by Rich Stratton, Assistant Director of Public Relations
Lessons Learned in Michigan’s Muck Fields
Bill Bolthouse’s story began in the rich black soil of Grant, Michigan, where long rows of onions shaped both his childhood and his character. Working alongside his family on their muck farm, Bill learned early what honest labor demanded — often on his knees, pulling weeds under the summer sun. Each season, his dad entrusted him with three-quarters of an acre to manage himself. The deal was simple: He could keep whatever profit he earned.
Bill tried to take shortcuts, tidying the edges while letting weeds take over the middle. His dad quickly saw through it, and the lesson stuck: Real work means doing the whole job and doing it well.
From Family Farm to America’s Leading Carrot Producer
That conviction carried Bill far beyond those onion rows. Though he once imagined a future in missions, he eventually realized God was leading him back to the family business — Bolthouse Farms. There, he helped transform a modest vegetable farm into the nation’s top carrot producer. Under his leadership, Bolthouse Farms didn’t just grow carrots; it reshaped how they were packaged, marketed, and delivered to families across America.
Faith at the Center of Business and Leadership
But for Bill, farming was never just about crops. It was about people and purpose. He saw his work as a mission field — a way to live out his faith every day. Whether managing fields, leading sales, or guiding the business as president, Bill sought to honor Christ in every decision. “You treat people right,” he said. “Run your business like you answer to the Lord — because you do.”
Cultivating a Legacy of Kingdom Impact
From 1996 to 2013, Bill served on Cedarville University’s Board of Trustees, believing deeply in the school’s mission to train young people for Kingdom impact. His name now graces the Bolthouse Center for Music and the upcoming Bolthouse Academic Center, though he’s quick to shrug off the recognition. “I’m not interested in buildings,” he shared. “I want to see kids on fire for Jesus — going out into the world and making a difference.”
Bill recently shared his story on the Cedarville Stories podcast, reflecting on a life on mission — not in a pulpit but in the dirt, at the sales desk, and in the boardroom. His passion is simple: “Before Jesus comes, I want to see as many people in heaven as possible.”
And that’s the legacy he’s still cultivating.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
