Michigan
State University is pleased to welcome the inaugural class of
Organic Farming Certificate Program students to campus, beginning
in January 2007. The program consists of practical training and
management of a 10 acre organic farm and course work in organic
farming and year round crop production. In addition, students
are required to complete a 3- 4 month, off-site internship or
apprenticeship on a working farm or urban garden.
This Certificate Program provides both hands-on
learning opportunities at the MSU Student Organic Farm together
with classroom learning to prepare graduates for careers in organic
farming, urban agriculture / community gardening, and other sustainable
agriculture related careers. Some of the courses are available
online with either for-credit or not-for-credit options.
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 50 families. In the summer season, fresh herbs, flowers
and fruit are also included. In addition to traditional field
scale production, the farm uses unheated greenhouses and cold
storage facilities to be the only educational organic farm that
operates a year-round CSA in a cold climate. 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 and more specifically:
- 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.
- Current and New Adult Farmers: Farmers seeking classes and
experience in organic farming. Farmers who are considering converting
to organic or restructuring their operations around direct marketing
of local vegetable, fruits and flowers. Farmers wishing to expand
their business by doing season extension.
- 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. Educators wanting
to incorporate organic and sustainable food system topics into
their programs.
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 Innaugural
Class of Certificate Students.
