Program Goal
The Organic Farming Certificate program is
committed to successfully preparing graduates to operate their
own farm or community food system endeavor and generally make
a commitment within organic farming and local food production.
Graduates will work closely with existing farmers and advocates
to support and promote sustainable development and educate others
about the organic farming movement.
Learning Outcomes of the Program
MSU
Organic Farming Certificate Program is highly unique. It offers
a full year, hands-on, practical training program in organic farming,
while at the same time engaging students in fully accredited coursework
in organic farming. In addition, the Student Organic Farm is the
ONLY educational cold climate farm that trains and exposes students
to year round distribution of root crops and fresh green vegetables.
The expected outcomes for Organic Farming Certificate Students
are:
- A certificate in organic farming from the Institute for Agricultural
Technology at MichiganStateUniversity
- 40 credits of courses in organic farming and sustainable agriculture
(courses and practicum)
- 1 year of experience on a fully operating certified organic
farm supplying a 50 member, 48 week CSA
- Understanding of agricultural production systems as ecological
systems and the ability to apply this knowledge and perspective
in farm management.
- To become an empowered change agent in the current food systems
and to have the necessary confidence to go out into the world
and start their own farms, businesses, or other projects
- Development of critical thinking skills around food systems
/ organic agriculture
- Management of passive solar greenhouses for cold climate year
round production and harvest
- To establish connections to a local, regional, national, and
global network of people who are active in the sustainable agriculture
movement and access and exposure to a wide variety of job opportunities,
conferences, and organizations
- Professional and personal development of a disciplined lifestyle
and critical thinking
