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

I think we're all in agreement Lowell - you, me, and Rory.

Maggie

On Jul 29, 2009, at 11:18 AM, Lowell Prag wrote:

> On Tue, July 28, 2009 2:00 pm, Rory Neuner wrote:
>
> Hi Lowell,
>
> I don't represent the SOF or the University, so I won't attempt to  
> speak
> for the SOF or the University, but I can tell you from conversations  
> that
> they seem very sensitive to the price tag. To clarify, what the Farm
> offers is not just a "course", but an intensive training program.
>
> I REALIZE IT IS AN INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM BUT THE PRICE STILL  
> MAKES IT
> ELITIST.
>
> Also -- I will echo Maggie on the reality of funding for our state
> universities, as well as the expectation in today's society that  
> students
> should bear the burden of the big price tag we've put on higher ed.
>
> TO WHOSE EXPECTATION IN TODAYS SOCIETY ARE YOU REFERRING?
>
> I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO A SOCIALISTIC RANT ON THE DISPARITIES IN OUR
> SOCIETY.
>
> THE SIMPLE FACT IS WE NOW HAVE A NEW FORM OF SEGREGATION WHICH IS
> SEGREGATED EDUCATION, BASED ON ONE'S ABILITY TO PAY.
>
> Regarding the funding issue -- you're just in time. The Farm is  
> hosting a
> Hoophouse Gala event on September 17th. Proceeds will be used to  
> create
> scholarships to support the training and education of SOF students.  
> So,
> given their constraints, they are moving in the direction of covering
> student costs. Call me if you want a ticket.
>
> I'D BE HAPPY TO MAKE A DONATION BUT ...
>
> THAT IS NOT THE WAY TO FUND A PROGRAM WHICH IS CRITICAL TO BRINGING  
> A NEW
> MIND SET TO MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL WHICH IS BASED ON SUSTAINABLE  
> ORGANIC
> FARMING PRACTICES ...
>
> AND IS NOT BASED ON:
>
> DESTRUCTIVE FARMING PRACTICES, FOSTERED IN PART, BY EDUCATIONAL
> INSTITUTIONS BEHOLDEN IN PART, TO RESEARCH GRANTS FROM:
>
> THE PETRO-CHEMICAL FERTILIZER INDUSTRY, THE PESTICIDE AND HERBICIDE
> INDUSTRY, THE GENETIC SEED ENGINEERING INDUSTRY, ETC.
>
> IN SHORT:
>
> THE LAST THING THOSE INDUSTRIES WANT TO SEE IS A WIDE SPREAD USE
> OF SUSTAINABLE ORGANIC FARMING PRACTICES, AS IT WILL IN LARGE PART,
> PUT THEM OUT OF BUSINESS.
>
> OBVIOUSLY, THEY WILL AND HAVE SPENT BIG MONEY TO PREVENT IT.
>
> THAT IS WHY FUNDING IS SO CRITICAL FOR ENSURING THAT EDUCATION IN
> SUSTAINABLE ORGANIC FARMING PRACTICES, IS AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE,
> IRREGARDLESS OF INCOME, WHO IS PRESENTLY IN MICHIGAN AGRICULTURE
> OR WHO WANTS A CAREER IN MICHIGAN AGRICULTURE.
>
> REGARDS,
>
> LOWELL PRAG
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: enviro-mich-bounces at great-lakes.net
> [mailto:enviro-mich-bounces at great-lakes.net] On Behalf Of Lowell Prag
> Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 12:28 PM
> To: enviro-mich at great-lakes.net
> Subject: EM:/ Wow!!!!!!!! Sticker shock! Re: MSU Student Organic Farm
> accepting applications for 2010
>
> 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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