Organic farming is one of the fastest growing and expanding areas of agriculture. There are viable business opportunities for small-scale producers to meet the consumer demand for fresh, local vegetables, fruits and herbs by marketing at the growing number of farmer's markets, community supported agriculture (CSA) farms, as well as other direct and wholesale markets. This program is a 12-month (January to December) introduction to intensive and year-round organic farming. The organic farming program consists of course work, the operation of a diversified small-scale organic farm on the Michigan State University campus, and a 16-week placement training or apprenticeship on a working farm or with a community or urban garden project. Emphasis is on the production of vegetables, fruit, herbs, and cut flowers with CSA and farm stand marketing. Winter production occurs in unheated and heated greenhouses. The curriculum includes how to build and maintain soil quality and fertility primarily with on-farm resources and farming methods that cultivate a diverse, profitable and resilient farm. No previous farming experience is required. This program is especially suitable for applicants seeking a new direction and employment related to organic farming and gardening, community and urban garden projects, and other food system and environmental careers.
Requirements for Organic Farming
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1. |
All of the following courses (26 credits): |
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AT |
045 |
Agricultural Communications |
2 |
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AT |
071 |
Technical Mathematics |
2 |
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HRT |
242 |
Passive Solar Greenhouses for Protected Cultivation |
1 |
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HRT |
243 |
Organic Transplant Production |
1 |
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HRT |
251 |
Organic Farming Principles and Practices |
3 |
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HRT |
252 |
Organic Certification and Farm Plans |
1 |
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HRT |
253 |
Compost Production and Use |
1 |
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HRT |
256 |
Organic Produce Direct Marketing |
1 |
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HRT |
257 |
Organic Produce Wholesale Marketing |
1 |
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HRT |
258 |
Study a Farm |
3 |
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HRT |
259A |
Student Organic Farm Practicum I |
3 |
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HRT |
259B |
Student Organic Farm Practicum II |
4 |
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HRT |
259C |
Student Organic Farm Practicum III |
3 |
2. |
One of the following courses (2 or 3 credits): |
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HRT |
109 |
Introduction to Applied Plant Science |
2 |
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PLB |
105 |
Plant Biology |
3 |
3. |
Complete a minimum of 10 credits from the following: |
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ANS |
110 |
Introductory Animal Agriculture |
4 |
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AT |
291 |
Selected Topics in Agricultural Technology |
2 |
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AT |
293 |
Professional Internship in Agricultural Technology |
3 |
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CSS |
101 |
Introduction to Crop Science |
3 |
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CSS |
110 |
Computer Applications in Agronomy |
2 |
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CSS |
201 |
Forage Crops |
3 |
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CSS |
210 |
Fundamentals of Soil Science |
3 |
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CSS |
212 |
Advanced Crop Production |
2 |
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CSS |
360 |
Soil Biology |
3 |
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HRT |
221 |
Greenhouse Structures and Management |
3 |
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HRT |
244 |
Culinary and Medicinal Herbs |
1 |
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HRT |
245 |
Specialty Cut Flowers |
1 |
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HRT |
290 |
Independent Study in Horticulture |
1 or 2 |
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HRT |
332 |
Tree Fruit Production and Management |
2 |
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HRT |
335 |
Berry Crop Production and Management |
1 |
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HRT |
341 |
Vegetable Production and Management |
3 |
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PLP |
105 |
Fundementals of Applied Plant Pathology |
2 |