Released June 4, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State University (MSU) students from the Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT) have started selling organic produce at a farm stand on campus.

The stand is open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays through November. It is located on Farm Lane in front of the MSU Auditorium.

Currently, students are selling salad mix, spinach, cooking greens, potted and cut herbs, potatoes and green garlic. Within the next month, however, they will be offering a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, cut flowers and strawberries.

“Students in the Ag Tech organic farming program grow the produce and run the stand as part of the one-year program,” said Corie Pierce, manager of the student organic farm and director of the organic farming certificate program.

The organic farming certificate program consists of 44 credits of on-campus coursework and hands-on practical farm training at the 10-acre Student Organic Farm. The farm grows more than 70 crops -- vegetables, herbs, small fruits and flowers for cut flowers.

For more information about the organic farming certificate program, contact Pierce at 517-355-5191, ext. 1411, or call the Student Organic Farm at 517-230-7987.

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http://anrcom.msu.edu/press/060108/060408_organicfarm.htm

Contacts: Eileen Gianiodis, (517) 432-1555, ext. 160