Allison Stawara, a Michigan State University alum and community farm manager, has received an Intergenerational Award for her work bringing people of all ages together through food and community programs.
Stawara works at Partridge Creek Farm, where she helps run a one-acre farm in downtown Ishpeming. The farm grows fresh vegetables and provides food to local residents, including many older adults.
A graduate of Michigan State University, Stawara said her interest in farming and community work began in college. She worked in a greenhouse and with a student farm, where she learned how to grow food and connect with others.
At Partridge Creek Farm, she helped build the farm from the ground up. The site sits next to an apartment building for seniors and is also adjacent to Ishpeming Middle School and Ishpeming High School, which has created opportunities to collaborate with students of all ages, helping shape the farm’s mission.
“We wanted to make sure the people living there felt included,” Stawara said.
She began visiting residents, sharing updates, and getting to know them. Over time, those connections grew stronger. The farm now offers raised garden beds for residents and a weekly farm stand.
The farm also accepts SNAP-EBT and “Food as Medicine” vouchers. These programs help make fresh food more affordable, especially for older adults.
Stawara said one of her favorite parts of the job is hearing stories from longtime residents. Many remember when the land was once a hospital.
“People tell me they were born here,” she said. “Now it’s a farm. It feels special to be part of that change.”
Stawara said she was surprised to learn she had been nominated for the award.
“I don’t even know who nominated me,” she said. “But it means a lot.”
She said the recognition reflects the work of her team and community partners. Together, they have made fresh food more available to people who might not otherwise have access.
Looking ahead, Stawara hopes to expand the farm. Plans include adding a community space, offering more classes and building a kitchen to process food grown on-site.
She encourages others who want to help their communities to listen first.
“Make sure you understand the people and the place,” she said. “That’s what makes the work matter.”
Through her work, Stawara continues to bring people together and improve access to healthy food in Ishpeming.