Volunteer
Please read through all of these FAQs and fill out the application form at the bottom of this page.
When can I volunteer?
We welcome volunteers February-November.
Volunteer shifts vary according the our crew schedule for the semester. Generally, weekday shifts are 8am-12pm or 1-4:30pm and Saturday shfits are 10am-2pm . Volunteers are required to arrive at the beginning of the shift and encouraged to work the entire shift.
Where are you located?
The Student Organic Farm is located on 15 acres at the western edge of the MSU Horticulture Teaching and Research Center (HTRC). Our address is 3291 College Rd. Holt, MI 48842. Please park in the main HTRC parking lot, just inside the main gate when you drive in.
Can I get a ride out to the farm?
We are unable to offer rides to and from the farm, but occasionally student crew members with vehicles are willing to pick up and drop off regular volunteers in convenience with their work schedules. Volunteers and crew members also often use ride sharing services to the farm, which runs about $10 from campus.
What should I wear when I volunteer?
Dress according to how you will feel most comfortable in whatever weather is predicted for your volunteer shift, keeping in mind that you may be moving between greenhouses where it is dry and warm to outdoor rain or snow. Closed toed shoes are required. Depending on the weather, we recommend layers, sunscreen, a hat, and water.
What can I expect to do while I’m at the farm?
Farm work is seasonal. Because we grow in passive solar greenhouses harvest happens here year round. In the spring, we are busy prepping beds and planting outside. In the summer, we weed, water, plant, and harvesting. In the fall we roll up drip tape, put beds to sleep for the winter, and harvest root crops for storage. In the winter, we work to maintain our crops in the hoop houses, seeding transplants, and getting ready for the spring.
Volunteer Groups / Volunteer Events
To schedule a volunteer group event, contact SOF Staff at msufarm@msu.edu. Accommodating volunteer groups may take up to 2 weeks to schedule and is subject to SOF staff availability. Volunteer groups under 18 years of age will be subject to our regular tour fee.
When can I volunteer?
We welcome volunteers February-November.
Volunteer shifts vary according the our crew schedule for the semester. Generally, weekday shifts are 8am-12pm or 1-4:30pm and Saturday shfits are 10am-2pm . Volunteers are required to arrive at the beginning of the shift and encouraged to work the entire shift.
Where are you located?
The Student Organic Farm is located on 15 acres at the western edge of the MSU Horticulture Teaching and Research Center (HTRC). Our address is 3291 College Rd. Holt, MI 48842. Please park in the main HTRC parking lot, just inside the main gate when you drive in.
Can I get a ride out to the farm?
We are unable to offer rides to and from the farm, but occasionally student crew members with vehicles are willing to pick up and drop off regular volunteers in convenience with their work schedules. Volunteers and crew members also often use ride sharing services to the farm, which runs about $10 from campus.
What should I wear when I volunteer?
Dress according to how you will feel most comfortable in whatever weather is predicted for your volunteer shift, keeping in mind that you may be moving between greenhouses where it is dry and warm to outdoor rain or snow. Closed toed shoes are required. Depending on the weather, we recommend layers, sunscreen, a hat, and water.
What can I expect to do while I’m at the farm?
Farm work is seasonal. Because we grow in passive solar greenhouses harvest happens here year round. In the spring, we are busy prepping beds and planting outside. In the summer, we weed, water, plant, and harvesting. In the fall we roll up drip tape, put beds to sleep for the winter, and harvest root crops for storage. In the winter, we work to maintain our crops in the hoop houses, seeding transplants, and getting ready for the spring.
Volunteer Groups / Volunteer Events
To schedule a volunteer group event, contact SOF Staff at msufarm@msu.edu. Accommodating volunteer groups may take up to 2 weeks to schedule and is subject to SOF staff availability. Volunteer groups under 18 years of age will be subject to our regular tour fee.
After you have filled out the Volunteer Application Form, please wait until you’ve received a confirmation from an SOF staff member before showing up.
Volunteer Application Form
First time (ever or in a long time) volunteering? Please Fill out our Volunteer Application Form and tell us about yourself. We will respond with volunteer hours, directions, and tips for a more pleasant experience volunteering with us.
Volunteer Sign-in
Volunteers! Please sign in EACH TIME you volunteer on the farm. This will help us keep records of how many folks come to the farm each year, when folks tend to be most available to volunteer, and how we can make the farm as inclusive and available to our community as possible.