Ishpeming Public Schools fifth-grader Derek Meyer sells carrots to classmate Davis Hyatt during a Farm to School farmers market on?Oct. 7. The students sold vegetables in a safe and socially distant manner while competing for the title of “best farm stand.” The students have worked as Partridge Creek Farm volunteers, weeding and cultivating their own garden beds behind Ishpeming High School since the beginning of the school year. In one particular class, PCF volunteers used the vegetables the farm had raised to make a salad, Perkins said. “We also made a dressing of oil and lemon juice with spices and salt with them. The salad was so popular that kids were racing for second helpings until it was all gone. One of the students asked how he could get the ingredients back at his house so he could make a salad at home. It has become clear to us that the purpose of Partridge Creek Farm is this type of education and access to good food. Our Farm to School program is becoming meshed with our Farm Fresh Fridays program of distributing our fresh produce to families of Ishpeming.” To prepare for the event, students were split into pairs with each creating their display of vegetables, baskets, decorative farm items and recipes using the vegetables they had to sell, Perkins said. (Photo courtesy of Partridge Creek Farm)

Charlee Fredy, Danielle Niemi and Madison Longtine show off their farm stand during the event. (Photo courtesy of Partridge Creek Farm)