2010 ANNUAL REPORT Minnesota Zoo

Sharing His Knowledge
A visit to the Wells Fargo
Family Farm isn’t complete
without meeting Zoo
Volunteer Andy Anderson. A
retired farmer, Andy spends
each Monday and Thursday
volunteering at the Wells Fargo
Family Farm, helping Zoo guests
of all ages and walks of life
understand the importance of
family farms.
At 90-years-young, Andy enjoys sharing his
knowledge of what operating a family farm
really means, and bringing smiles to guests
who are charmed by their delightful host.
He even has a loyal following of guests who
come just to see him.
After he retired from farming and moved
from Iowa to Apple Valley in 2003 to be
closer to his family, Andy began to visit the
Zoo for the exercise. He still walks two miles
each morning, usually on the Northern Trail.
Shortly after experiencing the beauty of the
Zoo, Andy chose to volunteer at the Wells
Fargo Family Farm. He’s well aware that
most Minnesotans have no idea where their
food comes from or how food gets from the
farm to their tables, so he gives back to the
community by sharing his knowledge
of farming and of what a working family
farm entails.
Andy has helped thousands of Zoo guests
understand the past, present and future of
farming, and he has found deep reward in
volunteering side by side with teens, young
adults and seniors. In 2010, Andy not only
helped celebrate the tenth anniversary of the
Wells Fargo Family Farm, he also celebrated
his 90th birthday at the Zoo.
The Zoo is grateful to Andy and all of
our volunteers. Since 2003, Andy has
contributed more than 1,300 volunteer
hours to the Zoo, and we hope that
number will continue to climb for many
years to come.
Minnesota Zoo 2010 ANNUAL REPORT
“ When you have actually
raised livestock and
have seen it born, and
its full life cycle, it gives
you a different sense
of what raising animals
is all about. The Wells
Fargo Family Farm is the
best way for families
today to see a working
farm.”
Andy Anderson
Minnesota Zoo Volunteer
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