Pedro Ghirotti is a graduate student at MSU Horticulture Department, seeking a specialization in organic vegetable production under the guidance of Professor John Biernbaum. Pedro comes from Brazil, where he farmed vegetables organically for 5 years at his family’s farm, marketing to upscale catering business and wholesale distributors. His career change came with the realization that organic farming must keep updated with the latest technologies and production practices. He joined the farm crew to apply scientific knowledge to a real working farm, but also to strengthen his connection to the people who make the farm happen. After the end of his program he plans to work in production and consultancy.
Lindsey is finishing her last year as a Horticulture major and will graduate this spring. Once her degree is finished she hopes to enter a massage program in Asheville, North Carolina where she will relocate for about a year. The skills she has learned at MSU and the Student Organic Farm are sure to help her mold a career in the healing arts. Other than growing food and medicine, Lindsey enjoys cooking, exercise, music, family, friends and group projects.
Nic is a super-senior at MSU, a soon-to-be bachelor of Horticultural Science. He's been at the SOF since 2007, and after graduating looks forward to heading out into other fields to work in production agriculture.
Sam believes that the nexus of whole communities is born within a strong integration of song, ecology, movement, seasonality, and the guerilla visual arts. As a student of horticulture, she has forged a creative path of ecological understanding through intentional living, four-season growing, and the study of group dynamics…a trois d’un coup of experiential education. Her passion for the agricultural arts has taken her on a spiritual odyssey thru Michigan, Vermont, New York, and India, discovering profound meaning in winter vegetable production, raw milk enthusiasm, straw bale construction, and banana-leaf container fabrication.
Ben is a senior in Horticulture and has been a student farmer and the SOF since the fall of 2007. Growing up in suburban Detroit, Ben knew nothing of farming until he came to the Student Organic Farm . Since then, he has found a special place to learn, create, make friends and give meaning and value to his college education. Ben will continue working as a Student Farmer until he graduates in December of 2010 and hopes to see you at the SOF soon!
Brendan Sinclair is a super duper senior majoring in Environmental Studies and Agriscience with a specialization in Environmental Economics and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. He hopes to work with youth development in urban agriculture after he graduates and completes the Peace Corps. He is also a musician, and would like to teach you how to juggle. : )
"Hello! My name is Emma and I am a Zoology major with a specialty in Environmental Biology. Where that will take me, I do not yet know. I DO know that I will be traveling around to different parts of the world to do research and maybe even get to chill with some marine iguanas from the Galapagos! I have been a part of the farm crew since the fall of 2009 and I have enjoyed every second of my time there. I am absolutely in love with the art of organic farming and I will surely use it on a farm of my own someday."
Ginny is a senior and loves her studies in horticulture. She is originally from Grand Rapids but has traveled and lived many places. She loves working on the farm, yoga, old time music, cooking, learning, nature, people, and NPR. She can be found most Saturday evenings dancing in her kitchen listening to a Prairie Home Companion. After graduatingshe is excited about helping to shape Michigan’s food future.
Past Farmers
Mason Bradbury
Samantha
Cooper – Sam is from Berrien Springs, MI. She started
working at the SOF during the fall semester of 2006. She is a
second year student majoring in Animal Science and Preveterinary
Medicine. She hopes to attend the MSU Veterinary College to get
my DVM. She loves being outdoors and traveling. Sam has three
horses, a dog, and a cat. “Anything having to do with nature,
I'm game! Hiking, skydiving, snorkeling, scuba, surfing, white
water rafting, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, swimming, I
want to do them all!
Andy
Fles – Andy began working at the farm in the fall
of ’04. In May of 2007 he will graduate from MSU with a
degree in Horticulture with the goal of managing vineyards/orchards
and possibly bringing vegetable production into the mix someday.
He enjoys long walks on the beach, stargazing, and NASCAR. Andy
likes to get down and dirty at the Farm, and his favorite vegetable
is the Beet, while his favorite food is wine. If he wasn’t
a farmer, Andy would aspire to be a fisherman.
Devin Foote is a graduating senior at MSU majoring in Environmental
Science. He grew up in the East Lansing area, and after going
away for his first year of school found himself homeward bound.
Upon his return he began volunteering at the farm as well as other
local organic farms and enjoyed the community and relationship
that was fostered between the farmer and the family. In his spare
time he enjoys the game of baseball, fishing, family, traveling,
running and reading. He plans to become a Peace Corps volunteer
and eventually return to graduate school in the future.
Mikey Formisano - Mikey began working at the SOF in the fall of 2004 and graduated in
May of 2009. His favorite part of the farm (besides the amazing and
loving community) is walking into a hoophouse on a sunny winter day
when it is 15 degrees outside and 80 degrees in the hoophouse and
taking a deep breath of the humid, oxygen enriched air. It's a rush
of endorphins in the long Michigan winter. He also loves kale, hugs,
and you.
Tim
Heuer – Tim became interested in sustainable agriculture
while taking the SOF Practicum Course in the Fall of ’05.
He has been emotionally attached to the learning experience ever
since. Working on the farm has provided a wonderful integration
to his current educational pursuits in Landscape Architecture.
He enjoys bike riding, adventure racing, reading, sketching, traveling,
hiking, and well-attended potlucks. His favorite vegetable is
Eggplant.
Trevor
Johnson - Trevor is a junior studying Horticulture. Originally
from Olympia, WA, he has been working at the SOF for 4 years.
He loves the work, and he enjoys learning about permaculture and
giving guided tours of the farm. Trevor is a Bailey Scholar at
MSU, and plans on continuing his community garden work in Ferndale,
MI after graduation.
Aryn
LaBrake – Aryn is a sophomore at MSU and is currently
a student farmer at the SOF. She is originally from Bethlehem,
PA, and is studying Zoology with a concentration in Ecology. She
started working at the Student Organic Farm and getting involved
in EFFS to learn more about organic food systems. “I eventually
want to do field research about how animals are affected by an
ecosystem and vice versa.” Her favorite vegetables are squash
and sweet potatoes.
Holly
Markham - Holly is a junior at MSU in Environmental Studies.
She is most recently from Kalamazoo but she grew up in California
before moving to MI in fifth grade. She started volunteering at
the farm last fall and really liked the environment, and the idea
of producing food for herself and for her community. As she learned
more about sustainable food systems in class, she wanted to put
it into practice herself, so she applied for the internship for
this summer. Her other interests include bicycling, gardening,
art, painting, trips, and meeting people. It is hard to say what
she will do in the future, but she is looking at the experience
at the farm to really help shape some of her future plans. After
graduation she has always thought about the Peace Corps. Other
than that, she is keeping her options open.
Anne Misener - Anne just graduated
this May from MSU in Urban Planning. Congrats, Anne!! She grew
up in Detroit and then lived all around southern MI. Most recently
she has lived in Lansing for the past 10 years. She lives with
her partner Woody and her 7-year-old daughter named Mia, who is
just finishing first grade at Red Cedar Elementary. Anne has known
about the farm for a while now and has been volunteering for a
few years, and is really excited to be an intern. With her work
in urban planning, Anne has done a lot with urban gardens and
urban agriculture and she has a strong interest in local, sustainable
food systems and food security. She spends most of her time with
her family volunteering on the PTA, running, and cooking. She
wants to continue to work in small-scale local agriculture, and
eventually do more economic development and food system planning.
She possibly will go back to school in a program like CARRS
Mitra
Sticklen - Mitra is a junior at MSU in IBS Environmental
Policy and Anthropology. She grew up in the East Lansing/Okemos
area. As a RISE student here at MSU, she found out about the farm
and volunteered and she really loved the positive atmosphere of
the farm and wanted to be a part of it. Her interests include
cooking, biking, and reading. Recently, Mitra was elected to the
ELFCO Board! She will definitely provide some young, passionate
energy to that organization. Mitra also played a main role in
helping to organize the Earth Day Café that was held on
campus on Earth Day. In her future, she sees herself possibly
pursuing another degree, likely a PhD in anthropology, and working
in food systems.
Lia Spaniolo
Amanda
Jo Taylor – Amanda is a junior in Horticulture
and enjoys the rewarding work on the Farm. She enjoys rutabegas
and long walks on the beach…sometimes simultaneously. “Growing
plants from seed is such a magical process. I am still amazed
by it – just like I was in first grade.” After graduation,
Amanda plans on working in public gardens to share her passion
for gardening and nature.
Sonia Thompson
Luke
Tomczak - Luke grew
up in Lowell, MI, and was a sports star in high school. (Corie
is going to challenge him to a game of hoops once her finger is
better.) Besides basketball, he was on the baseball, football
and golf teams. If his shoulder would get better, he would show
off more of his athletic skills. Luke is highly interested in
all aspects of sustainable development. He looks at working at
the farm and this internship as a way to help expose him to sustainable
agriculture. He also wants to look at alternative energy programs
and businesses and continue to learn about all that is going on
in the world of sustainability. Perhaps one day he will be a sustainability
analyst leading the way in alternative energy sources.
Pedro Ghirotti is a graduate student at MSU Horticulture Department, seeking a specialization in organic vegetable production under the guidance of Professor John Biernbaum. Pedro comes from Brazil, where he farmed vegetables organically for 5 years at his family’s farm, marketing to upscale catering business and wholesale distributors. His career change came with the realization that organic farming must keep updated with the latest technologies and production practices. He joined the farm crew to apply scientific knowledge to a real working farm, but also to strengthen his connection to the people who make the farm happen. After the end of his program he plans to work in production and consultancy.
Nic is a super-senior at MSU, a soon-to-be bachelor of Horticultural Science. He's been at the SOF since 2007, and after graduating looks forward to heading out into other fields to work in production agriculture.
Sam believes that the nexus of whole communities is born within a strong integration of song, ecology, movement, seasonality, and the guerilla visual arts. As a student of horticulture, she has forged a creative path of ecological understanding through intentional living, four-season growing, and the study of group dynamics…a trois d’un coup of experiential education. Her passion for the agricultural arts has taken her on a spiritual odyssey thru Michigan, Vermont, New York, and India, discovering profound meaning in winter vegetable production, raw milk enthusiasm, straw bale construction, and banana-leaf container fabrication. 
Ben is a senior in Horticulture and has been a student farmer and the SOF since the fall of 2007. Growing up in suburban Detroit, Ben knew nothing of farming until he came to the Student Organic Farm . Since then, he has found a special place to learn, create, make friends and give meaning and value to his college education. Ben will continue working as a Student Farmer until he graduates in December of 2010 and hopes to see you at the SOF soon!
Brendan Sinclair is a super duper senior majoring in Environmental Studies and Agriscience with a specialization in Environmental Economics and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. He hopes to work with youth development in urban agriculture after he graduates and completes the Peace Corps. He is also a musician, and would like to teach you how to juggle. : ) 
Ginny is a senior and loves her studies in horticulture. She is originally from Grand Rapids but has traveled and lived many places. She loves working on the farm, yoga, old time music, cooking, learning, nature, people, and NPR. She can be found most Saturday evenings dancing in her kitchen listening to a Prairie Home Companion. After graduatingshe is excited about helping to shape Michigan’s food future.
Samantha
Cooper – Sam is from Berrien Springs, MI. She started
working at the SOF during the fall semester of 2006. She is a
second year student majoring in Animal Science and Preveterinary
Medicine. She hopes to attend the MSU Veterinary College to get
my DVM. She loves being outdoors and traveling. Sam has three
horses, a dog, and a cat. “Anything having to do with nature,
I'm game! Hiking, skydiving, snorkeling, scuba, surfing, white
water rafting, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, swimming, I
want to do them all!
Andy
Fles – Andy began working at the farm in the fall
of ’04. In May of 2007 he will graduate from MSU with a
degree in Horticulture with the goal of managing vineyards/orchards
and possibly bringing vegetable production into the mix someday.
He enjoys long walks on the beach, stargazing, and NASCAR. Andy
likes to get down and dirty at the Farm, and his favorite vegetable
is the Beet, while his favorite food is wine. If he wasn’t
a farmer, Andy would aspire to be a fisherman. 
Mikey Formisano - Mikey began working at the SOF in the fall of 2004 and graduated in
May of 2009. His favorite part of the farm (besides the amazing and
loving community) is walking into a hoophouse on a sunny winter day
when it is 15 degrees outside and 80 degrees in the hoophouse and
taking a deep breath of the humid, oxygen enriched air. It's a rush
of endorphins in the long Michigan winter. He also loves kale, hugs,
and you. 
Tim
Heuer – Tim became interested in sustainable agriculture
while taking the SOF Practicum Course in the Fall of ’05.
He has been emotionally attached to the learning experience ever
since. Working on the farm has provided a wonderful integration
to his current educational pursuits in Landscape Architecture.
He enjoys bike riding, adventure racing, reading, sketching, traveling,
hiking, and well-attended potlucks. His favorite vegetable is
Eggplant.
Trevor
Johnson - Trevor is a junior studying Horticulture. Originally
from Olympia, WA, he has been working at the SOF for 4 years.
He loves the work, and he enjoys learning about permaculture and
giving guided tours of the farm. Trevor is a Bailey Scholar at
MSU, and plans on continuing his community garden work in Ferndale,
MI after graduation. 
Aryn
LaBrake – Aryn is a sophomore at MSU and is currently
a student farmer at the SOF. She is originally from Bethlehem,
PA, and is studying Zoology with a concentration in Ecology. She
started working at the Student Organic Farm and getting involved
in EFFS to learn more about organic food systems. “I eventually
want to do field research about how animals are affected by an
ecosystem and vice versa.” Her favorite vegetables are squash
and sweet potatoes.
Holly
Markham - Holly is a junior at MSU in Environmental Studies.
She is most recently from Kalamazoo but she grew up in California
before moving to MI in fifth grade. She started volunteering at
the farm last fall and really liked the environment, and the idea
of producing food for herself and for her community. As she learned
more about sustainable food systems in class, she wanted to put
it into practice herself, so she applied for the internship for
this summer. Her other interests include bicycling, gardening,
art, painting, trips, and meeting people. It is hard to say what
she will do in the future, but she is looking at the experience
at the farm to really help shape some of her future plans. After
graduation she has always thought about the Peace Corps. Other
than that, she is keeping her options open.
Mitra
Sticklen - Mitra is a junior at MSU in IBS Environmental
Policy and Anthropology. She grew up in the East Lansing/Okemos
area. As a RISE student here at MSU, she found out about the farm
and volunteered and she really loved the positive atmosphere of
the farm and wanted to be a part of it. Her interests include
cooking, biking, and reading. Recently, Mitra was elected to the
ELFCO Board! She will definitely provide some young, passionate
energy to that organization. Mitra also played a main role in
helping to organize the Earth Day Café that was held on
campus on Earth Day. In her future, she sees herself possibly
pursuing another degree, likely a PhD in anthropology, and working
in food systems.
Amanda
Jo Taylor – Amanda is a junior in Horticulture
and enjoys the rewarding work on the Farm. She enjoys rutabegas
and long walks on the beach…sometimes simultaneously. “Growing
plants from seed is such a magical process. I am still amazed
by it – just like I was in first grade.” After graduation,
Amanda plans on working in public gardens to share her passion
for gardening and nature.
Luke
Tomczak - Luke grew
up in Lowell, MI, and was a sports star in high school. (Corie
is going to challenge him to a game of hoops once her finger is
better.) Besides basketball, he was on the baseball, football
and golf teams. If his shoulder would get better, he would show
off more of his athletic skills. Luke is highly interested in
all aspects of sustainable development. He looks at working at
the farm and this internship as a way to help expose him to sustainable
agriculture. He also wants to look at alternative energy programs
and businesses and continue to learn about all that is going on
in the world of sustainability. Perhaps one day he will be a sustainability
analyst leading the way in alternative energy sources.