PLYMOUTH – To celebrate Earth Day 2024, the A.D. Makepeace Companies, in coordination with Sustainable Redbrook, today announced the creation of a Miyawaki Forest at Redbrook. Commonly referred to as a pocket forest or tiny forest, the effort will bring more than 300 native plants to the River Run Way entrance of Redbrook. The forest planted at Redbrook will be the first Miyawaki Forest in the southeastern part of Massachusetts.
The Miyawaki Forest concept focuses on planting biodiverse, native, pocket-sized forests that lead to cooling, increased biodiversity, and carbon sequestration, among other benefits. The forests are typically installed in urban areas, with at least eight already growing or planned in Massachusetts, ranging from 1,100 square feet to 4,300 square feet.
The A.D. Makepeace Company’s Read Custom Soils (RCS) division will partner with the Redbrook Community to use the site as a pilot project for evaluating various types of engineered soils that best help the forests sequester carbon, provide tree canopy, and deliver habitat and environmental benefits. The project will be open to Redbrook residents, interested landscape architects, climate resiliency scientists, and interested members of the public to visit and engage.
Sustainable Redbrook, a group of Redbrook residents, identified the site at the entry to the community as an ideal location to showcase the project. Members of Sustainable Redbrook and Redbrook staff walked the site and refined the plan. Their involvement will continue with maintenance and documentation of the forest.
“Something that Redbrook residents have in common is a sophisticated understanding of environmental issues and concern for the planet,” said Dan Gorczyca, project executive for Redbrook. “This will be a great opportunity for all of us to watch the forest grow and be part of its success.”
Site work is expected to begin this spring. The first step is to tree-spade some trees already existing on site, which Project Manager Evan Miller, RLA ASLA, said will be transplanted to the new Redbrook Square property.
Next, two feet of compacted soils at the River Run Way site, home of the Redbrook sales trailer before the Meeting House was constructed, will be removed and replaced with the RCS’s proprietary Miyawaki Forest Planting Soil. The blend includes coarse sand, natural base loam, mature leaf compost, biochar and a mycorrhizal fungi inoculant. After planting, an additional four to six inches of RCS Miyawaki Forest Floor Layer will be placed over the soil and around the 350 new plantings in the 2,000-square-foot space. Though small at the time of planting, these densely planted young whips simulate the layers of a natural forest and allow for rapid growth of tree species, sub species, shrubs, and groundcover and can help to create a forest in just 20 to 30 years.
“We see this as a way for municipal officials and landscape professionals to see how a Miyawaki Forest could work in their own community,” said Jim Kane, president and chief executive officer of the A.D. Makepeace Company. “In an urban setting, it can mitigate heat islands, provide a habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators, and beautify a neighborhood.”
The tiny forest method thrives best when many native plants are introduced to an area that has been properly prepared, thus allowing the plants to grow quickly, with a canopy layer reaching mature height and shading smaller trees and shrubs. This site will allow visitors to walk through this emerging ecosystem and compare its growth with the neighboring established native pine barrens forest.
“Sustainable Redbrook embraces the Miyawaki tiny forest concept and looks forward to assisting in the installation and maintenance of this exciting project,” the organization said in a prepared statement. “Not only will our Redbrook Pollinator Pathway be further enhanced due to the Miyawaki Forest biodiversity, but this project will also help to create a greener and healthier future for our Redbrook community while providing a warm and inviting welcome for all who visit Redbrook every day.”
The A.D. Makepeace Company is evaluating area sites for another similar installation.
The 169-year-old A.D. Makepeace Company is developer of the award-winning Redbrook, North America’s largest cranberry grower, the largest private property owner in eastern Massachusetts, and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and stewardship. Visit admakepeace.com for more information.
Cranberry Month Proclaimed at ADM Bog
/in General, Real Estate /by Linda BurkeGovernor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll have officially declared October as Massachusetts Cranberry Month to celebrate the state’s cranberry industry.
The announcement was made by Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Commissioner Ashley Randle during a visit to A.D. Makepeace Company’s Cranebrook Cranberry Bog, attended by state officials, cranberry growers, and other stakeholders.
A press release from the governor’s office highlights the economic, environmental, and cultural importance of cranberries in Massachusetts, noting:
“We recognize the cranberry as an important and historic crop to Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our official state berry has cemented itself at the dinner table as a mandatory staple during Thanksgiving, and the cranberry growing industry has long been recognized as innovators in agriculture, overcoming challenges and utilizing unique practices to ensure a thriving sector in Massachusetts.”
View the release here.
UMass Cranberry Station Gets a Helping Hand from ADM
/in Events, General, Real Estate /by Linda BurkeThis innovative approach offers significant advantages over traditional ground-based application methods. Not only is it more time-efficient, but it also provides a uniform distribution of fertilizer across the entire bog surface, enhancing consistency and crop health.
The ADM team completed the 10.5-acre application in less than an hour. Using their traditional hand-application method, the task would have taken the research team twice as long and required a crew of at least three people.
“It was a pleasure to collaborate with our research partners and showcase how drone technology can streamline operations, improve crop health, and significantly save time,” said James F. Kane, president and chief executive officer of the A.D. Makepeace Company. “Working together with industry partners like the UMass Cranberry Station helps strengthen our agricultural community and advance innovative solutions across the industry.”
The Cranberry Station, located in East Wareham, is a part of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Its mission is to maintain and enhance the economic viability of the Massachusetts cranberry industry through research and outreach, and to serve the public welfare by supporting economic development and protection of the environment.
The 171-year-old A.D. Makepeace Company is North America’s largest cranberry grower, the largest private property owner in eastern Massachusetts, and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and stewardship. Visit admakepeace.com for more information.
ADM and Junior Associates Partner To Benefit Bluebirds
/in General, Real Estate /by Linda BurkeWAREHAM – The A.D. Makepeace Company (ADM) teamed up with the Junior Associates of the Wankinquoah Rod & Gun Club in Middleboro to enhance bird habitats around the company’s cranberry bogs.
Charlie Murphy, Junior Associates Advisor, and Gavin Bartlett, Assistant General Manager of Cranberry Operations at ADM, worked with over 30 Junior Associates and their advisors to build and decorate 45 bluebird boxes and 10 woodcock boxes, all while learning about the essential role birds play in agriculture – particularly their natural ability to control insect populations.
On April 6, the Junior Associates and their advisors returned to ADM to install 10 bluebird boxes around the Marsh Bogs, which provide a scenic natural backdrop to the luxury apartments at 35 Rosebrook.
The remaining boxes were placed along the perimeter of Frogfoot Farm – Neighbors Feeding Neighbors. A program of the Marion Institute hosted by ADM, Frogfoot Farm is strengthening local food systems and addressing nutrition insecurity by providing fresh produce to neighbors in need.
The Junior Associates are also preparing for their largest annual fundraiser, the Tihonet Pond Fishing Derby, which takes place on the ADM campus. Registration is available online at www.TIHONETDERBY25.eventbrite.com.
The Wankinquoah Rod & Gun Club, located in Middleborough, was established in 1927 by a group of sportsmen “to encourage and engage in the sports of hunting, fishing and boating and all social activities connected therewith.” The club owns more than 300 acres of land and operates as a state-of-the-art clubhouse with indoor firearm and archery ranges, and a newly renovated outdoor range. The club offers youth and adult programming.
The 170-year-old A.D. Makepeace Company is North America’s largest cranberry grower, the largest private property owner in eastern Massachusetts, and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and stewardship. Visit admakepeace.com for more information.
ADM Plans Affordable Housing For Rosebrook
/in General, Real Estate /by Linda BurkeWAREHAM, MA – The A.D. Makepeace Company has proposed development of a 180-unit rental project at its Rosebrook Business Park property.
The two four-story buildings have been designed to be compatible with its neighbors, the existing 100 Rosebrook medical office building housing Southcoast Health, and the All American Assisted Living complex. The apartments will have views of expansive cranberry bogs to the north.
Preliminary plans show 135 market-rate apartments, and 45 apartments that will be income-restricted in perpetuity and made available to households with an income at or below 80 percent of the area median income. Thirty-one of the affordable units could have a local preference.
The project, known as 200 Rosebrook, will most likely put the Town of Wareham above the state-mandated goal of 10 percent affordable housing. This means the Chapter 40B regulations, which relax local zoning requirements for affordable housing projects and lessens a town’s ability to restrict or reject such plans, will be satisfied.
“This is the perfect location for such a development,” said James Kane, president and chief executive officer of the A.D. Makepeace Company. “It’s close to shops and services, public transportation, and hundreds of jobs, while also in a beautiful natural setting that is development ready, with infrastructure in place.”
When ADM began construction of Rosebrook in 2011, the company built roads and utility infrastructure that will more than accommodate the proposed housing.
MassHousing, a quasi-public state agency, issued a project eligibility letter on December 11, 2024, determining that 200 Rosebrook meets state standards regarding income restrictions, unit size and configuration, and other details. Therefore, the project is now eligible to apply for a comprehensive permit from the Wareham Zoning Board of Appeals.
The ZBA has scheduled a public hearing on the project for March 26 at 6 p.m.
Mr. Kane said company representatives have met informally with local officials, to keep them informed. All agree that Massachusetts is facing a housing shortage and this project will meet many of the town and state goals for housing production.
“It is particularly beneficial to the town that this project helps meet affordable housing needs while potentially removing the threat of an ‘unfriendly’ 40B project that neighbors do not like,” Mr. Kane said. He noted that aside from the residents of the existing apartments at 35 Rosebrook and the All-American Assisted Living residents, there are no residential neighbors.
The 170-year-old A.D. Makepeace Company is the developer of Rosebrook Place and Rosebrook Business Park and the award-winning Redbrook, North America’s largest cranberry grower, and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and stewardship. Visit admakepeace.com for more information.
Healey-Driscoll Administration Visits Redbrook to Announce $158 Million for New Affordable Housing
/in General, Real Estate /by Linda BurkePLYMOUTH — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $158 million in low-income housing tax credit and subsidy awards for 14 affordable housing projects across the state. These awards will support the production and preservation of 1,138 affordable units for seniors and families across the state. These awards were made possible in part by the $1 billion tax relief bill signed by Governor Maura Healey in 2023, which raised the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to $60 million annually, a $20 million increase that allows the state to support more affordable housing production.
“High housing costs are one of the biggest challenges facing Massachusetts residents. Our administration is refusing to kick the can down the road. We need to increase housing production across the state to lower costs – and these affordable housing awards will help us get there,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Because of our tax cuts package, we’re able to give out more funding than ever before, which will directly support the creation of more than 1,000 affordable homes for seniors and families across our state.”
“Every dollar we’re delivering to developers and communities directly translates into new, affordable homes for residents across our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “It’s great to be in Plymouth today to see how they are embracing the incredible benefits that new housing brings and delivering a great place to call home for hundreds of seniors. We’re excited to see how these awards will get shovels in ground for Cranberry Commons and housing projects across the state.”
On Thursday, Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Secretary Augustus and local officials visited the Redbrook community in Plymouth, where The Grantham Group will be building Cranberry Commons with the support of one of the awards. When completed, Cranberry Commons will offer 62 total units, all of which will be affordable for seniors.
“The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s is working hard not only to expand affordable housing opportunities across the Commonwealth but also to preserve our rich history through the restoration and adaptive reuse of historic buildings for housing,” said Ed Augustus, Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. “The 14 projects being awarded today represent another strong step forward to drive down housing costs and will foster stronger communities for years to come.”
“The Town of Plymouth appreciates the Healey-Driscoll administration’s ongoing dedication to affordable housing,” said Plymouth Town Manager Derek Brindisi. “This award reinforces the Town’s commitment to expanding affordable housing options for our residents.”
Projects include new senior developments, a deep energy retrofit, and the adaptive reuse of an old mill being converted into housing. A total of 95 percent of units will be affordable to seniors or families earning less than 60 percent of AMI. At least 327 units will be deeply affordable and restricted to individuals or families earning less than 30 percent of AMI.
It’s harvest season!
/in Life on the Bog Archives /by Linda BurkeDrive on nearly any back road in our corner of Massachusetts at this time of year and you’ll be treated to an iconic New England scene: the cranberry harvest, with a bright blue sky above and fall foliage in the distance.
Here at the A.D. Makepeace Company, harvest began in mid-September, and we’ll be at it until early November. ADM harvests about 1,700 acres of bogs in Plymouth, Wareham, and Carver, and all are wet harvested.
Here’s how it works: Cranberries contain pockets of air, and as a result, they can float in water. For the past 70 years or so, cranberry growers have taken advantage of this by flooding the bogs, then using picking machines to knock the berries off the vines. The berries then float to the surface of the flooded bog.
Plastic “booms” are used to round up the berries, which are then lifted by conveyor or pumped into a truck to take them to the receiving station in nearby Carver for cleaning.
From there, the fruit is sent to various processing plants. Wet harvested cranberries are used for juices, sauces, sweetened dried cranberries, or as ingredients in other processed foods. Dry harvested cranberries are found in bags in the produce aisle during the holiday season.
At this time of year, the growers are hoping for cool nights – needed to cause the berries to turn red – warm daytime temperatures, and a little rain. Hail, excessive rain or heat, and other weather extremes can damage the crop at this stage. Harvest activities are typically put on hold during very windy conditions.
The Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association offers cranberry bog tours showcasing the native red berry. Information about public tours is available on their website, cranberries.org.
They also offer self-guided tours. On the CCCGA website, you’ll find an interactive map of growers in the region that welcomes visitors to their property. Most growers don’t mind if you pull over to the side of the road to take photos of the picturesque harvest. Just please remember that it’s a working farm and you need to stay clear of truck traffic, hoses, and other potential hazards.
Plymouth County, Massachusetts
October, 2024
ADM Donates Cash, Furniture to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth
/in General, Life on the Bog Archives /by Linda BurkeThe donation was the result of a unique internal fundraiser, explained ADM Chief Executive Officer James Kane: The company had accumulated a supply of furniture and accessories used for staging model homes at Redbrook in Plymouth, and at the model apartment at 35 Rosebrook in Wareham. With no future need for the furniture, ADM offered it for sale to employees in a silent auction, enabling the staff to acquire furnishings and greatly discounted prices.
All proceeds from the sale were donated to Habitat.
In addition, items not sold at the auction were brought to Habitat’s ReStore, a shop located at 160 N. Main Street in Carver that sells a constantly changing inventory of diverse, high-quality donated merchandise to the public at a fraction of the retail price, while diverting reusable household items and building materials from area landfills. ReStores are used by Habitat affiliates throughout the United States to raise money for operations and affordable home construction.
“We’re always thrilled to support the good work that Habitat does,” Mr. Kane said. “This was a classic win-win.”
According to Amy Belmore, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth, the A.D. Makepeace Company will be recognized as a sponsor at the organization’s Hearts and Hammers Gala on November 1. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at givebutter.com/hfhgala24.
“We are tremendously grateful to A.D. Makepeace for this unique and creative way to support our affordable housing mission work, as well as our social enterprise, the ReStore. Not only have they continued to be a generous donor for us over the years, but they also provided important skilled labor and resources for the home we just completed in August. I’m certain these wonderful furnishings will be snapped up quickly and enjoyed by ReStore shoppers” said Belmore.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization that builds strength, stability and self-reliance. Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and resources to help low-income families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that everyone should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter should be a matter of conscience and action for all. Visit www.hfhplymouth.org for more information.
The 170-year-old A.D. Makepeace Company is developer of the award-winning Redbrook, North America’s largest cranberry grower, the largest private property owner in eastern Massachusetts, and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and stewardship. Visit admakepeace.com for more information.
Redbrook Water System Honored
/in General, Real Estate /by Linda BurkeBOSTON – In honor of National Drinking Water Week, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) announced today that 45 public water systems, four certified operators, and one childcare center have received awards for their noteworthy performance during 2023. Awardees demonstrated excellent water service to the public, no violations or compliance issues, and efforts that support overall public water supply service.
Among those honored was Agawam Springs Water Company, a subsidiary of the A.D. Makepeace Company which provides water to the residents of Redbrook.
“Water is our most valuable natural resource, and it takes the work of experienced professions to protect it from pollution, promote conservation, and build infrastructure to handle our future needs,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “National Drinking Water Week is the perfect time to honor these dedicated water suppliers and professionals who work every day to supply clean, safe, and healthy drinking water to millions of residents across Massachusetts.”
“Clean and sufficient drinking water doesn’t happen by accident. It’s because of the hard work of people like those being recognized today,” said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. “I’m honored to publicly commend these water systems and operators for their exceptional service and distinguished work protecting the health of their communities.”
For 38 years, MassDEP has recognized and awarded exemplary systems that have reached meritorious service for their work during the previous calendar year. Today’s public ceremony honoring the 2024 award recipients was held at the Devens Community Center in Devens, MA.
Read more here.
Tools Needed
/in General /by Linda BurkeOur partners at the Marion Institute are seeking assistance in securing tools for the Frogfoot Farm – Neighbors Feeding Neighbors initiative! As a start-up farm-to-food relief and gleaning program, Frogfoot Farm will dramatically increase the amount of fresh, nutrient-dense, and culturally relevant produce available to our food relief partners across Southeastern Massachusetts.
You can participate in this wonderful and important endeavor by donating new or gently used tools. The Farm’s wish list is below. If you can help, please send an email to rhiggins@marioninstitute.org. Thank you!
• 1 Garden Cart
• 4 Wheelbarrows
• 8 Pointed Shovels – short handle or long handle
• 2 Flat Spades
• 4 Bow Rakes
• 4 Spring Rakes
• 1 Post Pounder
• 2 300′ Measuring Tapes
• 4 Regular Measuring Tapes
• 4 Mulch Forks
• 4 Digging Forks
• 10 Hand Trowels
• 2 Hammers
• 2 Crowbars
• 2 Mallets
• 2 Pry Bars
• 1 Wrench Set
• Eye Protection Glasses
• Ear Protection (muffs or new foam plugs)
• 2 – 5 Gallon Gasoline Cans
• 4 Gardening Buckets
• Various Stand-Up Gardening Hoes
• Flame Weeder
• 5-Gallon Buckets – clean, with lids!
• Aluminum Trash Cans with Lids
• 1 Operational Farm Truck
A.D. Makepeace Companies, Redbrook To Celebrate Earth Day By Planting “Tiny Forest”
/in General, Real Estate /by Linda BurkePLYMOUTH – To celebrate Earth Day 2024, the A.D. Makepeace Companies, in coordination with Sustainable Redbrook, today announced the creation of a Miyawaki Forest at Redbrook. Commonly referred to as a pocket forest or tiny forest, the effort will bring more than 300 native plants to the River Run Way entrance of Redbrook. The forest planted at Redbrook will be the first Miyawaki Forest in the southeastern part of Massachusetts.
The Miyawaki Forest concept focuses on planting biodiverse, native, pocket-sized forests that lead to cooling, increased biodiversity, and carbon sequestration, among other benefits. The forests are typically installed in urban areas, with at least eight already growing or planned in Massachusetts, ranging from 1,100 square feet to 4,300 square feet.
The A.D. Makepeace Company’s Read Custom Soils (RCS) division will partner with the Redbrook Community to use the site as a pilot project for evaluating various types of engineered soils that best help the forests sequester carbon, provide tree canopy, and deliver habitat and environmental benefits. The project will be open to Redbrook residents, interested landscape architects, climate resiliency scientists, and interested members of the public to visit and engage.
Sustainable Redbrook, a group of Redbrook residents, identified the site at the entry to the community as an ideal location to showcase the project. Members of Sustainable Redbrook and Redbrook staff walked the site and refined the plan. Their involvement will continue with maintenance and documentation of the forest.
“Something that Redbrook residents have in common is a sophisticated understanding of environmental issues and concern for the planet,” said Dan Gorczyca, project executive for Redbrook. “This will be a great opportunity for all of us to watch the forest grow and be part of its success.”
Site work is expected to begin this spring. The first step is to tree-spade some trees already existing on site, which Project Manager Evan Miller, RLA ASLA, said will be transplanted to the new Redbrook Square property.
Next, two feet of compacted soils at the River Run Way site, home of the Redbrook sales trailer before the Meeting House was constructed, will be removed and replaced with the RCS’s proprietary Miyawaki Forest Planting Soil. The blend includes coarse sand, natural base loam, mature leaf compost, biochar and a mycorrhizal fungi inoculant. After planting, an additional four to six inches of RCS Miyawaki Forest Floor Layer will be placed over the soil and around the 350 new plantings in the 2,000-square-foot space. Though small at the time of planting, these densely planted young whips simulate the layers of a natural forest and allow for rapid growth of tree species, sub species, shrubs, and groundcover and can help to create a forest in just 20 to 30 years.
“We see this as a way for municipal officials and landscape professionals to see how a Miyawaki Forest could work in their own community,” said Jim Kane, president and chief executive officer of the A.D. Makepeace Company. “In an urban setting, it can mitigate heat islands, provide a habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators, and beautify a neighborhood.”
The tiny forest method thrives best when many native plants are introduced to an area that has been properly prepared, thus allowing the plants to grow quickly, with a canopy layer reaching mature height and shading smaller trees and shrubs. This site will allow visitors to walk through this emerging ecosystem and compare its growth with the neighboring established native pine barrens forest.
“Sustainable Redbrook embraces the Miyawaki tiny forest concept and looks forward to assisting in the installation and maintenance of this exciting project,” the organization said in a prepared statement. “Not only will our Redbrook Pollinator Pathway be further enhanced due to the Miyawaki Forest biodiversity, but this project will also help to create a greener and healthier future for our Redbrook community while providing a warm and inviting welcome for all who visit Redbrook every day.”
The A.D. Makepeace Company is evaluating area sites for another similar installation.
The 169-year-old A.D. Makepeace Company is developer of the award-winning Redbrook, North America’s largest cranberry grower, the largest private property owner in eastern Massachusetts, and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and stewardship. Visit admakepeace.com for more information.