Department of Horticulture Organic Farmer Training Program

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the cohort is full. 

The 2023 program takes place on Mondays from 9am-5pm from March 6th-November 13th (NO CLASS Memorial Day, Juneteenth, 4th of July, Labor Day) There is one weekend trip to Traverse City (Saturday through Monday, June 24-26. You can see the full schedule HERE. 
 
How much does the program cost?
Program fees for 2023 are $3,900 plus the cost of books and materials (~$200).

 

There are need and merit-based scholarships for BIPOC farmers from Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park of $3,150 through the OFTP.  Scholarship application is HERE and  financial need form is HERE. Federal Financial Aid is not available for this non-credit certificate program. Greenstone CultivateGrowth Grants of $500 to $1000 can also help pay for the OFTP.  

Do I get credit for the program?  Will I be considered an MSU student?
Program participants do not get college credit for completing the OFTP.  You will receive a Certificate from the Michigan State University Student Organic Farm, Department of Horticulture, and Center for Regional Food Systems upon completion of the program. Program participants are not technically enrolled at MSU.  You can access the libraries, campus dining halls, fitness facilities, computer labs and more!

Occasionally, a current student will choose to have the OFTP count as 3 credits of Independent Study with Katie Brandt or another professor. You would pay for both the OFTP and the MSU credits.

Can I use GI Bill funds or Veterans Benefits to pay for the OFTP?
Historically, GI Bill Funds and Veterans Benefits could not be used to pay for the OFTP. However, there have been some changes and may be options depending on the type of benefits you are attempting to use. Post 9-11 GI Bill Benefits (Ch. 33 benefits), Montgomery GI Bill Benefits (Ch. 30 benefits) or Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits (Ch. 31 benefits) may offer some options.  Also, the Farmer Veteran Coalition’s fellowship fund  awards up to $5k to veterans working in ag or transitioning to careers in agriculture, which may be used for OFTP.

Do you accept AmeriCorps Education Awards?
Yes.

 

Do you accept 529 Plan funds or MET payments?
Yes. We can accept most 529 Plan funds and some MET payments.

 
What kind of work are the graduates of the program doing?
Graduates land in a variety of farming-related jobs after the program, such as managing an existing farm's CSA or production or starting their own urban or rural farm or working in the non-profit food and farming sector. To read more about what our farmers are doing now, check out our OFTP Graduates page.