Volunteers carry a log to a raised garden bed during a Partridge Creek Farm-led worker bee to build an Inspiration Orchard on the corner of North and York streets in Ishpeming on Saturday. Nearly 100 volunteers were already participating during the day-long event during its early morning hours. (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers)

ISHPEMING — For anyone who might doubt the spirit of community in Ishpeming, they need look no further than the city’s new Inspiration Orchard on the corner of York and North Streets.

The Partridge Creek Farm project, which sought over 100 volunteers, had more than half of that between the hours of 9 and 10:30 a.m. at Saturday’s day-long event.

Volunteers from all generations and walks of life worked at the event, building raised garden beds, known as Hugelkulture, to grow blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, black raspberries and strawberries; creating a path through the two-lot orchard; building a gazebo; and planting trees.

Ishpeming City Councilor Lindsay Bean said members of the community met twice in the last 12 months to discuss options for the two lots.

“And so, Dan’s (Perkins) the one who obviously pulled this all together, but I think that seeing some revitalization and seeing a group of volunteers, seeing things happen, seeing positive things happen is really big.” Bean said. “I mean, you are well aware there is a lot of negativity around Ishpeming and so I think it’s really exciting to see something very tangible and positive.”

Perkins, who is the director of Partridge Creek Farm, said he was excited to see the volunteer response so far on Saturday.

“We have Troop 346, Ishpeming Public Schools Farm School Kids, we’ve got the soil conservation service, we’ve got our Great Lakes Recovery, we’ve got Transition Marquette, they are a group focused on sustainability, we’ve got Taste of Local Business, the city of Ishpeming, and the Lions and so many other community leaders,” Perkins said. “It really is amazing what a community can do when they get together.

Paul Trdan, classroom teacher for the Great Lakes Recovery Center youth said due to confidentiality concerns he could not bring his students who partner with PCF behind the scenes.

“So for me, this vision that Dan and I have had for the last four years is being shared among the greater community and that is something special to see,” Trdan said. “How something can catch fire and move from one group to the next and how volunteer events can happen organically throughout the year, and it’s really beautifying the community, and it really shows ownership over your own space. And really for my students its to create that positive partnership with the community.”

Lions Immediate Past International Director Jenny Ware, who has worked on projects for the organization around the globe said the Inspiration Orchard is unique.

“We will see in areas of other countries that they will have places that they have places where they can go to to get food, but they aren’t shown how to grow their own food,” Ware said. “This, I think, is going to be an excellent example of what the rest of the world can do, whether it’s on a city block or in the country.”

Ishpeming Public Schools fifth grader Brie Hosking, who participates in PCF’s Farm to School program twice per week, said she and her friend Sara Harvey just wanted to help.

“I wanted to help Dan Perkins with making the park,” Hosking said, “to grow some plants. We have moved dirt to the gardens and planted strawberries, it’s fun to do it together.”

Harvey agreed.

“I wanted to do something for my community and my town. This will give people options for a healthy meal,” Harvey said.

Community involvement from all over the Upper Peninsula has made the project possible, Perkins said, from Dead River Coffee Roasters of Marquette, who will provide coffee for volunteers, to Marquette Breakfast Rotary Club with its $15,000 donation.

“The community has really stepped up to help make this happen and we have countless collaborators,” Perkins said. “A big thank you to the businesses who have donated, food, services or time to make this happen: The Marquette County ACHIEVE (Coalition), Mama Russo’s Italian Products & Catering, Mama Mia’s Italian Restaurant, Midway Rentals & Sales, and Globe Printing & Specialties, all of Ishpeming.”

The Marquette County Land Bank is leasing the two lots to Partridge Creek Farm for $1 while the project is going on, Marquette County Treasurer Anne Giroux said. Once the project is complete the land bank will transfer the property to the farm for $1.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.