Huddled underneath a tent to protect himself from a heavy downpour, Lansing resident Nate Baldwin seemed unfazed as he stood and continued to sell produce for the MSU Student Organic Farm on Thursday afternoon by the rock on Farm Lane.
“We don’t stop unless it’s a really big storm — level five, or whatever the biggest is,” Baldwin said, laughing.
Baldwin and other Organic Farmer Training Program students have been setting up shop by the rock since early in the summer and will continue through the end of October, he said.
“We come out here (starting) during the summer for four months or so every Thursday from 11 (a.m.) to 5:30 p.m.,” Baldwin said.
Students from the program rotate working the farm stand in three-week shifts, he said.
The farm stand has been successful both monetarily and with students on campus, Baldwin said.
“A lot of (students) aren’t even sure where it’s grown, and it’s kind of funny because they’re students and they don’t know where the MSU Student Organic Farm is, and we have to tell them,” he said.
Right now, the stand is offering a variety of seasonal fall crops, such as different kinds of squash and gourds, with apples and pumpkins coming soon, Baldwin said.
Carolyn Frey, another Lansing resident, said the stand’s presence on campus has helped bring attention to the farm.
“We have a farm stand newsletter and a sign up sheet here,” Frey said. “I think a lot of people (are) finding out about the program, (and) some people become interested and are checking it out.”
Media arts and technology senior Kevin Musial believes having an organic food source at MSU is a big benefit to campus, he said.
“It’s a good way to just get people involved in eating healthier and supporting Michigan State by buying the organic food that’s being grown here,” Musial said. “If anything it’s just a good idea. There’s no bad idea about it.”
The stand brings in an average of about $1,000 every week, Baldwin said.
“Today … raspberries are a pretty big seller, and our tomatoes — those are probably our two biggest ones,” he said, adding that has been typical throughout the season.
The best part about the farm stand is to be able to showcase the products of the student’s labor, Baldwin said.
“I think it’s pretty important just to show (students) what the farm is able to produce, especially organically,” he said.
The Student Organic Farm is located at 3291 College Rd., in Holt, and grows fruits and vegetables year round.
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