EM:/ Wow!!!!!!!! Sticker shock! Re: MSU Student Organic Farm accepting applications for 2010

Welcome to the painful existence of those trying to get a college  
education. I really don't think the general population realizes just  
how expensive higher ed. is.

I saw a statistic that about 30 years ago MI colleges/universities  
were 70% publicly funded. Now, they are about 30% publicly funded. The  
article that mentioned this quoted an anonymous source who stated that  
it's basically gradual privatization of higher ed.


On Jul 28, 2009, at 12:27 PM, Lowell Prag wrote:

> On Tue, July 28, 2009 10:47 am, Rory Neuner wrote:
>
> ... see below ...
>
> Wow!!!!!!!! Sticker shock!
>
> It took me awhile to find the actual application page for the 9  
> month course:
>
> http://www.msuorganicfarm.org/Admissions_Packet.pdf
>
> The price: $7,400.
>
> Isn't that elitist and another example of educational segregation  
> based on
> the ability to pay, similar to exactly what is happening in all of our
> universities?
>
> If the State of Michigan is serious about moving towards sustainable
> agriculture, one would think that funding would be provided to make  
> the
> course free and the qualified applicants chosen by a random drawing if
> there was too many applicants for a given year, with those that were  
> left
> out, given priority for the next year's program.
>
> By extension, I think that all of our public universities should be  
> free
> with the federal government footing the bill, by cutting the budget  
> for
> stealth bomber planes and other tools of war to protect the oil  
> industry.
>
> As astute Eisenhower said in his last public speech when leaving the
> presidency, beware of the military-industrial complex distorting our
> political process.
>
> One should append our educational process as well.
>
> Regards,
>
> Lowell Prag
>
> ------------------
>
> On Tue, July 28, 2009 10:47 am, Rory Neuner wrote:
> Passing this along on behalf of the Michigan State Student Organic  
> Farm...
>
> Now accepting applications for 2010 Cohort of the Organic Farmer  
> Training
> Program at the Michigan State University Student Organic Farm (SOF)!
>
> The Organic Farmer Training Program offers nine months of intensive
> instruction in year-round organic farming.  The program focuses on
> diversified production of vegetables, flowers, fruits and herbs for  
> local
> markets.  Students manage all aspects of a 10-acre certified organic  
> farm,
> including passive solar greenhouses used for year-round production  
> in cold
> climates.  Students also manage the SOF garden and field production.
> Produce is grown for the farm's primary markets, including a 48-week  
> CSA,
> six-month on-campus farm stand, and sales to campus dining services.
> Students develop competencies in farm skills through trainings and  
> through
> engagement in the daily operation of the farm.  Hands-on training is
> combined with workshops, lectures, readings and assignments that build
> participants' knowledge and understanding of organic farming  
> principles
> and practices.  The program is designed to give participants a strong
> background in production skills as well as the knowledge,  
> management, and
> decision-making skills necessary to operate a diversified small farm.
>
> Program participants include new and beginning farmers, urban and
> community farmers and gardeners, educators, and those interested in  
> local
> or organic agriculture.
>
>
>
> Space is limited
>
> Rolling admissions
>
> Application review begins Sept 1.
>
>
>
> See attached flyer for more information
>
> You can also view the flyer online by clicking
> here<http://msuorganicfarm.org/2010/OFTP_info_sheet.pdf>
>
>
>
> Visit our website for full program description and application
>
> www.msuorganicfarm.org<http://www.msuorganicfarm.org/>
>
>
>
> or contact us at msufarm at msu.edu<mailto:msufarm at msu.edu>
>
> 517-230-7987
>
>
> Rory L. Neuner
> Urban Policy Specialist
> Michigan Environmental Council
> e /  
> rory at environmentalcouncil.org<mailto:rory at environmentalcouncil.org>
> w / www.environmentalcouncil.org<http://www.environmentalcouncil.org>
> p / 517.487.9539
> c / 517.515.3535
> t / www.twitter.com/rory_neuner
>
>
>
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> enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):
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> http://www.great-lakes.net
>
> To search the archive: http://www.great-lakes.net/lists/enviro-mich/
>
> All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author
> or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or
> the Great Lakes Commission.
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