Rural Entrepreneurship Academy gave students the opportunity to take their learning beyond the classroom this summer through a week-long trip across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Jacob Fuller, Lane Sommerfelt, Sam Ludwig, Henry Wiering, and Grant Boyd traveled with program director Kevin Kimle to meet with entrepreneurs, agricultural businesses, and industry leaders while seeing firsthand how businesses contribute to rural communities.
The week-long trip gave students the chance to see lessons from the classroom in action. Traveling from Kansas through Oklahoma and into Texas, the group visited a variety of businesses and organizations, including Juniper Hill Farm, Bourgmont Winery, Sidwell Enterprises, Cactus Feeders, Pantera Energy Company, West Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, and Bingham Family Vineyards.
One of the first stops was Juniper Hill Farm in Lawrence, Kansas, where students met with Scott Thellman and learned about his specialty produce farm. The visit showed students how agricultural businesses can stand out from competitors and build strong relationships with customers.
“Having boots on the ground and observing how Scott has specialized in growing produce and capturing consumers' attention with their farm-to-table pizza nights” was one of the highlights of the student's trip.
As the group continued South, students toured Sidwell Enterprises, where they saw flour mills, food distribution, and other parts of the business before meeting with Brady Sidwell for a discussion. The group then traveled to Cactus Feeders for a tour of its research and development feedlot, followed by stops at businesses and organizations involved in agriculture, energy, tourism, and education.
Beyond the businesses they visited, the trip also gave students the opportunity to learn from one another. Traveling together allowed the group to build relationships while learning more about each other's interests, goals, and business ideas.
For one student, the relationships built throughout the trip became one of the most memorable parts of the experience. Conversations over dinner often centered on the day's activities, previous stops, and current events. These conversations gave students opportunities to hear different viewpoints and think more deeply about the world around them.
“The highlight of the trip was traveling with our small group and building a sense of camaraderie while gaining a deeper understanding of everyone’s passions, interests, and goals,” the student shared. “These discussions challenged me to think critically, consider situations from different perspectives, and ultimately inspired me to adopt a more entrepreneurial mindset by stepping outside my comfort zone and embracing new ideas and opportunities.”
The Rural Entrepreneurship Academy also connects students with entrepreneurs and industry leaders throughout the summer. Through weekly meetings, participants hear personal stories, learn about the challenges business owners have faced, and ask questions about starting and growing a business. These conversations, combined with the experiences from the trip, helped students better understand what it takes to think creatively, take risks, and build a successful business.
“The Rural Entrepreneurship Program has impacted me both personally and professionally by connecting me with an incredible network of peers and entrepreneurs from across the country,” one student reflected. “Wrapping up the summer with a week-long trip through Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas was a spectacular opportunity to see entrepreneurship firsthand and witness how these individuals are creating value and making an impact in their communities.”
The Rural Entrepreneurship Academy trip was more than a week of business tours. It was an opportunity for students to learn from people who are building businesses, strengthen relationships with their peers, and gain new perspectives on their own goals.
Through mentorship, hands-on experiences, and connections with rural entrepreneurs, the program continues to help students turn ideas into opportunities while showing the many ways entrepreneurship can make a difference in rural communities.