Growing Healthy Habits: Partridge Creek Farm's Farm-to-School Summer Camps

‍Partridge Creek Farm, based in Ishpeming, is dedicated to connecting people to their food, the environment, and one another. Through hands-on agricultural education, the organization works to reduce food insecurity and build community capacity around growing, preparing, and sharing nutritious food.

In 2025, with support from Superior Health Foundation, Partridge Creek Farm expanded that work to middle school youth across Marquette County through its Farm-to-School Summer Camps. Reaching more than 20 youth from communities across Marquette County, the camps offered daily, hands-on learning in gardening, food preparation, and sustainable agriculture, giving participants a direct relationship with the food they grow and eat.

The results from informal post-program surveys were clear: more than 90% of participants reported a greater appreciation for gardening and locally grown food, and 100% tried a new fruit, vegetable, or herb during the program. For many, it was their first time planting a seed, harvesting a vegetable, or preparing a meal from scratch.

The 2025 season also marked an intentional expansion of the program's reach. For the first time, the camps included 7th and 8th graders alongside younger students, creating natural mentorship opportunities across age groups. Several participants returned for multiple sessions, a signal that the program is building the kind of sustained engagement that supports long-term healthy habits.

Funding from SHF helped Partridge Creek Farm cover essential infrastructure for the outdoor program, daily healthy meals for participants, and educational resources for families to take home, extending the learning beyond camp and into households across the county.

To learn more about Partridge Creek Farm, visit: https://partridgecreekfarm.org/‍ ‍

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