On Friday, Dec. 5, students, staff and volunteers of Michigan State University’s Student Organic Farm gathered for Farmsgiving, a year-end celebration where the group reflected on the fall semester and shared memories over homemade dishes. The event marked another season of hands-on learning at the Student Organic Farm (SOF), a 15-acre, year-round teaching and production farm on MSU’s campus that has been an agricultural staple since 2002. For many Spartans, the farm is not only a workplace but a defining part of their MSU experience and beyond.
Evie DeBlaay, an MSU student majoring in environmental studies and sustainability and minoring in agronomy and sustainable agriculture and food systems, explained how her role at the farm has helped support her long-term goals.
“Since I hope to help lead the transition toward more sustainable farming systems in Michigan, the SOF has given me practical skills, confidence and real examples of what successful ecologically minded agriculture looks like,” she said. “It has also helped me grow personally by working alongside passionate people who care deeply about the same issues I do.”
Her favorite memory of the year came when Brody Square chefs hosted a fall harvest dinner using SOF produce during an Experiential Dining Event. “It was such a great night,” she said. “The food was delicious and it was fun to sit at a table with my coworkers and chat while we were served the five-course meal.”
DeBlaay said the farm also reflects what she believes it means to be a Spartan. “To me, being a Spartan means leading with integrity, working hard, supporting your community and using your education to make a positive impact,” she said. “The SOF embodies all of those values. It is a place where students, staff and faculty collaborate, learn from one another and contribute to something bigger than themselves. The farm encourages curiosity and resilience, and it connects us directly to the land and to the people who benefit from our work. Being part of the SOF feels like living out what it means to be a Spartan, working together to grow something meaningful, sustainable and future-focused.”
For another student employee, Allison Passenja, who has worked at the farm for more than two years, the experience has been both educational and community driven. “My favorite memories were any of the days I was working with a bunch of my coworkers and Darby,” Passenja said, referencing SOF Manager Darby Anderson. “We were always able to get a lot done and have fun chatting about life and farming ... It’s a strong sense of community and shared values.”
Horticulture student Andrea Buhl describes the farm as invaluable in shaping her future career. “Working at the farm has given me a lot of hands-on experience that will be very useful,” Buhl said. She especially enjoyed harvesting and CSA (community supported agriculture) pickup days when customers arrived excited for the week’s produce. “The farm aligns very closely to my career goals, so I find every shift I’m learning something useful.”
Darby Anderson, manager of the SOF, explained how the farm’s unique learning environment helps further MSU’s mission. “The opportunities offered at the SOF provide students with a sense of purpose, problem-solving and decision-making skills and a deep appreciation for agriculture,” she said.
Her favorite part of the job? Teaching students to drive tractors.
“Most have never operated any equipment, and I enjoy watching their fear and uncertainty turning to confidence and empowerment,” she said.
Some of her fondest memories come from simple teamwork. “Anytime we are able to work together in a larger group chatting as we harvest or weed — simple tasks surrounded by a good crew sharing dad jokes and stories,” she said.
She noted that even for students who do not pursue agriculture careers, the lessons they can take away are long-lasting.
“They now know how to drive a tractor, grow and harvest a wide variety of vegetables and work with people from different backgrounds,” she said. “Those skills may not be directly applicable in their careers, but they inform how students interact with their environments, how they approach tasks and how they stay flexible and accommodating.”
As the SOF community wraps another semester, the farm continues to serve as an environment where Spartans grow alongside the produce they tend. Seated together at Farmsgiving, students reflected on the connections and skills they built — roots that will stay planted long after leaving the farm.
Interested in getting involved at the Student Organic Farm? Contact Darby Anderson at ande2010@msu.edu.
Author: Bethany Zimmerman, communication manager