Project Overview
Commodities
Practices
- Crop Production: season extension
- Education and Training: youth education
- Farm Business Management: community-supported agriculture, farmers' markets/farm stands
- Pest Management: integrated pest management
- Soil Management: soil quality/health
Proposal abstract:
This project will develop a "Leelanau Farm Connection" field trips program for high school aged youth to visit nearby farms to learn more about "where food comes from", sustainable growing practices, and related career opportunities. In a day long field trip program, students will visit at least two examples of sustainable agriculture: including a community supported agriculture arm and the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station. Students will have the opportunity to interact with local farmers and horticulturalists/research scientists working in sustainable agriculture. Students, along with their teachers, will have the opportunity to tour the different locations, participating in educational hands-on activities at each. Students will learn about different approaches to season extension, soil management, crop selection, and pest control (organic and integrated pest management) marketing approaches (CSA, farmers markets, wholesale).