At Michigan State University’s recent first annual Hoophouse Gala, nearly 200 guests came together to enjoy a local and sustainably produced harvest dinner and raise $16,470 to create scholarships for the training and education of the next generation of Michigan’s organic farmers.

Supported by MSU’s Division of Residential and Hospitality Services, the gala was held on the grounds of the MSU Student Organic Farm Sept. 20. Guests were presented with Michigan wines and a five-course meal prepared by MSU’s award-winning Spartan chefs and showcasing products of Michigan farms. In addition to the proceeds from event admission, individual cash donations were collected and individual MSU faculty and staff members donated their 2009-2010 salary increases to the cause.

“This gala represented a great opportunity to expand upon our already thriving partnership with the MSU Student Organic Farm,” said Vennie Gore, assistant vice president for the Division of Residential and Hospitality Services. “By funding scholarships for MSU’s student farmers, event attendees are not only helping shape their futures, they are helping our culinary services as we continue to provide campus-grown, certified-organic produce grown by students, for students.”

The division’s Spartan Harvest Program features 100 percent certified-organic produce, grown at the MSU Student Organic Farm, which uses sustainable agriculture techniques to maximize local production and positive environmental impact. An unheated passive solar greenhouse, or hoophouse, located on the farm, is dedicated to the production and sale of produce to the division for on-campus residential dining services through the program.

MSU Student Organic Farm produce has been featured in Landon Hall dining services and is currently featured in Yakeley Hall dining services. Organic special salads made with produce from the farm are featured every month in The Gallery at the Snyder/Phillips residence halls.

“By investing in MSU’s student organic farmers, event attendees and donors are helping increase education on the importance of sustainable and local agriculture on campus and beyond,” said Laurie Thorp, coordinator for MSU’s Residential Initiative on the Study of the Environment. “Their generosity has planted the seeds for the prosperity of Michigan’s agricultural industry of tomorrow and for the future of our planet.”

The MSU Student Organic Farm is a 10-acre, four-season teaching farm with the mission to cultivate knowledge and human capacity in organic and sustainable agriculture for students, farmers and educators. The MSU Student Organic Farm team has spent the last eight years developing hoophouse production and education methods for extending the growing season and increasing winter vegetable production in the Midwest.

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