Katie Brandt
Katie Brandt’s two decades of farming experience inform her every day when she is working alongside aspiring and beginning farmers to translate their skills and vision into attainable farm goals and farm business plans. Her main project is teaching and organizing the MSU Organic Farmer Training Program, which is a mix of field trips, online and on-farm learning to help people make their farm dreams a reality. In 2023, the OFTP added a new learning site at Keep Growing Detroit, so people can choose to learn in Detroit or at the MSU Student Organic Farm in East Lansing.
Katie also leads the Michigan Sustainable Farm Mentors Program and is planning Michigan’s mentorship program for the new USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program. She works with Michigan SARE coordinator Sarah Fronczak to promote SARE grants and resources, assist SARE grant authors, map beginning farmer resources, and connect farmers of color and underserved producers with SARE.
Katie spent 5 years as a farmworker on small-scale, organic farms before co-founding Groundswell Community Farm in West Michigan. Over a dozen years, Groundswell grew from 2 farmers tilling bare land with hand tools into a successful farm employing 10 farm workers to grow over $200,000 of vegetables annually on 7 acres. During that time, she attended Grand Valley State University, where she designed an on-farm research project about organic controls for Striped Cucumber Beetles to earn an MS in Biology. Outside of work, Katie enjoys biking, playing with her 11-year-old son and enjoying time with her partner Jill.
Related Work
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Join the 2024 MSU Organic Farmer Training Program in Detroit or East Lansing
Published on October 3, 2023
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New USDA funding supports mentors for farmers transitioning to organic production
Published on October 2, 2023
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Apply now for four SARE grant programs to fund farmers, educators and researchers
Published on September 15, 2023
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Congratulations to 17 SARE grant awardees in 2023
Published on September 15, 2023
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Join the Northern Michigan Small Farms Conference on-farm on August 14
Published on August 1, 2023
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Dean Baas recognized as an NCR-SARE Hero
Published on June 26, 2023
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Mentors matter for new farmers
Published on February 28, 2023
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Sustainable agriculture grants for training farm educators and graduate student research
Published on February 28, 2023
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New video series shares tips for farmers selling to local restaurants, retailers and institutions
Published on January 24, 2023