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4. New MSU Program Offers Organic Farming Experience
8/8/06
Contact:
Francie
Todd
The program, offered through the
Increasing interest in organic foods at both the consumer and producer levels
led to the development of the program, said Eunice Foster, associate dean for
undergraduate and certificate programs in the
“With the increased interest in organic foods and public willingness to
pay a premium for them, a growing number of farmers are looking into organic
production,” Foster said. “As a land-grant institution, MSU should
be studying and investigating all aspects of agricultural production that can
benefit farmers in
“The requests from students and organic farmers for classes and
educational programs about organic farming began more than seven years
ago,” said John Biernbaum, MSU professor of horticulture and one of the
designers of the certificate program. “In the meantime, we have
been learning from organic farmers and gaining knowledge and experience through
research and operation of the Student Organic Farm on campus. The faculty,
staff and students involved in the Student Organic Farm are ready and looking
forward to getting the certificate program started.”
Biernbaum noted that many of the prospective students inquiring about the
program do not have a farm background.
“They have limited growing or gardening experience but a commitment to
being involved in raising food for people they know,” he said. “We
will start at the beginning with the basics and an integrative and creative
approach so students experience diversified production and marketing at the
small-scale and local level.”
In addition to 40 credit hours of coursework in organic farming and year-round
crop production, students will gain practical experience in the management of a
10-acre organic farm and year-round community-supported agriculture program on
campus. The production of crops in both heated and passive solar greenhouses is
a key feature of the program that enables students to gain farming experience
during all of their 12 months on campus. The program includes horticulture
courses covering marketing, greenhouse operation, and production of vegetables,
fruits, transplants, cut flowers and herbs. After a year on campus,
students will also be required to complete a three- to four-month internship or
apprenticeship on a working farm or urban garden.
“We intend that students will learn not only how to grow a wide range of
crops organically but also how to think critically and creatively about
sustainability issues and how to foster community through food systems in
general,” said instructor Corie Pierce, co-manager of the Student Organic
Farm. “We are excited to provide a dynamic, hands-on learning opportunity
for a diverse group of students.”
More information on the organic farming certificate program is available on the
MSU Student Organic Farm Web site at www.msuorganicfarm.com or from
Corie Pierce at 517-355-5191, ext. 1411, or [log in to unmask].
Prospective students are encouraged to visit the farm and meet the
instructors and students. Enrollment is limited and is in progress.
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Organic Vegetable and Crop Outreach Specialist
C.S. Mott Sustainable Food Systems
303 Natural Resources Bldg.
517-353-3542
517-282-3557 (cell)
517-353-3834 (fax)
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