Above, Boyana Mercer of Ishpeming helps with the breaking the ground. (Courtesy photo)

ISHPEMING — Partridge Creek Farms, along with officials from the city of Ishpeming, held a groundbreaking ceremony in Ishpeming Friday to present plans for the new Partridge Creek Intergenerational Farm on Cleveland Street.

The project is the result of a year-long collaboration between Partridge Creek, the city of Ishpeming, the Ishpeming School District, U.P. Engineers & Architects and other groups in hopes of redeveloping the old Bell Hospital site to develop a plan that provides year-round food access and a sustainable learning space that can educate Ishpeming youth and senior citizens.

“This type of project is very important for me for a variety of reasons,” said Ishpeming High School and Middle School Principal Seth Hoopingarner. “The obvious reason is to teach young people about nutrition, healthy eating, sustainable food, where their food comes from, etc. That is a K-12 thing we can all get behind.”

Funds for the project have been raised by Partridge Creek, with help from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, A. Lindberg & Sons and Eagle Mine.

Anyone looking for more information can contact farm manager Allison Stawara at 906-376-4171 or at allison@partridgecreekfarm.org.

Anyone interested in volunteering or supporting the farm can contact director May Tsupros at 906-376-4171 or may@partridgecreekfarm.org.