Partridge Creek Farm Awarded $100,000 Rural Development Fund Grant from MDARD to Support Major Expansion in Ishpeming
Partridge Creek Farm is proud to announce its selection as one of the recipients of the 2025 Rural Development Grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). This grant program is designed to foster economic growth and enhance quality of life in Michigan’s rural communities.
According to MDARD’s press release, the grant specifically aims to “promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support infrastructure that benefits rural communities.”
Partridge Creek Farm extends its congratulations to the other Upper Peninsula organizations that were also selected for this year’s grant and is honored to be among such impactful initiatives.
Empowering Growth: The Impact of This Grant on Partridge Creek Farm
How PCF Will Utilize These Funds
This grant will support Phase 3 expansion of the Partridge Creek Community Farm, including:
Upgrades to help with drainage on site which will result in higher yields of produce.
Investment in soil health to build up nutrient dense soil which promotes a healthy ecosystem and will also directly impact produce yields.
New fencing to secure and protect the expanded production zone at the Community Farm from wildlife, specifically deer.
Equipment rentals and engineering services to facilitate all this great work.
Together, these investments will double the farm’s growing space by Summer 2026—allowing PCF to scale its CSA program, increase its donation capacity, and create more hands-on learning opportunities for Ishpeming Public School District students and community members.
Strengthening Ongoing Efforts
The MDARD-funded expansion will directly strengthen ongoing efforts supported by the Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub: Food Futures Project, a multi-year regional collaboration between PCF, Michigan State University Extension, Marquette-Alger RESA, Northwoods Test Kitchen, and Chartwells. Through Food Futures, Partridge Creek Farm is helping build a local farm-to-cafeteria supply chain while integrating student-driven research, food safety training, and cultural food storytelling into the school system.
As part of this effort, PCF is supporting:
Crop planning and sourcing to align local farms with school nutrition standards
Professional development for food service directors and small farmers
Student engagement through taste tests, interviews, and school garden programming
Food Stories and LIFT-UP projects, which center youth voices and community knowledge in food systems change
Partridge Creek Farm wants to thank existing 2025 grant funders including the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, US Department of Agriculture, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Community Center Grant, Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub, Superior Health Foundation, West End Health Foundation, Marquette Breakfast Rotary, and Trust for Civic Life.
Partridge Creek Farm is one of several recipients of MDARD’s 2025 Rural Development Fund Grants. For more information on the program, visit Michigan.gov/MDARD.
