Department of Horticulture Organic Farmer Training Program

2025 Program Update!

The MSU Organic Farmer Training Program will have 2 hands-on learning sites for 2025! The OFTP will have a hybrid format with:

• 13 days for hands-on learning at one of 2 farmsites:

• Detroit group @ Keep Growing Detroit farm for 8 days + 2 days with transportation to East Lansing + 3 hands-on days at other farms

• East Lansing group @ the MSU Student Organic Farm for 9 days + 1 day at Keep Growing Detroit + 3 hands-on days at other farms

• 5 Monday field trips + 1 weekend for field trip to visit 20+ sustainable farms together with both groups
• 17 days for interactive online learning together with both groups

You will learn real hands-on farm skills while planning for a farm that fits your values, goals, skills, land and markets. Check out the full schedule to see how the OFTP can help you make your farm dreams a reality. This experience is defined by its learning community of aspiring and beginning farmers, farmworkers, homesteaders, educational gardeners and OFTP instructors who all support each other in learning skills for farming, business planning and creating positive community change. It worked for 2019 graduate Heather Fuson, who says “Before OFTP I had a vision, but when I left I had a plan.”

About

The OFTP teaches aspiring farmers in a mix of hands-on learning at one of 2 farmsites, field trips to 20+ farms and interactive online learning. Participants can choose to learn at Keep Growing Detroit or the MSU Student Organic Farm.

Apply Now

Click here to apply for the program and to learn about scholarship opportunities.

Field and Online Activities

Learn more about what you can expect to do during an OFTP day.

Farm Field Trips

Visit over 20 farms in Detroit, Lansing, Chicago Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Flint.

Guest Speakers

Over a dozen speakers share their expertise, insights, and answer questions throughout the Program.

Program Schedule

View the schedule for the Organic Farmer Training Program, including dates of field trips, hands-on days and online learning days.

Learning Community

Students of the OFTP come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and reflect the diversity of Michigan across a spectrum of demographics, including race, gender, orientation, age and income levels.

Graduate Testimonials

"The skills I've gained created a strong base while starting my own farm business. The experience really solidified my desire to take on farming as my life's work." Carolyn Leadley, Rising Pheasant Farm, Detroit. Read more student testimonials here.