PCF and Community Partners Host the 3rd Annual Central UP Farm-to-School Institute
2025 Farm-to-School Institute Attendees pose in front of The Mather.
On June 11th-12th 2025 Partridge Creek Farm, Marquette Alger RESA, and MSU UP Research and Extension Center hosted Farm-to-School attendees in Ishpeming at the historic Mather for the third year of the institute!
The Central UP Farm-to-School Institute is a FREE 2 day professional development opportunity to help teachers, food service directors, and community partners gain experience with local food through project-based learning.
About the 2025 Institute
The 2025 Agenda
Attendees participated in 2 days of professional development opportunities to learn more about implementing Farm-to-School programming and healthy eating into their classroom spaces. View the agenda below.
Power of Produce youth program led by PCF’s Keats Dormont, Education Coordinator
Art and the Garden Environment led by Jordan Russel, Founder of Let’s Grow KI
Cooking in Classrooms led by Meghsn Jaszczak Community Health Educator, and Karyn Juntunen Farm to School Coordinator, Copper Shores Community Health Foundation
Universal Garden Design led by Emily Barglind Teacher, Sarah Weaver Garden Club Leader, and Kacey Kallenbach Occupational Therapist, Negaunee Schools
Tasting Like a Chef, led by Elissa Penczar Chef and Instructor at Muskegon Area Career Tech Center, and Alex Palzewicz, Northwoods Test Kitchen Chef and Chartwells Lunch Service
PCF Farm & Gardens Tour, led by PCF’s Director of Programs and Partnerships Mary Antonia Andronis
Connecting With Farm to School Support Organizations, presented by, MiSTEM, 10 Cents a Meal, Michigan Farm to Institution Network, and Fork Farms
Food Safety: Cultivating Culture, led by Landen Tetil, Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety Technician, Marquette County Conservation District
Join Us In 2026
Join Farm-to-School Institutue in 2026 to learn more about your Farm-to-School journey, ask important questions, and build community connections.
We’d love to invite Food Service Workers, Educators, and Community Partners to sign-up for our 2026 Farm-to-School Institute Waitlist! We will alert you next winter when registration is open.
Thank you to the 2025 Farm-to-School Institute partners and presenters:
