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

Marion Institute Receives $135,000 State Grant to Power Frogfoot Farm with Solar Energy

Reconnecting Food & Community

MARION, Mass. — The Marion Institute has been awarded a $135,000 grant through the Healey-Driscoll Administration to construct a 17.5 kW solar array at Frogfoot Farm, to help power Frogfoot Farm, the nonprofit’s regenerative farm that grows fresh produce exclusively for local food pantries.

Located on land allocated by the A.D. Makepeace Company on the Plymouth-Wareham town line, Frogfoot Farm harvested nearly 13,000 pounds of fresh produce during its first full growing season in 2025—the equivalent of more than 120,000 servings of nutrient-dense, culturally relevant food distributed to neighbors experiencing food insecurity across Southeastern MA.

The new solar array will provide reliable electrical power to the remote farm site, lowering operating costs while increasing the farm’s long-term resilience and capacity to serve the community.

“This investment is about much more than solar power—it’s about strengthening our ability to nourish our communities for years to come. Reliable, renewable energy allows us to operate Frogfoot Farm more sustainably, reduce operating costs, and reinvest those resources into growing even more fresh, healthy food for our neighbors. We are deeply grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the A.D. Makepeace Company for believing in this vision and helping us build a more resilient regional food system,” said Liz Wiley, Executive Director of the Marion Institute.

James F. Kane, President and Chief Executive Officer of the A.D. Makepeace Company, noted that providing power to the site had previously required generators.

“Since we initiated this partnership in 2023, we have worked together on incremental improvements that will ultimately benefit the less fortunate of our communities,” Mr. Kane said.

The solar array is expected to save the Marion Institute approximately $5,000 annually in electricity costs. The Marion Institute’s award was one of 10 grants announced this week through the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Low-Income Solar Incentive Program.

“We are thrilled to award grants to this latest group of nonprofit organizations and add more than 600 kW of new solar energy to Massachusetts,” said Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony. “Together, these organizations will pay almost $275,000 less in electricity costs each year, providing more financial resources for their important missions. The solar systems LISSP enables benefit communities by helping local organizations reach more people, and with cleaner air and improved public health.”

Reliable electrical service will power essential farm infrastructure, including irrigation, wash and pack equipment, greenhouse, lighting, and future operational needs. The investment strengthens Frogfoot Farm’s capacity to grow, harvest, and distribute fresh produce while advancing the Marion Institute’s commitment to regenerative agriculture and long-term sustainability.

The A.D. Makepeace Company’s partnership provides the land for Frogfoot Farm, along with significant soil improvements and irrigation infrastructure, creating the foundation for a farm dedicated to expanding access to fresh, locally grown food through regenerative agricultural practices.

Frogfoot Farm is a program of the Marion Institute’s broader mission to expand food access, improve community health, and strengthen the connections between local farms and the families they serve. Through regenerative farming practices, volunteer engagement, and partnerships across Southeastern Massachusetts, the farm grows fresh produce exclusively for food relief organizations serving local communities. 

About the Marion Institute
The Marion Institute believes that food is a powerful connector and the foundation of health. Through partnerships, education, and community engagement, we are strengthening our local food system to ensure all people can access and enjoy health-promoting food. To learn more, visit: marioninstitute.org.

About A.D. Makepeace:
Founded 172 years ago, the A.D. Makepeace Company is the developer of the award-winning Redbrook community, North America’s largest cranberry grower, and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and land stewardship. For more information, visit admakepeace.com.