The Campus Student Organic Farm (CSOF) at Oakland University is a vibrant community of students, faculty, and staff working together to nourish the local area—despite limited hands and funding.
Every Friday at the Campus Student Organic Farm, Farm Director Dr. Fay Hansen meets with student farm manager Shane and crew member Riayn, and volunteer Joanne, to take care of essential daily farm tasks. The farm has a lot of work to be done, but not always enough hands to do it. It receives no direct funding from the university and relies on produce sales, donations, and grants to cover its operating costs, including wages for student workers. Dr. Hansen’s Applied oragic farming class recently enjoyed a hands-on experience at the farm, harvesting spinach and planting potatoes as part of their coursework. To keep the farm running smoothly, a dedicated team is required for nearly 10 months out of the year, including two student farm managers and several part-time students who work during the summer and academic year. Dr. Hansen teaches a number of courses that integrate directly with the farm, including BIO 3360 – Organic Farming (lecture), BIO 3361 – Applied Organic Farming (lab & field studies), BIO 3362 – Permaculture, BIO 3363 – Permaculture Laboratory, and BIO 4338 – Food Systems Biology.
Student Josh MacEwan harvests spinach during a farm activity in the salad place at the Campus Student Organic Farm on March 25, 2025. 
Students Adam Kushel, Dominic Kaju, Mac Pellerito, and Andre Saffar, joke and compare the size of their spinach bags during a hands-on farming activity at the Campus Student Organic Farm on March 25, 2025. The exercise allows them to assess their harvest while applying their skills in measuring and production. 
Farm Director Dr. Fay Hansen explains to students Josh MacWan and Mac Pellerito the white powdery specs found on the spinach during a lesson at the Campus Student Organic Farm on March 14, 2025. She tells them they will later examine the specs under a microscope to identify the cause and learn more about plant health. 
Farm Director Dr. Fay Hansen holds up a spinach plant with a bug found by a student in the greenhouse at the Campus Student Organic Farm on March 25, 2025. The pest is one of many they work to keep out of the greenhouses to protect their crops. 
Student Karli Bissell creates small tunnels in the soil to plant potatoes at the Campus Student Organic Farm on March 21, 2025. The hands-on activity is part of an educational effort to teach sustainable farming practices. 
Students Karli and adam space out the planting spots for potatoes, ensuring each is 9 inches apart, on March 14, 2025. Dr. Fay jokes with the students about giving a quiz on the measurements if they get it wrong. 
Student Mac Pellerito plants potatoes at the Campus Student Organic Farm on March 21, 2025. The hands-on activity is part of a sustainable farming initiative led by Dr. Fay Hansen and her student crew. 
Students’ coats hang nearby as they plant potatoes on March 14, 2025, in the warm greenhouse at the Campus Student Organic Farm. The heat provides an ideal environment for both the crops and the students. 
Students work to fill in holes in the greenhouse at the Campus Student Organic Farm on March 14, 2025. The task ensures the structure is secure and ready for optimal growing conditions. 
Student Andre Saffar cleans racks between planting potatoes at the Campus Student Organic Farm on March 21, 2025. 
Students Andre Saffar (left) dominic Kaju (right) joke and chat as they wait in line to weigh the kale they just picked in the classroom at the Campus Student Organic Farm on March 25, 2025. 
Student Mac Pellerito examine white powdery specs on spinach under a microscope at the Campus Student Organic Farm on March 25, 2025, as part of a lesson on plant health and pest identification. 
A close-up shot of spinach under the microscope light found at the Campus Student Organic Farm on March 25, 2025. 
Farm manager Shane Dawson begins his day by watering plants at the Campus Student Organic Farm on March 14, 2025. The morning routine is an essential part of preparing the farm for a busy day ahead. 
Volunteer Joanne Spangler plots out her garden beds, or as she likes to say, “plays with soil,” at the Campus Student Organic Farm on March 14, 2025. 
Farm director Dr. Fay Hansen displays plants from the farm in preparation for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day Sale on Friday, March 14, 2025. The sale, held on Monday, March 17, 2025. 
Farm manager Shane Dawson (left) and crew member Riayn Hanson (right) work to fix the heat and lights in the main house at the Campus Student Organic Farm on March 14, 2025. 
Farm Director Dr. Fay Hansen and farm manager Shane Dawson looking at a problem with the watering system in the Salad palace at the Campus Student Organic Farm on March 14, 2025.
A whiteboard in the classroom outlines the final tasks for Friday, March 14, 2025, as the Campus Student Organic Farm prepares to close for the day. The checklist includes watering plants, doing the dishes, turning off electronics, and ensuring all gates and doors are securely closed. 
A whiteboard dispalys volunteer dates, hours, and the farm’s phone number is visible when you first walk into the main house at the Campus Student Organic Farm on March 14, 2025.
Patrice's blog 