2017 Cornerstone University Magazine & Annual Report

LIVING
COMMUNITY
PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY
MATT BONZO’S FARM REACHES OUT
TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD
BY DAWN PICK BENSON AND MICAH CRITTENDEN (B.A. ’14)
The smell of fresh-picked peppers and onions simmering on the stove. A plate neatly arrayed with
red, orange and yellow heirloom tomatoes. Lively conversation around the table, eventually flowing
onto the porch. The wind gently rustling the trees as the sun sets and paints the sky with deep pinks
and blues for as far as the eye can see.
On any given week, a similar experience plays out at the home of Dr. Matt Bonzo, professor of
philosophy and director of the Institute for Christianity & Cultural Engagement at Cornerstone,
and his wife Dorothe. As owners of Small Wonders Farm in Sand Lake, Mich., Matt and Dorothe
created a space in which visitors have been experiencing community, finding respite and learning
together for more than 20 years.
CULTIVATING COMMUNITY
After accepting a position at Cornerstone in 1998, Matt and Dorothe chose to make their home
in the country to ensure they’d have plenty of room for a garden. Little did they know this would
lead to something more: creating their own community supported agriculture (CSA) initiative
to provide others with fresh, affordable garden produce. Their first year began with five families
receiving weekly produce, and over the years it’s grown to as many as 32.
As the Bonzos learned more about the CSA model and the historical importance of agricultural
practices, they began to formulate a philosophy for what a good farm looks like. For them, this
includes intentionally cultivating community. For example, each season kicks off with a planting
picnic and concludes with a harvest party. “We make the rows, and then families come and plant the
seeds,” says Dorothe. “It’s a lot of fun, and we even have a potluck at the end of the day.”
In recent years the farm has also supplied meat and vegetables to local businesses, organizations
and individuals, including Thanksgiving turkeys, pulled pork, ham and fresh vegetables for several
Cornerstone community events.
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