Ishpeming farm looks to boost its yield — of food and friends— thanks to MDARD grant

A 3.5-acre farm in downtown Ishpeming is taking another giant step forward with the help of a $100,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Partridge Creek Farm, dedicated to food access and education, has been awarded a Rural Development Fund Grant, the second grant awarded to help the farm’s program expansion.

The farm has become a hub for fresh food, community engagement, and hands-on learning on the west side of Marquette County. Now entering phase three of its development, the Partridge Creek Farm is set to get bigger, grow more food, and deepen its impact on local food system development. 

“We’ll be using the(se) funds to continue developing our farm site,” says Partridge Creek Farm Manager Allison Stawara.

What’s happening: Partridge Creek Farm has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The money will be used to build a new hoop house for more off-season growing opportunities, as well as more drainage access throughout the property. Improved drainage systems will enhance crop yields and boost the soil to increase its nutrients. In addition, new fencing will be erected to protect the expanded growing area from marauding deer and other wildlife. The money will also cover renting essential equipment and engineering services to support these efforts. 

Together, the enhancements are expected to double the farm’s production capacity by the summer of 2026, which will enable the farm to expand its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, boost fresh food donations, and increase educational opportunities for students in the Ishpeming Public School District and local residents.

“Specifically, we’re focusing on the west side,” Stawara says, “finishing key groundwork outlined in our farm plan to expand our growing area and address some water management challenges. These improvements will help us grow more food and better serve our mission of feeding and supporting our community, which is exciting to see come to life.”

The next phase of expansion also strengthens Partridge Creek Farm’s role in the Food Futures Project, a regional initiative to build a farm-to-cafeteria supply chain across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. As part of this work, the farm leads crop planning to align local farms with school nutrition standards, provides professional development for food service staff and farmers, engages students through taste tests and school garden activities, and supports the Food Stories and LIFT-UP projects.

Those projects are supported by the Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub, in collaboration with Michigan State University Extension, Marquette-Alger RESA, Northwoods Test Kitchen, and Chartwells.

How it began: Partridge Creek Farm started as a community based non-profit organization in 2013. Prior to 2024, Partridge Creek Farm exclusively grew food in five community gardens, with an annual yield of about 2,000 pounds of food. A volunteer organization until 2020, the farm added four new employees in 2024.

In 2022, an MDARD grant award to the Ishpeming Public School District was used to build the initial outdoor classroom space featured at Partridge Creek Community Farm. The farm launched its first growing season in 2024. The first round of grant funding was used to enhance programs to educate and share information about gardening skills, plants, and cultural traditions by allowing for educational opportunities for all age groups. 

What's next: The long-term plan for the farm includes one full acre of production growing, a permanent wash pack building, a community building, an outdoor classroom, two hoop houses, a geo-thermal hoop house, and more.
These features will help the farm reach its goal of producing locally grown food year-round.

Who are the other funders: Partridge Creek Farm is one of several organizations selected for support through MDARD’s 2025 Rural Development Fund Grant program. Other 2025 funding partners include the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Community Center Grant, Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub, Superior Health Foundation, West End Health Foundation, Marquette Breakfast Rotary, and Trust for Civic Life.

Rosemary Parker has worked as a writer and editor for more than 40 years. She is a regular contributor to UPword Michigan, Rural Innovation Exchange and other Issue Media Group publications.