CHATHAM, Mich. — A recently built hoophouse is one component of a new farmer apprentice program in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.).

“We’ve been working on the whole idea of how hoophouses can help people connect with farming, for a long time,” said John Biernbaum, a professor of horticulture at Michigan State University.

This latest construction, completed in May, is enabling staff of MSU’s North Farm to extend the season for both summer and cool-weather vegetables, Biernbaum explained. It does this by allowing growers to plant tomatoes, for example, several weeks earlier than normal.

Biernbaum was more interested in how the hoophouse could extend the season for cool-weather vegetables such as spinach, kale, chard, Asian greens, leaf lettuce and others. Although the hoophouse isn’t heated, the structure protects the vegetables from wind and other elements so they aren’t damaged during the cold months, enabling a later harvest than usual.

The hoophouse is part of a revitalization of the university’s U.P. Research and Extension Center, located just north of Chatham, of which the North Farm is part. Until recently the site had been used mainly for cattle grazing and much of the property was falling into disuse. This past summer, though, MSU staff grew some field vegetables in addition to using the new hoophouse.

They are also working on refurbishing an old root cellar that fell into disuse decades ago. The cellar is located at a smaller barn on the North Farm that was damaged some time ago.

According to Biernbaum, people have “kind of forgotten” that root cellars can be an excellent way to store produce, and that it was a method used for hundreds of years. Right now they are working on getting refrigeration for the root cellar.

Another one of the goals for the North Farm is to provide data to other growers, academics and agriculture professionals regarding cool-weather vegetable production, season extension technologies, cold storage technologies and organic soil management practices. MSU staff are planning on doing variety trials there to provide information into what works well in cold conditions.

The center is also now looking for applicants for its apprentice farmer program, a farm incubator that aims to serve as the launching point for individuals interested in starting their own farming enterprise. It’s a two-year residential program that provides entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and assistance needed to ensure a solid start to a farming career.

Land, equipment, tools and mentorship are provided to qualified applicants so they can develop a business plan, establish accounts, build capital and fine-tune skills. According to the North Farm website, the apprentice farmers “will grow alongside the talented North Farm staff and other apprentice farmers, sharing ideas, techniques and labor.”

MSU is also planning a novice farmer program beginning in 2017, a for-credit classroom type program; and a “skill seekers” program, which will be for current farmers or other adults just looking for a quick workshop on the farm.

According to Biernbaum, there are other incubator farm programs in the state, including ones in Ann Arbor, Traverse City and Lansing.

“I’d like to think of what we’re doing as part of something that will someday be thought of as a network,” he said. “One of the good takeaways here is the university being able to work with local people there on building the local food systems and how they want to see things done.”

For more information on the North Farm or the apprentice farmer program, visit www.msunorthfarm.org