CLICK TO HEAR JACK HALL’S INTERVIEW WITH MARY ANTONIA ANDRONIS
Audio PlayerSUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITY FOR MARQUETTE COUNTY KIDS
Partridge Creek Farm (PCF) is thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the 2025 Farm to School Summer Camp. Parents and guardians of students who have completed 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in Marquette County during the 2024-2025 school year are eligible to apply through their website, PartridgeCreekFarm.org/summercamp. This immersive, hands-on learning experience is designed for Marquette County students offering them a unique opportunity to explore gardening, food cultivation, nutrition, and healthy cooking.
The Farm to School Summer Camp aims to inspire youth to make informed, healthy food choices while fostering an appreciation for sustainable agriculture. Throughout the nearly week-long sessions, participants will engage in gardening activities, cooking lessons, food-based art projects, and physical movement exercises. All sessions will take place at the Partridge Creek Community Gardens and Community Farm in Ishpeming. The 2025 Farm to School Summer Camp was made possible by the support of the Superior Health Foundation and Marquette Alger RESA.
The application period opens on April 1, 2025, and all applications must be submitted by May 2nd, 2025, via the PCF website at PartridgeCreekFarm.org/summercamp. A parent or guardian must complete the application, selecting one to three preferred sessions. Due to limited space, participation is not guaranteed. Official acceptance notifications will be sent out in May.
Additionally, participants must have reliable transportation to and from camp each day.
The camp will be held once a month, Monday through Thursday, from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Interested participants can select from one or all of the following sessions:
June 23-26
July 21-24
August 11-14
As part of Partridge Creek Farm’s commitment to community education, scholarships covering 100% of the cost for a single session will be available for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. A limited number of scholarships will be awarded per session. Families interested in financial assistance should indicate their request on the application. Each child is eligible for one scholarship per year.
By expanding this initiative, Partridge Creek Farm aims to provide valuable educational experiences, encourage sustainable food practices, and promote lifelong healthy eating habits among youth in Marquette County.
FREE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CENTRAL U.P. TEACHERS
Partridge Creek Farm (PCF) in partnership with Marquette-Alger RESA and MSU UP Research and Extension Center is excited to announce that registration is now open for the upcoming 2025 Central UP Farm to School Institute. The event will take place June 11-12 in downtown Ishpeming, MI. This free professional development opportunity welcomes educators, food service directors, farmers, food producers, and community partners who are passionate about local food education. Participants can register for this event at PartridgeCreekFarm.org/farm-to-school-institute.
The Farm to School Institute is a professional development event designed to provide attendees with the knowledge, resources, and strategies necessary to implement successful farm-to-school initiatives in their communities. Through interactive workshops, hands-on sessions, and networking opportunities, participants will gain valuable insights into incorporating local food into school meals, integrating agriculture-based curriculum into classrooms, and fostering meaningful connections between students, food, and local producers.
Mary Antonia Andronis, Partridge Creek Farm’s Director of Programs and Partnerships highlights the importance of collaboration, stating,”the Central UP Farm-to-School Institute represents a unique opportunity to share and collaborate with other educators in our region and beyond. Promoting agricultural education in the classroom, lunchroom, and beyond is of utmost importance to promoting healthier kids and communities, ultimately growing our resilience together.”
Attendees are encouraged to share this opportunity with colleagues, friends, and others who are interested in advancing local food education. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Stipends and free SCECHs are available for teachers, and travel funding is also offered. Together, we can cultivate a brighter, healthier future for our children and communities.
To register for the 2025 Farm to School Institute and learn more about the event, please visit PartridgeCreekFarm.org/farm-to-school-institute. Spaces are limited, so early registration is encouraged. This event is supported by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund.
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