Department of Horticulture Organic Farmer Training Program

2027 OFTP Application

2027 Scholarship Application

Make your farm dreams a reality by applying for the Organic Farmer Training Program! Please send the following items to apply:

• OFTP application 
• Your resume or CV
• 2 letters of recommendation (employers, colleagues, farmers you’ve worked or volunteered for, farm customers, etc)
• Visit the Farm or Meet online (contact us to schedule a time)
• IF APPLYING FOR A SCHOLARSHIP - Complete the Scholarship application by November 15 for one of three OFTP scholarships:

• • West Michigan Farmers Scholarship for participants at the Grand Rapids learning site
  • Detroit Farmers Scholarship for farmers from Detroit/Hamtramck/Highland Park 
  • Flint Farmer Scholarship for participants in the Flint learning site 
  • Or check out this list of other scholarship options

Email documents & questions to oftp@msu.edu 

We are now accepting applications for the Detroit, Flint, East Lansing and Grand Rapids learning sites!

East Lansing applications are accepted on a rolling basis until early February or when the cohort is full, but Detroit, Flint, and Grand Rapids typically fill soon after the scholarship applications are due.

The 2027 OFTP takes place on Mondays from 9:30am-4:30pm from February 22 to November 12 (NO CLASS Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day) There is one weekend trip (Sunday through Tuesday July 18 to 20th for Detroit, Flint and East Lansing. Grand Rapids weekend trip date is will be announced by January 2027. You can see the proposed schedule HERE . 
 
How much does the program cost?
Program fees for 2027 are $3,900 plus the cost of books and materials (~$200).

What are the scholarship options?

• Detroit Farmer Scholarship for people farming, gardening or living in Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park (will re-open for 2027 OFTP applications in July)
• West Michigan Farmer Scholarship for farmers attending the Grand Rapids OFTP learning site (will re-open for 2027 OFTP applications in July)
• Flint Farmer Scholarship for people attending the Flint OFTP learning site
• MichiganWorks! PATH or WIOA programs are a great scholarship option for people who are unemployed and underemployed (low-income for your household size) or are caring for children or people with disabilities. Share this OFTP listing with your local MichiganWorks! office if you qualify for PATH or WIOA and your area has funding. 
• Greenstone Cultivate Growth Grant – Grant is to support Young, Beginning, Small farmers help expand their knowledge and strengthen their business. Offers up to $1,000 to current GreenStone customers and up to $500 will be awarded to non-GreenStone customers that participate in agriculture programs/events, first time use of GreenStones resources, or a non-GreenStone agriculture service.
• Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund - Up to $5,000 for farm equipment, supplies or education - https://farmvetco.org/fvfellowship/ 
• Michigan SARE Travel Scholarships $500 for travel to in-state and out-of-state conferences and classes https://www.canr.msu.edu/misare/michigan-sare-travel-scholarship This can fund mileage at 70 cents per mile or other transportation costs. This is focused on training farm educators (farmers can apply, but only if they are also teaching other farmers as part of a grant project, non-profit, etc.). Please stress how you will share the skills you learn in OFTP with other farmers as part of your application. 
• Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP) - up to $200 in USDA assistance for educational programs for certified organic farmers or farmers transitioning to organic – This USDA assistance should be available for anyone who qualifies 
• CCOF Future Organic Farmer Grant - $5,000 for Vocational and Higher Ed Students – apply between mid-March and mid-April. Very competitive. 
• American Farmland Trust Brighter Future Fund may fund the OFTP - they have various grant programs, so see if any apply for your location and farm type, then email them to ask about deadlines if it is currently closed.
• Your workplace may offer training funds to support you taking OFTP
• You may be able to reach out to a local Community Foundation or other sponsor to fund your participation in OFTP 

How do I pay for the OFTP?

• Card payments:  https://commerce.cashnet.com/msu_3843?&itemcode=3843-oftp
• Cash
• Check
• Americorps Education Awards
• Most 529 plans
• Some MET plans
• Michigan Works! PATH program - unemployment training for people with children under 6 years old or in school; or for caregivers with a disabled dependent. Share this OFTP listing with your local MichiganWorks! office if you qualify.
• Michigan Works! WIOA program for people who are unemployed or underemployed (low-income for your household size). Share this OFTP listing with your local MichiganWorks! office if you qualify.
• Please ask about other payment options

Do I get credit for the program?  Will I be considered an MSU student?
Program participants do not get college credit for completing the OFTP.  You will receive a Certificate from the Michigan State University Student Organic Farm, Department of Horticulture, and Center for Regional Food Systems upon completion of the program. Program participants are not technically enrolled at MSU.  You can access the libraries, campus dining halls, fitness facilities, computer labs.

Occasionally, a current student will choose to have the OFTP count as 3 credits of Independent Study with Katie Brandt or another professor. You would pay for both the OFTP and the college credits through MSU or through your college or university.

Can I use GI Bill funds or Veterans Benefits to pay for the OFTP?
Historically, GI Bill Funds and Veterans Benefits could not be used to pay for the OFTP. However, there have been some changes and may be options depending on the type of benefits you are attempting to use. Post 9-11 GI Bill Benefits (Ch. 33 benefits), Montgomery GI Bill Benefits (Ch. 30 benefits) or Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits (Ch. 31 benefits) may offer some options.  Also, the Farmer Veteran Coalition’s fellowship fund  awards up to $5,000 to veterans working in or transitioning to careers in agriculture, which may be used for OFTP.

 
What kind of work are the graduates of the program doing?
Graduates land in a variety of farming-related jobs after the program, such as managing an existing farm's CSA or production or starting their own urban or rural farm or working in the non-profit food and farming sector. To read more about what our farmers are doing now, check out our OFTP Graduates page.