Student Organic Farm -

Michigan Agriculture Experiment Station
The Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, founded in 1888, is not just one building where experiments and laboratory work occur. It encompasses the work of more than 300 scientists in five colleges at MSU: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Natural Science, Social Science, Veterinary Medicine and Human Ecology.

Clarksville Horticultural Experiment Station
The Clarksville Horticultural Experiment Station is located in the major fruit belt of West Michigan. Just outside of Grand Rapids it is has an excellent location for growing fruits, vegetables and agronomic crops. The station’s main purpose is to do fundamental and applied research and provide extension demonstrations for Michigan’s fruit industry. The 440-acre station has many projects that are designed to make Michigan’s fruit and other agricultural industries more efficient and profitable.   The Clarksville Horticultural Experiment Station was purchased in 1974 and became fully operational in 1989. It was developed by special appropriation from the Michigan Legislature.

Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station
Projects to improve Michigan's red tart and sweet cherries are on-going at this 100-acre station, which opened in 1979 near Traverse City. Apples, plums, peaches, apricots, nectarines, pears, wine grapes, hazelnuts and chestnuts are also being evaluated, along with disease, weed and insect control; pruning and training systems; fertilizers, rootstocks and varieties.

Southwest Michigan Horticultural Experiment Station
Established to meet the diverse needs of agricultural producers in the southwestern part of the state, the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center (SWMREC) combines research projects and educational programs on fruits, vegetables, field crops and woody ornamentals, as well as environmental quality issues. Offering solutions to the region=s agricultural problems and keeping area producers and processors competitive are some of the centers primary objectives. SWMREC is located just outside Benton Harbor in Berrien County. The center encompasses 350 acres, a conference center and a visitor information center.

Horticulture Teaching and Research Center (HTRC)
Established in 1966, the HTRC encompasses 180 acres on the south campus of Michigan State University in Holt, Michigan. The center meets the needs of field labs for outdoor classrooms as well as basic research. The focus of research projects at the HTRC centers on vegetables, fruit and ornamentals. Areas of study involving research projects include breeding, post harvest handling of fruit, weed control, and pesticide fruit finish studies. As well as the previous research projects mentioned, the HTRC is also the regional center for IR-4 field research of registration of minor use herbicides. Housed on the grounds of the center is MSU's wine facility which is involved in oenology research projects throughout the state. We also have 16 walk-in coolers available to store plant material for field and greenhouse studies for future use on projects at the HTRC and around the state. In 1997, the HTRC had two new construction projects to further its ability to meet the needs of teaching and research. The first new facility is a combination of six polyhouses which will be utilized by MSU's botany Department to house its world plant collection and six hoophouses to be used for ornamental teaching and research. The second facility is the Pesticide Storage

Plant Science and Pesticide Research Center Greenhouses
The Plant Science Greenhouses and the Pesticide Research Center Greenhouses are top-notch research facilities that are used extensively by the Horticulture, Botany and Plant Pathology, Crop and Soil Sciences, Forestry, Biochemistry, Pesticide Research, USDA and Entomology departments.  These facilities are in operation year around and consist of over 100,000 square feet of greenhouse area.  Research on a variety of different areas of plant science is conducted, ranging from photoperiod experimentation to disease and plant pathogen research.  Hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends.