In-Person On-Farm Learning for Beginning Farmers

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The 2021 MSU Organic Farmer Training Program – In-Person On-Farm Learning for Beginning Farmers Amidst COVID-19

The 2021 MSU Organic Farmer Training Program (OFTP) will be a 50/50 mix of field and online learning, including 11 hands-on days at the MSU Student Organic Farm, 6 field trip days and 16 interactive online class days. Check out the full schedule of in-person on-farm learning for beginning farmers and OFTP’s COVID-19 protocols for masking, distancing and other precautions to see the plan for safe, on-farm learning. Join the 2021 cohort of aspiring and beginning farmers, farmworkers, homesteaders and educational gardeners to make your farm vision a reality! Online learning can create a strong learning community as Loretta Crum explains, “The give-and-take of comments and discussion I’ve received in this online course have convinced me that I can make my farm match where I am in my life and what I want to accomplish over the next 10-20 years. It’s been fun to watch the rest of the students go through a similar process.”

In-Person On-Farm Learning for Beginning Farmers:

The 15-acre Student Organic Farm and its half acre of passive solar hoophouses, is the learning laboratory for the Organic Farmer Training Program (OFTP).  The OFTP teaches aspiring farmers in a 50/50 mix of field and classroom activities every Monday from March to November.  In the field, everyone participates in hands-on activities, farm walks and equipment demonstrations. In the classroom, we focus on small group activities, full group discussions, guest speakers and participant presentations. You will also visit 20+ Michigan farms! Outside of class, video lectures, readings and practical assignments, like writing a Farm Business Plan will connect learning themes from the class to YOUR farm goals. The OFTP is a vibrant, diverse and positive learning community where students learn from each other and share their unique skills, experience and goals.

The OFTP uses different themes each week to give graduates the working knowledge of farm production, management, marketing, and business operations necessary to operate a diversified small farm. Each graduate leaves with their complete Farm Business Plan and earns a Certificate from MSU Student Organic Farm, MSU Department of Horticulture and the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems.

Email msufarm@msu.edu or call/text Katie Brandt at 616-885-7776 with questions.

Learn more and apply:

http://www.msuorganicfarm.org/organic-farmer-training-program.html

 

• Learn More About Other Beginning Farmer Training Programs Here.

• Find Tons of Useful Farming Resources Here.