PARTRIDGE CREEK FARM INC

What PARTRIDGE CREEK FARM INC does

Partridge Creek Farm Inc is a Michigan-based 501(c)-style nonprofit founded in 2013 in Ishpeming that operates a vertically integrated food access and food education enterprise across Marquette County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The organization runs a 3.75-acre Community Farm (established 2022, inaugural production 2024), four community garden sites, an Ishpeming Middle School Garden with greenhouse and CTE horticulture program, and the seasonal West End Farm Stand. Its core products are a 17-week CSA Produce Subscription Box ($350/season standard, $5.15/week subsidized via SNAP/EBT through the Michigan Farm to Family program), garden bed rentals ($45/season across traditional and ADA-accessible units), and a wholesale produce program delivered Tuesdays/Wednesdays to local restaurants (Velodrome Coffee Company, Strega Nonna, Kognisjon Brewery) and institutional buyers (Chartwells Food Service via Ishpeming School District). Technology and production methods are limited to regenerative and permaculture practices adapted to UP climate — hoophouses/high tunnels, hot-water seed treatment, FSMA-compliant wash/pack, and participation in the 2025-26 Cover Crop Breeding Network winter pea trial — with Tend used for wholesale order management and Squarespace/Neon CRM for web and donor registration.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit: earned revenue from CSA subscriptions, farm stand retail, wholesale, and garden rentals is supplemented and dwarfed by grant funding from MDARD, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, Superior Health Foundation, Hirvonen Foundation, West End Health Foundation, Community Foundation of Marquette, the Lake Michigan School Food Systems Innovation Hub, and corporate donors (Rotary Club of Marquette, TruNorth Credit Union, UPPCO, Cattron's Lumber, McElroy Metal, Eagle Mine). Education programs — Farm-to-School Summer Camp, Central UP Farm-to-School Institute, youth programming, community workshops, and Power of Produce — are delivered free or on sliding scale, with operations underwritten by grants and donations. Customer segments span food-insecure ALICE households (52% of farm stand shoppers use food assistance; 41% of Ishpeming families are ALICE; 80% of students receive free/reduced lunch), local restaurants, K-12 students (500+ reached since founding), seniors (200+ via workshops), and home gardeners.

The organization is governed by a board and led by a co-leadership model — Co-Executive Director of Operations and Finance Shana Donner (joined March 2026) alongside Director of Programs and Partnerships Mary Antonia Andronis, with Farm Manager Allison Stawara recognized with the MSU AgeAlive Award for intergenerational programming in 2026. Partnerships with Salvation Army Ishpeming (only fresh-produce donor to their food pantry; 289 families / $1,368 value in 2024), MARESA, MSU UPREC, Northern Michigan University, the Lake Superior Community Partnership, and the USDA-supported Food Futures Project form the operational backbone of PCF's community-rooted model.

Name

PARTRIDGE CREEK FARM INC

Legal name

Partridge Creek Farm

Website

https://partridgecreekfarm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Partridge Creek Farm is a Michigan nonprofit operating a community farm, CSA subscriptions, farm stand, and wholesale produce program in Ishpeming's Upper Peninsula, serving food-insecure households, local restaurants, and K-12 students through grant-funded food access and farm-to-school education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Agriculture & Food Access Services

NAICS

Food Crops Grown Under Cover (11141), Farm Management Services (115116), Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers (444240)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Farm-to-Consumer Produce Boxes / CSA Delivery (AFAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Farmers’ Markets & Farm Stands (Fresh Food) (CRAHAHAE)

Keywords

• Community supported agriculture
• Sustainable farming practices
• Farm-to-school education
• Community garden programs
• Nonprofit food access

Headquarters

HQ city

Ishpeming

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Farm Stand Retail Sales: Direct retail sales of fresh produce through the West End Farm Stand open seasonally (June-October). Accepts multiple payment methods including SNAP/EBT, Cash, Card, and Food as Medicine Vouchers.
2. CSA Subscription: Community Supported Agriculture subscription model providing 17 weeks of fresh produce. Standard price $350/season (~$20/week). SNAP/EBT customers pay $5.15/week through Michigan Farm to Family program at 75% discount. Payment due in full at sign-up for standard members; weekly payment for SNAP members.
3. Wholesale Produce Sales: B2B produce sales to local restaurants and businesses. Weekly offer sheets sent via email, orders processed through Tend platform, harvested Monday-Tuesday, delivered Tuesday/Wednesday. Pricing updated annually based on market trends.
4. Community Garden Bed Rentals: Annual rental of garden beds at community garden sites. Traditional beds 5'x12' and mobility-friendly beds 4'x8' available. Cost is $45 per bed per season (June-October).
5. Donations and Grant Funding: PCF operates as a nonprofit organization relying heavily on grant funding (MDARD, Community Foundation of Marquette, West End Health Foundation, Hirvonen Foundation, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, Superior Health Foundation, etc.) and community donations to support operations and expansion.
6. Farm-to-School Programming: Free educational programming including Farm-to-School Institute (professional development for teachers), youth programs, and school partnerships. Funded through grants and donations rather than direct revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Partridge Creek Farm operates a 3.75-acre Community Farm and four community garden sites in Ishpeming, Michigan, producing fresh vegetables and herbs sold through a 17-week CSA Produce Subscription Box, a seasonal West End Farm Stand (Wednesdays, June-October), and a Wholesale Produce Program serving local restaurants. The organization supplements these with Community Garden Bed Rentals, food bank donations (Salvation Army), free Community Grazing Beds, and an extensive portfolio of educational programs including Farm-to-School youth programming, a Summer Camp for 5th-8th graders, the Central UP Farm-to-School Institute for educators, community workshops and skillshares, farm tours, and the Power of Produce children's farmers market program. All sales channels accept SNAP/EBT and Food as Medicine Vouchers for equitable food access.

Product overview

Partridge Creek Farm Inc is a nonprofit community farm organization in Ishpeming, Michigan that operates a portfolio of food access and education programs. The core offerings include a CSA Produce Subscription Box (17-week produce shares), Community Garden Bed Rentals, a seasonal West End Farm Stand, and a Wholesale Produce Program for local restaurants. Education programs include the Farm-to-School Summer Camp, Central UP Farm-to-School Institute, Youth Programs (Middle School Garden Club, CTE Horticulture Class), Community Workshops and Skillshares, Farm Tours, and the Power of Produce children's market program. The organization was founded in 2013 and operates a 3.75-acre Community Farm established in 2022.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Program: Weekly produce subscription box program offering 17 weeks of fresh local produce, with SNAP/EBT pricing options.
• Farm-to-School Program
• Farm-to-School Summer Camp
• Central UP Farm-to-School Institute
• Power of Produce

Products and services

• CSA Produce Subscription Box A 17-week (June 24 – October 14) produce subscription delivering 5–7 seasonal items per week plus recipes and a reusable tote bag, with subscription pickup Wednesdays at the Community Farm. Standard price is $350/season (~$20/week); SNAP/EBT members pay $5.15/week through the Michigan Farm to Family CSA program (75% discount). Acceptance of SNAP/EBT and Food as Medicine Vouchers is integrated throughout, and 107 families have been served since 2022.
• Community Garden Bed Rentals Annual rental of community garden beds at the Partridge Creek Community Garden (301 E. Euclid St., Ishpeming). Two bed types available: traditional 5'x12' wooden beds and mobility-friendly 4'x8' ADA-accessible beds on a gravel pad (limited availability). Cost is $45 per bed per season (June–October), with water access, orientation, and ongoing support included. Preference is given to Ishpeming community members.
• West End Farm Stand Seasonal retail farm stand open Wednesdays from June through October at the Partridge Creek Community Farm. Sells fresh produce grown at PCF sites. Accepts SNAP/EBT, Food as Medicine Vouchers, Senior Project Fresh, cash, and card; 52% of 2024 Farm Stand shoppers used food assistance benefits.
• Wholesale Produce Program Bulk produce sales to local restaurants, businesses, and institutional foodservice customers. Weekly offer sheets emailed Fridays; orders placed and processed through the Tend webstore platform; harvesting Monday–Tuesday and delivery Tuesdays/Wednesdays. Pricing updated annually based on market trends. All produce handled under FSMA food safety standards, enabling wholesale and institutional sales.
• Farm-to-School Summer Camp A week-long summer camp held at the Ishpeming Middle School Garden in August for Marquette County 5th-8th grade students. Teaches gardening, healthy cooking, nutrition, and food-based art. Operates on a sliding-scale payment system — registration shows $0.00 with an optional donation. 16 youth attended in 2025.
• Central UP Farm-to-School Institute Free 2-day professional development for teachers, foodservice managers, and community partners at the Mather Inn in Ishpeming. Jointly organized with MARESA and MSU UPREC. Topics include local food integration, project-based learning, and school gardens. Snacks and lunch featuring local food are provided; 93% of 2024 attendees reported increased knowledge of Farm-to-School programming and food systems.
• Youth Programs Year-round farm and food education for Ishpeming K-12 students, including Farm-to-School (healthy cooking, 5th-grade farm stand), the Middle School Garden Club, and the Ishpeming High School CTE Horticulture Class. The new Earth Day 2026 ribbon-cutting greenhouse is utilized by all district ages and primarily by the High School CTE horticulture class. Serves 80 students in 2025 (500+ since founding).
• Community Workshops & Skillshares Free community workshops at the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library covering gardening topics, plus summer skill shares held Wednesdays at the Farm Stand teaching recipes and food preservation. 86% of 2024 workshop attendees strongly agreed sessions increased their knowledge. The workshops support intergenerational learning across 200+ seniors engaged since founding.
• Farm Tours Free guided tours of the 3.75-acre Partridge Creek Community Farm (550 Cleveland Ave, Ishpeming) during the growing season, offered for community members and visitors to learn about the site, hoophouses, produce cooler, and programming.
• Power of Produce A children's program at the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market for ages 2-12 that engages youth in hands-on produce activities and provides each participant $2 in vouchers to purchase fresh produce. Aligns with PCF's broader food access and youth education mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 107 families served through CSA since 2022
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Marquette-Alger RESA (MARESA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-organizer of Central UP Farm-to-School Institute with Partridge Creek Farm. Contact: [email protected] for institute registration and waitlist.
• MSU UPREC (Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-organizer of Central UP Farm-to-School Institute and partner in Lake Michigan Food Systems Innovation Hub. Provides research and extension support for farm-to-school initiatives.
• Mather InnminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Venue location for Farm-to-School Institute professional development training at 107 E. Canada St, Ishpeming.
• Food First Michigan PodcastminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Executive Director Sara Johnson interviewed on Food First Michigan Podcast hosted by Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson discussing food insecurity.
• Ishpeming Carnegie Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner for community workshops series 'Walk-Through Gardening with PCF' held each spring. Also hosts Homeschool Hangout program and garden-related workshops.
• Salvation Army IshpemingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Regular partnership to donate fresh produce to food pantry. PCF is the only donor of fresh produce to Salvation Army, filling a critical gap in providing nutritious food. In 2024: 289 families/769 individuals received fresh produce worth $1,368. During winter, 90% of hoophouse produce is donated to Salvation Army.
• Chartwells Food ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership to establish new lunch menus incorporating increased local food ingredients for Ishpeming School District cafeterias. Working with Food Service Director Calvin Atwell to pilot menus featuring PCF-grown produce.
• Lake Michigan School Food Systems Innovation HubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024PCF received Innovation Hub Award as one of only two Michigan organizations selected for Food Futures Project. Partnership includes Northwoods Test Kitchen, MSU UPREC, MARESA, and Chartwells to bring fresh food to school cafeterias. Funded by USDA and administered by Illinois Public Health Institute.
• Northwoods Test KitchencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner in Lake Michigan Food Systems Innovation Hub working with PCF, MSU UPREC, MARESA, and Chartwells to bring fresh food to school cafeterias.
• United Presbyterian ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Volunteered at Jasperlite Community Garden during 2024 growing season to help prepare site.
• Ishpeming Lions ClubminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnered with PCF for fruit/nut tree planting demonstration events. Provided free trees to Ishpeming residents with planting lessons.
• Ishpeming Senior CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Intergenerational partner for tree planting activity with Ishpeming High School CTE horticulture students.
• Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Hosted ribbon cutting ceremony for new walk-in produce cooler at Community Farm in June 2024.
• Superior String AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Volunteered with PCF at Jasperlite Community Garden to prepare site for 2025 growing season.
• Cover Crop Breeding NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024PCF participating in 2025-26 Cover Crop Breeding Network On-Farm Winter Pea Trial at Community Farm.
• Peter White Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner for Queen City Seed Library Seed Swap event in Marquette. PCF participates annually in seed swap with over 100 community members attending.
• Congress PizzaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Host venue for Giving Tuesday 2025 fundraising event. Donated portion of proceeds to PCF's campaign to upgrade free community grazing beds.
• U.P. Chapter of American Culinary FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 202410 chefs from the U.P. Chapter toured the Community Farm to learn about PCF operations and local food sourcing.
• Northern Michigan UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024College for Kids Summer Camp visited Community Farm and Middle School Garden for fun-filled day of learning. NMU students produced documentary on small-scale farming in the U.P. featuring PCF.
• Great Lakes Recovery CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Youth from Great Lakes Recovery Center volunteered in the Ishpeming Middle School Garden.
• Eagle MineminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Staff members visited Community Farm for workshop where participants planted herbs in take-home planters and learned new skills.
• Marquette and Alger Conservation DistrictsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024PCF participated in 14th annual Agripalooza, teaching 5th graders about farming and food systems at the event hosted by conservation districts.
• MSU Center for Regional Food SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Led Food Distribution Symposium in Marquette, MI to tackle food distribution issues in the Upper Peninsula. PCF staff attended.

Scale indicators25 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Food Project: Nonprofit operating CSA subscriptions, youth farm employment, and food access programs across greater Boston and the North Shore of Massachusetts. Closely comparable to PCF as a youth-education-focused community farm with a CSA + farm stand + food donation model.
• Soul Fire Farm: New York State BIPOC-led nonprofit farm operating CSA shares, youth food-justice programming, and farmer training. Closely comparable mission and program mix to PCF, especially around food access for underserved communities.
• Pie Ranch: Pescadero, California nonprofit farm using regenerative agriculture to train youth and emerging farmers, with CSA and on-farm education. Similar to PCF in combining CSA revenue with a strong farm-to-school youth education mission.
• Cultivate Kansas City: Urban and rural farming nonprofit supporting growers, community gardens, and food access in the Kansas City region. Comparable as a small-staffed nonprofit that channels grants into community farm infrastructure and farmer/educator training.
• Growing Gardens: Boulder, Colorado nonprofit combining community garden plots, CSA, youth education, and horticulture training. Directly comparable to PCF's mix of garden bed rentals, CSA, and youth farm-to-school programming in a similar small-city context.
• Center for Land-Based Learning: California-based nonprofit operating farm incubators, youth education programs, and CSA-style food production across multiple sites. Closely comparable to PCF in combining youth farm education with community-scale produce distribution.
• Calypso Farm & Ecology Center: Alaska-based nonprofit operating a community farm, CSA, and farm-to-school education programs in a cold-climate, short-growing-season setting — directly analogous to PCF's Upper Peninsula climate and educational mission.

Broad incumbents

• Intervale Center: Burlington, Vermont nonprofit network supporting multiple small farms, food access, and education across a broader portfolio than PCF. Broader incumbent with overlapping CSA, farm-to-school, and food-security programming.
• Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture: Larger nonprofit food and agriculture education center in New York's Hudson Valley operating farm tours, youth programs, and CSA-style food distribution. Adjacent incumbent with a similar farm-as-classroom model but at substantially greater scale.

Others

• FoodCorps: National service organization placing members in schools to deliver farm-to-school curricula and food access programming. Thematically aligned with PCF's Farm-to-School Institute but operating as a service/delivery network rather than a farm itself.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/partridgecreekfarm
• Facebookfacebook.com/PartridgeCreekCommunityFarm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/partridge-creekfarm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PARTRIDGE CREEK FARM INC