Michigan State University Organic Farmer Training Program is a 9 month intensive training program in year round organic farming focusing on diversified production of vegetables, flowers, fruits and herbs for local markets. The program emphasizes student learning in hands on farm management and decision making as well as development of necessary farming skills and knowledge.
Students engage in the management of the 10 acre certified organic farm including its 16,000 sqft of passive solar greenhouse space and the SOF production for its primary markets including a 48week CSA, 6 month on campus farm stand, and sales to campus dinning services. Students also develop competencies in farm skills through skills trainings and by engaging in the day to day work and operation of the farm. Hands-on-training is combined with workshops, lectures, readings, and assignments that build participant’s knowledge and understanding of organic farming principles and practices.
The program is designed to give participants a strong background in production skills as well as the knowledge, management, and decision making skills necessary to operate a diversified small farm. Program components include rotations in CSA, Farm Stand, Propagation, and Edible Forest Gardening as well as management and oversight of a production field or garden and development of a Personal Learning Plan.
Program Dates for 2010 cohort are March 1 to November 19th.
This Certificate Program prepares graduates for careers in organic farming, urban agriculture / community gardening, and other sustainable agriculture related careers. Program participants who satisfactorily complete the program will earn a Certificate from MSU Student Organic Farm and MSU Department of Horticulture.
This program is one-of-a-kind as students learn by operating a 4-season, 48 week Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA) that provides fresh and stored vegetables year round to more than 100 families. In the summer season, fresh herbs, flowers and fruit are also included in the shares. In addition to traditional field scale production, the farm uses unheated passive , solar, greenhouses and cold storage facilities to operate the year round CSA. A 2/3 acre permaculture site and management of laying hens and bees are also important components to the program. Other independent learning projects and management opportunities are key components of the Certificate Program.
This program was developed because the need for small scale, organic growers is increasing every day. All people who wish to promote sustainability through local food systems are great candidates for this program including:
1) New and Begining Farmers: Individuals seeking knowledge and experience in organic and year round farming who wish to operate their own farm or work as a highly skilled employee or manager of an organic farming operation. Farmers who are considering building or restructuring their operations around direct marketing of local organic vegetables, fruits and flowers and year round production using passive solar greenhouses (hoophouses) and season extension.
2) Urban and Community Farmers and Gardeners, Educators: People seeking to contribute to personal, local and national food security by developing a less centralized food system that focuses on small scale diversified and year round production suitable for urban and peri-urban environments. Educators wanting to incorporate organic and sustainable food system topics into their programs.
3) Current Students Interested in Sustainable Agriculture: Students interested in organic farming, sustainability, environmental science, environmental / experiential education, agroecology, and other related careers. Students at colleges or universities with gardens or farms but no supporting agriculture or farming courses. Students interested in starting their own sustainable businesses or organizations involving local and organic food production.
To learn more about the program you can read up on the History, walk through the typical day of a student, or check in on the Current Class of Students.
To learn more about the program you can read up on the History, walk through the typical day of a student, or check in on the Current Class of Students.
