SVA Agriculture Is Immanuel’s Ground

Story by Janel Haas Ware

For seven years, local church members Bill and Cindy Champion worked to reclaim six acres of Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA) property as plantable land. They hired student workers and operated a popular pick-your-own strawberry business. In 2022, when the Champions retired from the strawberry business, with the vision and generous financial support of a donor family, SVA purchased their equipment, took over their business social media account, and launched a school agriculture program.

Expertly and thoughtfully led by Philip and Mindi Wiygul, SVA agriculture, called Immanuel’s Ground, has quickly become a meaningful part of campus culture. The program includes an Agriculture Science class offered for science credit.

Nathan Onoffrey (’23) says, “I am thankful for the Agricultural Science class because of the useful information, tasty treats and good memories I make with awesome people.”

Students are learning about gardening, healthful diet and living, and are developing an important work ethic. Student workers earn money to pay for school by working in the garden and running the garden market business. And the students share and eat the fruits of their labor in the cafeteria.

Kevin Quintiana (’26) shares, “I love being hands-on, working with food and sharing food with classmates, teachers and friends. I enjoy hard work, and know it is for a greater cause.”

Additionally, a primary goal of the program is to provide students with opportunities for Christian service and outreach. Students have participated in produce giveaways to church members, faculty and staff, local first responders, and members of the community, in cooperation with Valley Fellowship in Edinburg, Va.—the SVA campus church’s new church plant.

“This is challenging, hands-on work, as well as an opportunity for students to build relationships and encourage healthy living throughout the SVA and wider community,” says Mr. Wiygul. “They are realizing the benefits of a school farm that the early Adventist education influencers discussed in their writings.”

Principal Don Short agrees. He says that SVA agriculture augments a distinctly Adventist Christian education for students that emphasizes real, not virtual, experiences; taps into the healing power of time in nature; seeks the profound spiritual lessons of gardening; delves into the scientific mysteries of plant life; provides healthy abundance for the cafeteria farm-to-table program; and ministers to the community by providing alternative, superior food sources.

In practical terms, it means that students are thriving, working and building character while growing delicious and healthy food in the fresh air “Where Shines the Big Virginia Sun!”