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This training program is open and perfect for anyone with some farming experience and you desire greater depth of knowledge and experience with organic farming, especially vegetable production and marketing. For a chance to see what the farm grows and how you can participate in a tour. The Student Organic Farm is offering tours on: Aug 20 5:30-7 where you can also see the CSA distribution in action Sept 8 3-4:30 Oct 12 3-4:30 Nov 16 3-4 Dec 3 506 (includes CSA distribution) Remember that the SOF has production in the field and hoophouses so you see extended season in action ========================= Now accepting applications for 2010 Cohort of the Organic Farmer Training Program @ the Michigan State University Student Organic Farm!!!!!! Michigan State University's 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. Students engage in the management of the 10-acre certified organic farm including passive solar greenhouses used for year round production in cold climates and heated only by the sun. Students also manage the SOF garden and field production for the farm's primary markets, including a 48-week CSA, 6-month on-campus farm stand, and sales to campus dinning services. Students develop competencies in farm skills through skill training and by engaging in the farm's day-to-day work and operation. Hands-on training combined with workshops, lectures, readings, and assignments build participants' knowledge and understanding of organic farming principles and practices. The program is designed to give participants strong production skills as well as the knowledge, management, and decision making skills necessary to operate a diversified small farm. Program participants include new and beginning farmers, urban and community farmers and gardeners, educators, and those interested in local or organic agriculture. This full time intensive program starts March 1, 2010 and runs through November 19, 2010. Space is limited Rolling admissions Application review begins Sept 1. The Organic Farmer Training Program was developed to address the increasing need for small-scale organic growers. We prepare participants to operate their own farm or community food system endeavor. Those who complete the program will be qualified to operate small-scale farms, work closely with other farmers, and be advocates of local food systems based on their first-hand experience with local organic food production, management and marketing. What does the OFTP have to offer? * One full growing season of experience operating a certified organic farm * Management of a passive solar greenhouse for cold climate year-round production * Connections to a local, regional, national and global network of people active in the sustainable agriculture movement * Access and exposure to a variety of job opportunities, conferences and organizations * Knowledge and skills in * Soil fertility & management * Compost production & use * Insect, disease & weed management * Vegetable & fruit production * Flower & herb production * Crop planning & scheduling * Harvest & post-harvest handling * Transplant production * Passive solar greenhouse management * Direct & wholesale marketing Visit www.msuorganifarm.org for full program description and application or contact us at [log in to unmask] or 517-230-7987 Jeremy Moghtader MSU Student Organic Farm Organic Farmer Training Program www.msuorganicfarm.org Farm 517-230-7987 ******************************************************** To unsubscribe from SANET-MG: 1- Visit http://lists.sare.org/archives/sanet-mg.html to unsubscribe or; 2- Send a message to <[log in to unmask]> from the address subscribed to the list. Type "unsubscribe sanet-mg" in the body of the message. Visit the SANET-MG archives at: http://lists.sare.org/archives/sanet-mg.html. Questions? Visit http://www.sare.org/about/sanetFAQ.htm. For more information on grants and other resources available through the SARE program, please visit http://www.sare.org. If you would like to access previous postings to the Mich-Organic listserv you can copy and paste the following URL into your browser address bar http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html