FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Liz Wiley, Executive Director
marketing@marioninstitute.org
(508) 748-0816

Marion Institute Expands Grow Education Program to Old Hammondtown and Rochester Memorial Schools

 Planting Knowledge. Cultivating Community.

Marion, MA — The Marion Institute is proud to announce the expansion of its Grow Education program into two new schools within the Old Rochester Regional School District & MA Superintendency Union #55: Old Hammondtown School in Mattapoisett (serving 4th graders) and Rochester Memorial School in Rochester (serving 3rd graders). With this exciting milestone, Grow Education now partners with 24 schools across six Southcoast districts — and counting.

Grow Education is a school-based initiative designed to plant knowledge and cultivate community through hands-on, garden-based learning. By integrating farm-to-school education into the daily curriculum, Grow Education supports teachers, engages families, and educates students in creating healthier eating and living habits. Together with district leadership, educators, and local food system partners, the program builds a more equitable, sustainable, and health-focused future for Southcoast communities.

“At its heart, Grow Education is about connection — to our food, to the land, and to one another,” said Liz Wiley, Executive Director of the Marion Institute. “We’re thrilled to bring this opportunity to students in Mattapoisett and Rochester, helping them understand not only where their food comes from, but how they can be part of building a healthier, more resilient community.”

Through a partnership-driven approach, Grow Education works directly with school districts, food service departments, and community organizations to create thriving school garden programs that serve as living classrooms. Each garden becomes a space where students explore earth science, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture through hands-on learning. Teachers receive professional development, access to standards-aligned lesson plans, and ongoing support to seamlessly integrate these lessons into their core curriculum.

“By bringing the Grow Education program to Old Hammondtown and Rochester Memorial, we’re giving students the chance to engage with the natural world in a meaningful, educational way,” said Michael S. Nelson, Superintendent of the Old Rochester Regional School District. “These outdoor classrooms will help cultivate curiosity, environmental awareness, and a lifelong appreciation for healthy living — all while reinforcing what students are learning in the classroom.”

The Grow Education model goes beyond gardening — it’s a community-building tool that strengthens family engagement, encourages cross-sector collaboration, and sparks early interest in STEM and food systems careers. As the program continues to grow, so does its impact on youth leadership, ecological literacy, and community resilience throughout Southeastern Massachusetts.

About the Marion Institute
The Marion Institute’s mission is to advance a culture of health. We exist to engage individuals and communities in systems level solutions at the intersection of food, personal wellness, and the environment. We seek an equitable, informed society where people work in community to heal themselves and the planet. To learn more, visit: marioninstitute.org.

About Grow Education Farm-to-School Program:
Grow Education is the Marion Institute’s farm-to-school program that partners with public schools to build school gardens, promote food literacy, and connect students to healthy, local food. By integrating hands-on learning with curriculum, Grow Education helps students understand where their food comes from, why it matters, and how it connects to their health, community, and environment. The program currently operates across all elementary schools in New Bedford (18), Westport (2), Wareham (1) Marion (1) Mattapoisett (1) and Rochester (1).