Farm 651 Prepares for Spring Training

by Gayle Neu

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.

It’ll be constructed mostly from discarded materials and framed using traditional 2x6 materials.

“Not only will this be less costly than the original SIPS (structural insulated panels) plan, it’ll allow us to integrate a larger amount of recycled content into the structure, which is obviously one of our biggest objectives,” Roggensee says, adding he’s actively seeking property owners with old barns in need of razing. “It’s our goal to use the old wood for flooring, siding and structural support.”

And by building next to their existing large farm market building, they can utilize pre-existing utility lines, septic and water.
“This has saved us a ton of money,” Roggensee notes, adding he’s enlisted the help of Mike Collings of MAC Custom Homes in Traverse City. “His wealth of building knowledge has been invaluable.”

Other experts noticing the fledgling project are starting to pitch in, too. Mark Baker, owner of Baker’s Green Acres in Marion, has volunteered to help implement a pastured poultry system at the farm. “Pastured poultry” refers to chickens that have been raised for the majority of their lives on grass. Their pens don’t have a floor and are moved every day to assure access to fresh forage.

Want to donate your time as an instructor or project mentor? Email farm651@hotmail.com or call 231-944-5283. Click here for program details, student opportunities and donation guidelines.

Bonus: The Farm 651 project was just named a contestant in the "Pepsi Refresh Contest" for November. Each month, Pepsi is giving away more than $1 million to 60 ideas that move communities forward. Farm 651 was selected from thousands of applications from all over the country. To vote, visit http://www.refresheverything.com/651project. You can vote once a day until a winner is awarded.