Farm 651 building a learning campus

Last week the TC Ticker posted a cool feature on Farm 651 near Cedar. They report that the Farm 651 project was selected from thousands of applications for the “Pepsi Refresh Contest” for November. Each month, Pepsi gives away over $1 million to 60 ideas that move communities forward. You can vote once a day until a winner is awarded at the Farm 651 at Pepsi Refresh. They also write that:

While most farms are shutting down for winter, one area farm is plotting out a path to education.
Farm 651 – an 80-acre, eco-agricultural farm just south of Cedar – is working to become a learning campus for students in pursuit of agricultural skills and knowledge.

“We’ve received intern applications from all over the world – from as far away as Ghana, Chicago, California and, of course, locally,” says Jason Roggensee, who established “The 651 Project” as a licensed Michigan non-profit organization in August with his wife, Junie.

Students can apply to live and work on the functioning farm, while studying specific focuses: organic farming, viticulture, construction technology, agri-tourism, responsible landscape design, and green energy technology.

Housing will be provided, and product sales via farm markets and onsite retail facilities will serve as a living stipend.

The couple’s biggest priority? Building a student “nest.” Starting next spring, they plan to start construction on a two-story, super-efficient farmhouse-style structure that should house six students comfortably.

Read on for more and cast your vote for Farm 651!
photo credit: squircle_7_cedar_michigan_farm_651_P_Petrat by Trish P. – K1000 Gal