A ribbon cutting takes place at the Partridge Creek Farm Middle School Garden in Ishpeming with the Lake Superior Community Partnership and the Ishpeming Public School District. (Courtesy photo)

ISHPEMING — The Lake Superior Community Partnership, alongside Partridge Creek Farm and the Ishpeming Public School District, celebrated the ribbon-cutting of a new school greenhouse recently at the PCF Middle School Garden, located at 402 Cleveland Ave., in Ishpeming.

This new greenhouse marks a major investment in Career and Technical Education and expands hands-on learning opportunities in agriculture for students across Marquette County.

Funded through a Section 61 grant from the State of Michigan, administered by Eaton RESA and the Michigan Department of Education, the greenhouse was purchased by IPSD and will serve as a year-round learning environment. Students enrolled in the Applied Horticulture CTE course, Flipping the Food System, will utilize the space alongside PCF programming to grow fresh produce for the Ishpeming Middle/High School cafeteria.

Following the ceremony, attendees participated in an inaugural planting activity and mini lecture led by horticulture teacher and PCF Education Coordinator Keats Dormont and his students, offering a first-hand look at the greenhouse’s educational impact.

Construction on the greenhouse began in August 2025 and was completed in April 2026 through a collaborative effort between PCF, the Ishpeming Lions Club, IPSD students, and local volunteers. The project builds on more than 10 years of partnership between PCF and IPSD to deliver Farm-to-School programming.

In addition to supporting the CTE program, the greenhouse and adjacent middle school garden will serve multiple youth initiatives, including Farm-to-School programming for fifth and sixth grade students, a Healthy Cooking Program, an after-school Garden Club for grades 5 through 8, and a Farm-to-School Summer Camp for students entering grades 6 through 9.