MSU Tollgate Farm School and Community Program Visit

Come visit Michigan State University Tollgate Farm! 

Visits to Tollgate Farm are interactive, educational, and fun! We offer a range of different programs about environmental education. 

Programs are $12/per adult and $12/per child. Teachers are free.  

Once you find a program that your group will love: 

  • Choose a program for you and your group to enjoy! 
  • Fill out our reservation form. 
  • A staff member will reach out for the next steps of finalizing a reservation. This should not take longer than 2 weeks.  
  • We will keep you updated if we have your preferred dates available. We hold dates for a maximum of 2 weeks.  
  • We allow for a maximum of 70 children and 10 adults per visitation date. Larger groups may book multiple dates.  

Once your trip is confirmed and how to prepare: 

  • Provide final head count and payment 2 weeks in advance of your visit. 
  • You will get a confirmation email with all of your information. This includes a welcome letter, map of the farm, and parking information.  
  • Divide your total number into smaller groups. Tollgate recommends a maximum of 16 children per group. 
  • Dress for the weather! The majority of our programs are outside. In cases of extreme weather, rotations can be moved indoors.  
  • Bring lunches to enjoy in our barn or pavilion. Lunch is typically 12:00 PM-12:30 PM. 
  • We accept checks made payable to "Michigan State University" or payment by credit card via Cashnet through invoice. Cash will not be accepted. 

Once you arrive to the farm: 

  • Please arrive fifteen minutes before your program. Arrival and/or lunch times are adjustable if needed. Most programs have an arrival time of 9:45 AM and the program begins at 10:00 AM.  
  • Place lunches in barn upon arrival. 
  • Participate in large group orientation.  
  • Rotate through (4-5) 25-35 minute interactive rotations led by an educational leader! 
  • Enjoy lunch in our historic barn or outside under our pavilion. 
  • Go for a 30 minute self-guided tour if you would like to continue your stay! 

Financial Aid for Educational Programs 

Tollgate strives to provide opportunities for youth and adults of all income levels and welcomes a broad cross-section of participants to experience farm-based experiential learning. To learn about how to apply for financial aid, visit the Tollgate financial aid webpage. 

Questions? Please contact Kassie LaVigne, via email at lavignek@msu.edu