Garrett Schardt '22 graduates as first agricultural science major from Concordia

Graduate Garrett Schardt was Concordia Nebraska’s first agricultural science major to complete the new program, which was introduced in the fall semester of 2019. Garrett graduated in the spring of 2022 with his Bachelor’s in Agricultural Science. The farm is an important part of Garrett’s life, and it is why he is working there today after graduation.  

While Concordia’s agriculture program is still developing, Garrett wanted the aspect of Concordia’s small community, Christian campus and brand-new agriculture program. “I wanted to go to a smaller college but still get an ag degree while learning more about my faith,” said Garrett.  

For Garrett, the few things that stood out most were the people he met and the pressure he did not feel while attending. “There are so many wonderful people at this university, and you don’t have to worry about the pressure of sharing your religious beliefs because of it being a Lutheran institution.”  

Many accredit Garrett as a hard worker and a significant role model to follow, including professor of agriculture science Dr. Dennis Brink. “Garrett set the standard for future ag students,” said Brink. “He has always been honest, positive and dependable. His final capstone project was very non-traditional. The project required making connections with four mentors for the project. He had an advisory committee on the project that included his local banker, Farm Service Agency loan manager, Farm Credit Service Financial Officer, and extension Beef Specialist. Following his final presentation, his mentors shared that it was good working with Garrett. He was a tremendous person to assist in developing his experiences in agriculture through the agricultural science major.”   

Concordia Ag students learn agribusiness, food science, animal science and plant science. This program helps students become even more well-rounded to help future employers look for those with good experience. “Dr. Brink was a great starting point for the ag program here at Concordia,” Garrett says. “The way he can correlate both ag and Christianity together is great, and I couldn’t have asked for a better professor.”  

While pursuing his degree, Garrett was also making plays on the football field for head coach Patrick Daberkow. Standing out on the football field played a huge role during his time at Concordia. Garrett had huge career successes earning 2020 and 2021 Great Plains Athletic Conference honors, First Team All-GPAC awards, recognition as a 2021 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Honorable Mention All-American and statistical totals of 72 receptions for 1,188 yards and nine touchdowns.  

After recently graduating, Garrett now works back on his family farm in Davenport, Nebraska. It is what he enjoys doing most. Garrett says, “I plan to continue to get more involved with both the farm as well as the community.” 

Graduate Garrett Schardt was Concordia Nebraska’s first agricultural science major to complete the new program, which was introduced in the fall semester of 2019. Garrett graduated in the spring of 2022 with his Bachelor’s in Agricultural Science. The farm is an important part of Garrett’s life, and it is why he is working there today after graduation.  

While Concordia’s agriculture program is still developing, Garrett wanted the aspect of Concordia’s small community, Christian campus and brand-new agriculture program. “I wanted to go to a smaller college but still get an ag degree while learning more about my faith,” said Garrett.  

For Garrett, the few things that stood out most were the people he met and the pressure he did not feel while attending. “There are so many wonderful people at this university, and you don’t have to worry about the pressure of sharing your religious beliefs because of it being a Lutheran institution.”  

Many credit Garrett as a hard worker and a significant role model to follow, including professor of agriculture science Dr. Dennis Brink. “Garrett set the standard for future ag students,” said Brink. “He has always been honest, positive and dependable. His final capstone project was very non-traditional. The project required making connections with four mentors for the project. He had an advisory committee on the project that included his local banker, Farm Service Agency loan manager, Farm Credit Service Financial Officer, and extension Beef Specialist. Following his final presentation, his mentors shared that it was good working with Garrett. He was a tremendous person to assist in developing his experiences in agriculture through the agricultural science major.”   

Concordia Ag students learn agribusiness, food science, animal science and plant science. This program helps students become even more well-rounded to help future employers look for those with good experience. “Dr. Brink was a great starting point for the ag program here at Concordia,” Garrett says. “The way he can correlate both ag and Christianity together is great, and I couldn’t have asked for a better professor.”  

While pursuing his degree, Garrett was also making plays on the football field for head coach Patrick Daberkow. Standing out on the football field played a huge role during his time at Concordia. Garrett had huge career successes earning 2020 and 2021 Great Plains Athletic Conference honors, First Team All-GPAC awards, recognition as a 2021 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Honorable Mention All-American and statistical totals of 72 receptions for 1,188 yards and nine touchdowns.  

After recently graduating, Garrett now works back on his family farm in Davenport, Nebraska. It is what he enjoys doing most. Garrett says, “I plan to continue to get more involved with the farm as well as the community.” 

Interested in pursuing agricultural science at Concordia? Learn more here.