MassDevelopment has provided a $60,000 community service loan on behalf of the Farm Institute in Edgartown, a teaching farm that offers educational programs and provides the community with Island-grown meat and produce. The institute plans to use loan proceeds to connect the leased farm property to the local town water supply in Edgartown. Some of the loan will also pay for irrigation equipment and tools.

“{The farm] hits for the triple crown by preserving open space, providing fresh produce and educating people in Massachusetts about the important roles that farms play in the Commonwealth,” said MassDevelopment president and chief executive Robert L. Culver.

“The loan allowed us to bring town water to our facilities, which the health department required to insure a healthy supply for the more than 1,000 youngsters participating in our various summer programs,” said Farm Institute board president Frank Wezniak. “We had to provide expensive bottled water last year. The funds came in time to do the work this spring so that the programs could start in June, right on time.”