Katie Brandt

MSU Extension Educator for Beginning, Urban, Sustainable and Small-Scale Farms

Michigan State University

State: MI

(w) (616) 885-7776

About

Katie Brandt works with beginning, urban, sustainable and small farmers as part of the MSU Extension Community Food Systems team. She started her farming adventure as a farmworker on many farms, before co-founding Groundswell Community Farm and enjoying 11 seasons farming full-time. In 2017, she shifted to teaching and organizing the MSU Organic Farmer Training Program (OFTP), which is a mix of field trips, online and on-farm learning to help people make their farm dreams a reality. In 2023, the OFTP added a new learning site at Keep Growing Detroit and in 2026 the program expanded to Grand Rapids with a site at New City Urban Farm.

Katie also co-leads Michigan's USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program to connect new organic farmers with mentors, field days & webinars. She has created learning tools about land access, mentorship, farm business planning, organic farming and urban farming as part of Michigan's Beginning Farmer Curriculum and for the Beginning Farmer Resource & Decision-Making Guide.