ISHPEMING — Partridge Creek Farm has announced the addition of two new directors to their staff this past month: Sara Johnson, executive director, and Mary Antonia Andronis, director of programs and partnerships, according to a company news release.

Dan Perkins, founder and board member of PCF, expressed his confidence in Sara and Mary’s capabilities.

“Bringing both of these directors onto the Partridge Creek Farm team marks a significant step forward for the organization,” he said. “Sara’s leadership in the local food movement and Mary’s rare expertise in developing regenerative food systems strengthens our commitment to local food education and community health.”

Johnson comes to the executive director role after previously serving as the Market Manager for the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market which is sponsored by the Marquette Downtown Development Authority.

She is responsible for the immense growth of the DMFM over the past four years including spearheading the creation of the Wednesday Night Street Market, the rebrand of the market, incorporating new food assistance programs, and creating new community offerings.

Her work not only increased food access for the Marquette community, but also increased sales for both market vendors and downtown businesses, while establishing new revenue streams to sustainably support market operations.

Johnson has also held other roles in marketing and business consulting in major cities across the midwest.

She initially joined PCF as a volunteer and later joined its board of directors. Her dedication and leadership capabilities were swiftly acknowledged, leading to her move from board member to executive director in the spring.

Johnson’s profound passion for the Upper Peninsula food system, coupled with her leadership promises to bring fresh perspectives and transformative impact to our community initiatives at PCF.

Johnson earned a Bachelor of Arts in marketing and advertising from Marquette University. She was raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and currently resides in Ishpeming.

Andronis brings a wealth of experience to PCF as the newly appointed director of programs and partnerships, combining her passions for community, education, and agriculture.

With a background in exploring community-based agricultural practices in remote regions like the Amazon and the Andes, Mary has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of local food systems. Mary continued her career as an educator at Northern Michigan University and went on to establish Comunitaria Language School. She maintained and developed relationships locally, and with communities in both Ecuador and in Cuba, offering remote support and organizing student volunteer trips to various agricultural communities.

With over two decades of professional experience in the public and private sectors, Andronis brings a skill-set forged through a lifetime of growing food, years of fieldwork and extensive educational efforts.

Her expertise is not only a testament to her commitment but also an asset for the PCF team.

Andronis earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Northern Michigan University and graduate degrees from the University of Chicago.

Johnson and Andronis have taken over as PCF’s leadership. They succeed former executive director May Tsupros who accepted a new role as the director of farm to institution programs at Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems.

Phil Toutant, PCF board chair. shared his excitement for this transition saying of Andronis and Johnson “Both of them bring a wealth of knowledge to Partridge Creek Farm and they will be instrumental to our mission. The board also announced May Tsupros’ appointment to the Partridge Creek Farm Board of Directors where May will further strengthen the management, direction and community impact of the organization.”

For more information on Partridge Creek Farm please visit partridgecreekfarm.org.

Partridge Creek Farm is a non-profit educational farm that provides year-round food access and wellness education that empowers Ishpeming residents to connect with their food and one another. PCF aims to impact the Ishpeming community through reducing food insecurity, and providing intergenerational learning opportunities on sustainable food systems through hands-on education.

Its mission is to provide local food access and education to connect the community with one another.