Digging In: Growing a healthier community at MSU

“CSA stands for community supported agriculture,” said Ellen Moje, Manager of MSU’s Student Organic Farm.

The Farm, located at 3291 College Rd. in Holt, encompasses fifteen acres of certified organic land including 20,000 sq. ft. of greenhouse space for growing food during the colder times of the year.

“Community members or people buy into a farm or a share of produce or foods for the season and then each week they come and pick up a share of what has been harvested that week,” said Moje.

The produce that is grown, by trained students, changes each season. According to their website http://www.msuorganicfarm.com/, this is what they are growing this year.

Spring: eggs, asparagus, spinach, lettuce, brassica salad mix, chard, kale, radishes, turnips, peas, and strawberries, in addition to many garden transplants and storage crops like potatoes, carrots, winter squash, onions, garlic, cabbage, and beets.

Summer: eggs, many kinds of tomato, pepper, eggplant, cucumber, summer squash, sweet corn, green beans and edamame as well as a continuation of many greens, and the beginning of cut flowers, raspberries, and some other small fruit.

Fall: eggs, pumpkins, popcorn and flint corn, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower, as well as an abundance of raspberries, strawberries, pears, Asian pears, grapes, hazelnuts, and dried flowers. Fresh roots and storage items are also for sale at this time: more potatoes, cabbage, onions, garlic, winter squash, carrots, beets, radishes and turnips, as well as all your regular greens.

Produce such as green beans and cucumbers can be shared to the public for consumption rather quickly, although, other foods like tomatoes and peppers may take longer before they are ready. This time period can be four to eight weeks depending on the food said Moje.

Moje said, the farm is focusing mostly on vegetables for this season, while other farms focus on meat, chicken and other non-produce items.

“CSA is a great way to be introduced to vegetables that can be grown in our area or region,” said Moje. It’s also a good way to increase the amount of vegetables you’re consuming each week as part of a healthy diet.

Moje said her favorite thing about being associated with CSA is having the opportunity to work outdoors on the farm to grow these foods and watching the happiness that is brought to their shareholders.

“We have an on campus farm stand on Thursdays from 11AM to 5:30PM. on the corner of Auditorium Road and Farm Lane,” said Moje. This stand opened the first week of April and will remain open until the end of October.

According to Moje, a lot of the same products that they offer to their shareholders are also available at the farm stand, along with some other products that they grow.

CSA continues to accept members for the season until they are full. Ask about joining them by calling (517) 230-7987 or emailing them at msufarms@msu.edu.