(bright pop music)
- Michigan's Upper Peninsula is beautiful,
but it can be hard to grow crops up here.
- Since 1899 MSU has
never abandoned the U.P.
We've always had a presence here.
Obviously with the farm,
but we also have field staff
throughout the Upper Peninsula.
And we all work together
as a really great team.
- [Jen] Throughout the years with outreach
and education efforts,
Michigan State University
has been helping people
find practical ways to farm.
With the harsh soil and the
northern latitude of the U.P.
At the Upper Peninsula Research
and Extension Center in Chatham.
- It's there, they're there for the people
and to support our industry
and that's what we need.
- [Jen] Testing which crops
grow best in the area,
as well as finding the right industry
to market the crops to,
is another major component
of MSU's efforts here.
- You know I'd like to think that
we make the mistakes
that they don't have to.
And so without Michigan State University,
there's a lot of things we've been
able to take risks on and try.
And I think without that,
that the agricultural economy here
just probably would not be as strong.
- [Jen] And as farmers and their needs
have evolved over the years,
so too are the resources MSU offers.
- But I think that
whether you're looking at
a small organic system, or
a large conventional system,
technology is really going to be key.
So using things like
drones to do crop scouting,
and using other technology to
track disease and pest issues,
I think is gonna be a vital component
and something that MSU can really lead in
no matter what the scale or
the production practices.
- [Jen] With its south farm focusing more
on conventional commercial farming,
MSU's north farm is a small scale,
organic certified incubator farm.
Meaning, those interested
in getting a jump start,
and a helping hand in growing crops, can.
- So I like to think that
our operation is very unique.
And that we have a variety
of different people
trying a bunch of different projects,
growing different crops, side by side,
learning from one another,
in a climate that is known for
being a little challenging.
And so continuing that
and making that connection
between farmer and eater is
really what we're here for.
- In projects and programs
that we host at the
north farm and the south farm
we've really been able to
help bring more farmers
back into the fold,
and help support those communities.
- [Jen] So no matter how difficult
the conditions can be up here,
Spartans are helping bring
more food to the table.
