Starbucks Team Volunteers at MSU Student Organic Farm

On Saturday, April 14, MSU Starbucks team members traveled to the south side of campus to volunteer at the MSU Student Organic Farm (SOF). The community service project was organized in honor of the MSU Day of Service and Starbucks Global Month of Service recognized in April.

Store managers and baristas assisted with pulling weeds, grooming soil, clearing rocks and other indoor tasks due to wet weather conditions. “I loved the fact that we could still help out despite the rain and cold,” shared Katie Pomaville, manager of the 1855 Place Starbucks. “There is so much to do at the Student Organic Farm!”

Located off College Road, the MSU SOF is a 15-acre, certified organic year-round teaching and production farm. According to Sarah Geurkink, SOF production manager, they have a group of individual volunteers throughout the week and 3-4 volunteer groups per year. “I didn’t know the Starbucks crew was such a tight knit community,” she noted. “This team came at the ugliest time of year and were positive, on task and a joy to work with all day!”

In addition to learning more about diversified production at the farm, Starbucks team members gained knowledge of the ties between their operations and the SOF. “Something that stuck with me during my visit was learning that our coffee grounds go to the farm for composting,” Nitasha Cox, manager of the Broad College of Business Starbucks, added. “Starbucks coffee beans are closely and carefully grown, so it’s rewarding to know that our grounds are still of great use even after customers get their cups.”