Big Win For Food Security In Ishpeming |Partridge Creek Farm And Community Help Reach Giving Tuesday Goal!

This photo was taken by Grow and Lead during PCF’s Giving Tuesday event at Velodrome in Marquette. Also featured is PCF’s sister organization Partridge Creek Compost.

Thanks to the incredible support of our community, Partridge Creek Farm is delighted to announce that we not only met our fundraising goal of $5,000 but exceeded it, raising an impressive $5,588.52! With the generous contribution of an anonymous donor, our total campaign funds reached an outstanding $10,848.10. We are deeply grateful for your continued support and belief in our mission.

Giving Tuesday Celebration At Velodrome

On December 3rd, the Partridge Creek team had the pleasure of connecting with our community at both the Marquette and Ishpeming Velodrome locations. During these events, our team shared details about our campaign and community programs, working toward achieving our Giving Tuesday goal together. We were also joined by our sister organization, Partridge Creek Compost, which facilitated curbside compost sign-ups, generously sponsored by Velodrome for the first month.

Adding a flavorful touch to the day, Velodrome and 231 Patisserie prepared a delicious carrot and squash soup available for purchase, with proceeds directly supporting our campaign. This initiative alone raised an impressive $100 in donations, truly showcasing the power of community collaboration.

A Win For Food Security In Our Community

Our community came together to achieve something truly remarkable: raising over $5,000 to secure the land where our Community Garden resides. This milestone is especially significant for Ishpeming, where 18.3% of residents face limited access to fresh, affordable food, classifying our area as a food desert.

Thanks to the incredible support of our neighbors and supporters, 24 families and community members now have the continued opportunity to grow fresh, affordable produce right here, strengthening both our food security and our sense of community.

We’ve Exceeded Our Goal | What This Means For Our Communtiy Garden

With the help from our community and an anonymous donor we are able to invest these funds raised over our $5,000 base goal back into the Community Garden space making this site more accessible and usable for our 24 Members.

Danielle Sidor, PCF’s Community Food Access Manager, will dedicate her efforts this winter to strategically utilizing these funds to enhance the garden for its members. A key focus will be repairing garden beds to ensure safe use and removing the deteriorating hoop house structure to improve safety while creating additional growing space. While maintenance will require time and careful planning, we are thrilled to embark on this journey to revitalize the garden thanks to this generous support.

Any funds collected beyond the $5,000 base goal will go towards improving and maintaining the Community Garden.

• $7,000 | Repair 10 Garden Beds

  Many of the raised beds at the Community Garden were built 10 years ago. Until we are able to secure funding for a full rebuild of beds, we are seeking funding to help repair 10 beds that are in desperate need.

• $7,300 | Purchase 3 Benches

  Providing seating for our Community Garden Members is important for resting, or conversing with friends.

• $7,800 | New Gate

  Our existing gate works…sometimes. And other times it can put up a good fight. Having a new, functional, reliable gate that takes into mind accessibility, will ensure easy access to our Garden Members.

• $8,800 | Removal Of Hoop House Structure

  There is an old hoop house on site that is sadly beyond repair. Removing this structure will clear the way for us to add additional raised beds to this space and welcome more community members.

• $9,300 | Composting System Upgrade

  Each garden site that is stewarded by Partridge Creek Farm has a composting area for weeds, grass clippings, soil, etc. The existing system at the Community Garden needs to be updated.

• $10,000 | Purchase New Garden Tools For Members

  We do our best to provide basic tools to our Garden Members. Some current needs includes hoes, rakes, pruners, shovels, trimmers and a lawn mower.

Thank You!

Thank you again to our community and community partners for your support this Giving Tuesday. We simply could not do this without YOU!

Staff cheers with sparkling juice to celebrate Giving Tuesday!