Northern Michigan University (NMU) - Post-Secondary Education - Michigan

Industry

Education

Challenge

NMU sought to integrate practical, hands-on agricultural education into their curriculum, address food security on campus, and provide students with industry-relevant skills and experience in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA).

Results

The partnership with Fork Farms has led to comprehensive educational integration, commercial impact, and workforce development. Flex Farms and Flex Acre systems are now integral to NMU's STEM and agricultural education curriculum, providing students with essential skills in system assembly, growing techniques, and operational maintenance. The commercial impact includes selling produce to NMU dining and the installation of additional Flex Farms for the campus food pantry. Workforce development has been significant, with 70% of the first graduating class securing jobs immediately, many in management roles.

Key Product

Flex Farm, Flex Acre

70%

First graduating class job placement rate

Number of Flex Farms in educational labs

Number of Flex Acre units in commercial grow room

It’s empowering when students walk out of the lab knowing how to build and run a system.

Kari Farkas

NMU - CEA Program Coordinator

The Flex Acre has become our go-to for commercial production due to its user-friendly design and lower maintenance.

Kari Farkas

NMU - CEA Program Coordinator

About NMU

Northern Michigan University (NMU) is a higher education institution located in Marquette, MI. The university focuses on STEM and agricultural education, food security, workforce development, and sustainability, with a mission to empower students through hands-on, interdisciplinary education that prepares them for leadership in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) and related industries.

The Challenge

Northern Michigan University (NMU) sought to enhance its STEM and agricultural education programs by offering students hands-on experience in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). Additionally, NMU sought to address food security on campus and equip students with industry-relevant skills that would make them competitive in the job market.

The Solution

NMU partners with Fork Farms to integrate Flex Farms and a Flex Acre for educational labs and commercial-scale growing. Fork Farms has stood out due to its user-friendly design and lower labor demands. As one NMU faculty member stated, “The Flex Acre has become our go-to for commercial production due to its user-friendly design and lower maintenance.” The Flex systems were integrated into academic coursework that covered hydroponics, food safety, and facility design. This provides students with hands-on training in maintenance, operations, and SOP development. Additionally, the systems are used for commercial growing for NMU Dining Services, allowing students to sell the produce directly to food services.

The Results

The implementation of Fork Farms' systems has yielded significant results. Educationally, Flex Farms are used to teach system assembly, growing techniques, light efficiency, and operational maintenance, allowing students to learn through trial, error, and capstone builds. Commercially, the produce grown is sold directly to NMU Dining Services, and a new food pantry installation includes two additional Flex Farms funded by a $150K grant. In terms of workforce development, 70% of the first graduating class secured jobs immediately, with many moving into management roles. As an NMU faculty member mentioned, “It’s empowering when students walk out of the lab knowing how to build and run a system.”