Food for Life: The Spirituality and Ethics of Eating, and is hard at work on an even more practical book on Sharing Food: Christian Practices for Enjoyment, alternately titled, How to Eat Well. Though the Center primarily serves seminarians, it exists to educate the whole church about land and theology. Thus, Jung uses these texts in order to help a wider audience connect their food choices with a healthy creation-people, animals, and land.

In addition, the Center hosts continuing education courses for area clergy and lay leaders. Recognizing that embedded in the care of God's creation is the proper tilling and care of the earth, it is important to cultivate sensitivity to agriculture in current and future pastors. Thus, to bring the issues to church, the Center also makes available worship resources for an Earth Day Service, Harvest Service, and a Rogation Service.

Contact: ruralmin@dbq.edu or ruralmin@wartburgseminary.edu