Program Goal
The Organic Farmer Training program is committed to successfully preparing graduates to operate their own farm or community food system endeavor. Graduates will be qualified to a run small-scale farms, work closely with existing farmers, and be advocates of local food systems based on first hand experience and training with local organic production.
Learning Outcomes of the Program
MSU Organic Farmer Training Program is highly unique. It offers a 9 month full growing season, hands-on, practical training program in organic farming that is designed to teach both production and management skills in an environment were personalized learning goals and training are emphasized. In addition, the Student Organic Farm is the only educational cold climate farm that trains and exposes students to year round production and distribution of fresh vegetables.
The expected outcomes for Organic Farming Certificate Students
are:
- A certificate in organic farming from Michigan State University Student Organic Farm and Department of Horticulture
- 1 full growing season of experience operating a certified organic farm supplying a 60 share, 48 week CSA, 40 share summer CSA, 6 month on campus Farm Stand, and whole sale accounts to University Dinning Services
- Management of passive solar greenhouses for cold climate year round production and harvest
- Understanding of agricultural production systems as ecological systems and the ability to apply this knowledge and perspective in farm management
- Ability to understand and apply both the theory and practice of organic farming to management of an organic farm
- 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
- 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
- Personal and professional development, teamwork, community building skills
- Development of a Personalized Learning Plan to guide your learning and activities in the program and beyond
Students will gain knowledge and skills in organic production including:
- Organic Soil and Fertility Management
- Compost Production and Use
- Organic Insect and Disease Management
- Organic Weed Management
- Organic Vegetable Production
- Organic Fruit Production
- Organic Flower and Herb Production
- Crop Irrigation
- Crop Planning and Scheduling
- Harvest and Post Harvest Handling of Specialty Crops
- Hand tool and Machinery Use for Garden and Field Scale Production
- Organic Transplant Production
- Passive Solar Greenhouses Structures and Crop Production
- Organic Certification
- Direct and Wholesale Marketing of Organic Crops
This program is designed to be a 9 month, intensive, full time program. The program includes practical hands on management of the Student Organic Farm along with workshops, lectures, skills trainings and learning community activities. All components are important in order for the participants to achieve the outlined learning outcomes. Part time participation is not possible dueo to the intensive nature and structure of the program involving year round production and the emphasis of the cohort as a learning community.
