Spring is in full swing, and there’s no shortage of activity across our programs! At Frogfoot Farm, greenhouse seedlings are making their way into the fields. The Southcoast Food Policy is pushing forward with key advocacy efforts. BioMed is wrapping up its Spring MBSR course and gearing up for a big May 22nd bring-a-friend community event. Lastly, Grow Education is reaching new communities as it expands into the tri-town area. Read on for a look at what we’ve accomplished in April!

Bigger Reach, Bigger Impact

SHARE YOUR STORY

We believe that real change starts with real stories. When you share your experience, whether it’s about accessing fresh, healthy food, facing food insecurity, benefiting from programs like the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), or how federal cuts are affecting your business/organization you help us paint a clearer picture to our legislators of the challenges and successes within our food system.

Challenge Yourself

Can you eat from a 200 mile radius for 1 month? Join us for this year’s Eat Local Challenge! When you register you will receive weekly emails upon on the start of the challenge chock full of tips, facts, recipes, and more to keep you excited and motivated throughout the four-week Eat Local Southcoast Challenge.

So Much Happening at Frogfoot Farm, Come and be a Part of the Action!

In celebration of Earth Day, Frogfoot Farm will be hosting a BioBlitz on Saturday, April 26th from 9:30am-1pm. At Frogfoot Farm, we’re growing more than food, we’re cultivating a healthier planet. We farm in harmony with nature, welcoming pollinators and wildlife. Join our citizen-science BioBlitz to help track the biodiversity we’re nurturing, learn more/sign up here.

We also need your help at Volunteer Sessions throughout the growing season! Our farm plays a critical role growing and harvesting fresh, nutrient-rich produce for area food pantries. The uncertainty of inflation and federal funding cuts make this work more important than ever.  Join us and make Frogfoot your community Farm too!

Join Us for this Bring-A-Friend Community Conversation

Did you know… 1-in-2 adults report feeling lonely on a regular basis. According to the Surgeon General, widespread loneliness in the U.S. poses health risks comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes daily, at a cost of billions of dollars annually.

The good news is that reversing the trend of loneliness is within our reach! Grab a friend and join us for this thought-provoking conversation. As an added perk, light refreshments will be available.

Looking Ahead

While students wait for warmer days to return to  outdoor gardens, they’re embracing the learning opportunity to grow from the inside out! Students in our farm-to-school partner communities are exploring seed science, experimenting with indoor planting, and learning about hydroponics all while nurturing curiosity and patience. Whether it’s investigating how seeds travel, watching garlic shoots emerge, or starting seedlings indoors, these hands-on lessons ensure that the excitement of growing never stops, no matter the season.

Craft a meaningful legacy through the Marion Institute’s Legacy Society with planned gifts, impacting our mission in perpetuity.

If you are interested in learning more about the Marion Institute’s Legacy Society as well as the financial and tax benefits of a planned gift (regardless of gift size), we are happy to share information and resources with you. To execute your planned gift, please use our IRS-registered name “The Marion Institute, Inc.” and EIN number 04-3206583.

If you’ve designated a planned gift, or have questions about our Legacy Society, please reach out at legacy@marioninstitute.org or 508-748-0816, ext. 118.