Partridge Creek Farm & Community Partners Host 4th Annual 2026 Central UP Farm-to-School Institute

For the past four years Partridge Creek Farm, Michigan State University Upper Peninsula Research Extension Center, and Marquette Alger-RESA have hosted the Central UP Farm-to-School Institute in Ishpeming, MI. During this free, two-day training at the Mather Inn attendees learned about engaging students in school gardens, project-based learning, and safe integration of local ingredients into the cafeteria. Participants learned to link academic subjects with food systems change while building a network of regional food partners.

Every attendee walked away with a variety of resources including curriculum and practical strategies to enhance local food partners.

2026 Central UP Farm-to-School Institute Presenters

Day 1 Agenda

Day 1 featured a wonderful group of passionate presenters join the Institute.

• Keynote Speaker & Presentation

  • Dr Lanae Joubert, Associate Professor of Nutrition-School of Health and Human Performance Northern Michigan University

• Physical Literacy & Nature- Based Learning

  • Theresa Champion, Mental Health Specialist, MARESA, and Whitney Schampers, Lead Preschool Teacher, Negaunee Mini-Miners Learning Center

• Observation Club

  • Emily Lancot, Director and Curator, NMU Devos Museum

• Community Partner Mixer

  • Marquette-Alger RESA, Marquette County Conservation District, Michigan State University Extension, NMU-Controlled Environment Agriculture Program, NMU-School of Health and Human Performance, Northwoods Test Kitchen, Partridge Creek Compost, NMU Seaborg Center/ MiSTEM Network, Superior Central School, Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress (UPCAP)

Day 2 Agenda

Day two of the Institute featured even more exciting topics and included a Partridge Creek Community Farm tour!

• Artful Flavors: Sharing Food Stories Through Writing and the Arts

  • Melissa Hronkin, Art Teach, Houghton Elementary School

• Tips for Classroom Food Demos

  • Sarah Monte, Outreach Director, Marquette Food Cooperative

• Beekeeping in Schools

  • Morgan Kangas-Miller, 5th grade teacher, Ishpeming Public Schools & Ishpeming Bee Club Sponsor

• Growing Food For Schools

  • Partridge Creek Farm Tour: Mary Antonia Andronis, Executive Director of Programs & Partnerships Partridge Creek Farm

• Food without Fear: Transforming the Way We Speak and Think

  • Megan Jaszczak, Community Health Educator, Copper Shores Community Health Foundation

• Find the Joy in Farm-to-School, Avoid the Burnout

  • Margaret Hanson, Culinary Teacher, Copper Island Academy