Garden Member Agreement

1 Garden Member per week will be responsible for grasscutting or composting. You will choose dates upon signing your welcome packet.

View a step-by-step composting guide here.

1. All gardeners are required to complete an application form. A plot fee of $45 is due in order to secure your bed. Please sign-up through our website to rent a bed.

2. Members must keep their garden beds clean and free of weeds.

3. Pathways surrounding your bed must remain clear of tools, pots, or other items at all times.

4. Members may only harvest from their own garden beds. Taking crops from other beds is not allowed unless you have direct permission from the gardener.

5. While we love animals, pets are not permitted in the garden due to food safety regulations and as a courtesy to other members.

6. No Smoking or Tobacco Use:

   • Smoking, vaping, and chewing tobacco are prohibited within the garden.

   • Tobacco products can transmit diseases to plants, especially tomatoes.

7. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times while in the garden.

Reserve your bed through our website. All sign-ups must be recorded through this process.

• The annual garden fee is $45

Accepted Payment Types:

1. Pay with card through our website.

2. Pay with cash OR check: If you are paying with cash/check the payment will need to be received within 7 days of sign-up.

   1. Make checks out to Partridge Creek Farm

   2. If mailing payment send to: PO Box 4 Ishpeming MI 49849

If you need assistance or do not have access to a computer please see the following options:

• Call our office for sign-up assistance: You may call our office at (906) 376-4171 and one of our staff can assist you through this process over the phone.

  OR

• Sign-up at our office if you do not have computer access: You may stop by our office to sign-up in person please call ahead to schedule an appointment, (906) 376-4171.

Due to the structure of our garden rental program, refunds will not be issued. If you are unable to maintain your plot for any reason, your payment will be used to support garden upkeep.

• No refunds will be given after your payment is received.

As this is a shared community gardening space we require a few steps to prepare for the growing season, and a few steps to end the growing season. Please read the timeline to better understand important gardening dates.

• May 19th: Rental sign-up period ends.

• June 1st: Member orientation. Members will receive an email regarding their orientation date with further instructions on meeting location and meeting time.

• June 1st-October: Members are welcome to begin planting after orientation. Water will be turned on, in June. Members will tend to their gardens until Oct.

• October: Members will receive an email regarding dates for a garden clean-up. Here members will receive guidance from the Garden Manager to help clean-up and prepare the beds for winter.

Partridge Creek Farm will offer the following provisions to help our members have a smooth gardening journey:

1. Provide Water Access: A water source will be available during the growing season, from June 1st to October 1st.

2. Reinvest in the Garden: All funds from bed rentals will go toward covering water costs and improving the community garden.

3. Host a Garden Orientation: An orientation will be held on May 29th from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Ishpeming Public Library (301 E. Euclid St., Ishpeming, MI) to share important information and answer questions.

4. Offer Ongoing Support: Garden-related inquiries and advice will be addressed via email or in person when possible during Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–4:00 pm.

• Turn on the main irrigation spigot located at the SW corner of the garden to activate water for all other spigots.

• Before leaving, turn off all spigots—especially the main spigot.

• Do not adjust any other valves near the main spigot—tampering can cause leaks and equipment failure.

• Water is provided by Partridge Creek Farm. Excessive water use for purposes other than irrigating garden beds may result in cancellation of garden access without a refund.

Provide Your Own Supplies: Members are responsible for bringing their own seeds, plants, fertilizers, and other gardening materials. Shared gardening tools will be available in the garden shed, but availability may vary.

2. Shared Shed Use:
   

   • The community garden shed is available for all members to store tools and supplies. Please keep the space neat and organized, and do not use other gardeners' items without permission.

   • Gas is strictly for PCF lawn care equipment (lawnmower and weed whip) only.

   • Secure the Shed: Always lock the shed after use and spin the dials to reset the code. The shed code is 4171—do not share it with anyone other than PCF Community Garden Members.

• The planting of illegal or restricted crops is not allowed. This includes but is not limited to cannabis, perennial plants, invasive species, and tobacco.

• The farm manager will determine whether plants are invasive, problematic, or otherwise prohibited by the State of Michigan.

No synthetic chemicals or animal traps.

• Traps that kill or harm wildlife (including rodents, reptiles, or birds) are not allowed.

• The use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides is strictly prohibited.

We suggest the following options if you are unable to water your garden bed:

• Have a friend or family member look after your plot.

  • We ask that you please let your garden bed neighbor know someone else will be looking over your plot while you’re gone!

• Ask another garden member if they could look after your plot while you’re gone.

If You See Something, Say Something—Notice a stranger taking produce from a neighbor’s plot? Get a description of hem and let the Community Garden co-leaders as soon as you can.

Report theft, vandalism and unusual activities to garden leaders and law enforcement. The more people who are looking out for the garden and talking about what’s going on, the more success you’ll have at being safe and curbing unwanted activities.