Ishpeming Middle School Farm-to-School Class Celebrates Fall by Making Apple Cider

Photo Credit: Photos by PCF’s Mary Antonia Andronis and Keats Dormont. Ishpeming Middle School and High School students harvest apples and use a cider press to make fresh apple cider.

In early September of 2025 our Farm to School program welcomed Ishpeming Middle School 5th and 6th grade students back into the Middle School Garden. This year, our 6th grade students have the special opportunity to learn alongside the Ishpeming High School CTE (career technical education) class, Flipping the Food System taught by PCF’s Education Coordinator, Keats Dormont.

Farm-to-School Fall Activity

Apple Cider Making

In late September during a Farm to School class, Middle School students in the Farm-to-School program and High School students in the CTE Flipping the Food System class collaboratively made apple cider. The High School students led Middle School students around Ishpeming to harvest local apples which were then used to make apple cider using a cider press.

This activity allowed both Middle School and High School students to learn more about their local food system. While making apple cider is a fun fall activity, students learned more about seasonal produce in their area.

Photo Credit: PCF’s Mary Antonia Andronis. Ishpeming Middle School and High School students make apple cider in a cider press.