JOIN THE CREW AT THE

SOF

Position:  Farm Crew Member

Location:  MSU Student Organic Farm, located on College Road, ½ mile south of Jolly Road, about 3 ½ miles south of the main MSU campus

Hours: Part time, 8-20 hours/week

Farm Description:  The MSU Student Organic Farm is a 10-acre educational organic farm.  We run a 60-share year-round CSA, a seasonal on-campus farm stand, and are researching four season organic growing.  We grow over 70 types of vegetables, 30 types of cut flowers and raise chickens and honeybees.  We run a yearlong intensive farmer training program as well as many community outreach and volunteer activities.

Position Description:  Crew members work part time during MSU semesters.  Job tasks include all necessary farm labor including seeding, transplanting, irrigation, weeding, harvest and more.  We are looking for hard working, dependable MSU students to work beginning fall semester of 2008 at least through spring semester of ‘09.  Farm work can be hot, cold, wet, dirty, tiring and extremely rewarding.  We offer vegetables to bring home and many amazing learning opportunities.  We work in all weather conditions so applicants must be aware of the weather and must be able to supply proper clothing (boots, rain gear, hat, etc.).

Qualifications:  Applicant should be a hard working, dependable team player.  Previous physical labor experience is preferred.  Flexibility and a willingness to learn is necessary.  Availability from the middle to end of August through April or through next summer.  We prefer to hire workers who are interested in staying on to work on the SOF crew as they continue their studies at MSU.

Pay: Starting at $7.40/hr with opportunity for raises based on performance and previous experience.

To Apply:  Please answer the following questions and email them to Tomm Becker at tommbecker@gmail.com.  Upon reviewing applications we will set up interviews individually.  Application deadline is August 29.

1.                  What do you know about the Student Organic Farm?

2.                  Why are you interested in farm work?  Why at the SOF?

3.                  What do you study at MSU?  What year are you?

4.                  What are your previous work experiences and/or relevant non-work experiences?

5.                  What interests you about organic and sustainable food systems?

6.                  Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?

7.                  What is your work availability for the fall semester?

8.                  What is the maximum number of hours you can work per week during fall semester?  The minimum?  What is the ideal number of hours you can work per week?

9.                  Please list the names and phone numbers for two work references.

All 2008 SOF Workshops are free to SOF certificate students and $15 for all others

For more information and
TO RESERVE A PLACE IN ANY OF OUR WORKSHOPS
Please e-mail msufarm@msu.edu with “Workshop Reservation” in the subject line
or call (517) 230-7987

June

Workshop: Silk Screening on Textiles
Instructor: Kelsey Hakeem
Description: In this session we will go through the process start to finish of printing on fabric (t-shirts, tote bags, linens, etc). There are a variety of techniques possible but this workshop will demonstrate a technique using hand-cut film to create a stencil that can be used and washed repeatedly. If times allows, we can also try some one-time use paper cut stencils. Participants may bring blank t-shirts of their own if they would like to print something.
When: Sunday, June 1, 2pm
Where: Student Organic Farm - CSA Room

Workshop: Songwriting
Instructor: Chris Dorman
Description: An informative and entertaining look into the creative process behind songwriting. Participants will engage in an open and light-hearted setting, and as a group will create a brand new song.
When: Wednesday, June 18, 7:00 pm
Where: Student Organic Farm - The Wash Pack

July

Workshop: Honeybees: How to care for them
Instructor: Joe Riddle
Description: Honeybees are excellent pollinators for a farmer’s crops. They can increase yield by 30% simply by pollination. They also provide a surplus of honey for the farmer/beekeeper to harvest and enjoy. This workshop will cover the basic biology of the honeybee and why they make so much honey, along with what to feed, how to fare for the bees, and how to harvest their honey!
When: Saturday, July 12, 9 am
Where: Student Organic Farm - Hives

Workshop: Home Brewing for the Beginner
Instructor: Trevor Hobbs
Description:The world of handcrafted specialty beers has greatly expanded in the past decade, especially in the Michigan. With so many beers to choose from at the store, why not save some money and make your own? This workshop will guide participants through the home brewing process on the intermediate level (as opposed to “all grain” brewing) from start to finish. But, you need not have any experience whatsoever, just a passion for good brew. We will talk about start up equipment, sanitation, malt, hops, yeast, fermentation, bottling, and make a batch while we’re at it!
When: Wednesday, July 23
Where:Student Organic Farm - Workhouse

August

Workshop: Herbal Medicine Making
Instructor: Tomm Becker
Description:Together we will harvest native medicinal herbs and prepare them into medicine. We will learn the helpful properties of the plants we harvest and how to use the medicine we prepare. We will learn how to respectfully harvest as well as make tinctures, decoctions, infusions and how to properly dry herb.
When: Saturday, August 9
Where: Student Organic Farm - Workhouse

Workshop: Seed Saving: The Basics
Instructor: Corie Pierce
Description: In this workshop we will explore the basics of seed saving–from fruits to vegetables to flowers. We will discuss the basic supplies and conditions needed and then do some basic seed saving preparation.
When: Wednesday, August 13, 5:30 pm
Where: Student Organic Farm - Workhouse

Workshop: Canning Bliss: Summer In A Jar
Instructor: Laurie Thorp
Description: In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of canning from start to finish. Jar sterilization, water bath processing, handling of produce, and the basic technique for canning tomatoes will be covered. Other simple techniques for fresh fruit and jams will be offered.
When: Wednesday, August 20, 9 am
Where: TBA

Workshop: The Basics of Small Farm Shiitake Mushroom Cultivation
Instructor: Taylor Reid
Description:Workshops participants will learn the basics of outdoor small-farm mushroom shiitake mushroom cultivation, and work together to inoculate shiitake logs for cultivation. Information presented will include: mycology (mushroom science) basics; how to get started; where to get supplies; recommended reference materials; how to inoculate logs; production potential; and possibilities for cultivation of other mushroom species on the farm.
When:Saturday, September 13, 2 pm
Where: Student Organic Farm - Workhouse

September

Workshop: Fermentation in the Kitchen
Instructor: Holly Markham
Description: This workshop is an introduction to the techniques and health benefits of various vegetable fermentation, Kombucha and sprouts.
When: Monday, September 9, 5:30 pm
Where: Student Organic Farm - CSA Room

October

Workshop: Handmade Paper Workshop
Instructor: Marlene Cameron
Description: Create your own uniquely colored and textured pages by recycling junk mail paper and incorporating material collecting from nature.
When: Saturday, October 11, 2 pm
Where: Student Organic Farm - CSA Room

The SOF will be hosting a series of tours and day-long workshops at the farm. 

The tours will be informal farm walks where you can see our crops and ask questions about our programs, growing techniques and marketing practices.  Dates and times are as follows:

Thursday, May 22, 3-5 p.m.
Thursday, June 19, 3-5 p.m.
Wednesday, July 16, 6-8 p.m. (twilight)
Wednesday, August 27, 6-8 p.m. (twilight)
Thursday, September 23, 3-5 p.m.

The day-long workshops will feature a total farm tour and in-depth discussion of production and marketing techniques used by the farm, including field and hoophouse production, soil management, crop planning and scheduling, and CSA and farmstand sales.  Dates and times are as follows:

Tuesday, June 24, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 16, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Please email or call Adam Montri (admontri@anr.msu.edu or 517.432.3381) if you plan to attend.  There is no registration charge, but space is limited!

Check out our new chicken blog here.