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IPSWICH — Under a beautiful sky on the edge of the cornfields, community members, local officials, and business leaders gathered at Marini Farm last week to honor an Ipswich cornerstone.
The Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce presented Michael Marini, owner and third-generation operator of the farm, with the 2026 Ipswich Small Business Person of the Year award.
The bustling reception served as a collective “thank you” to a man whose multi-generational business has deeply woven itself into the fabric of the region.
“Imagine the community without Marini Farm,” said Keith Harris, president of the Chamber’s board of directors, prompting an enthusiastic shout of “No!” from the attendees.
Chamber CEO Sam Bevins formally presented the award to Marini, acknowledging the immense task of stewardship.
“As a third-generation farmer, Mike, you’ve inherited more than a business — you’ve inherited a responsibility,” Bevins said. “A responsibility to preserve your family legacy, while ensuring that it continues to grow and succeed for your future generations. And that’s no easy task, especially in today’s world. Yet, under your leadership, Marini Farm has remained true to its roots while evolving into one of the North Shore’s most beloved destinations.”
Century-long legacy
The event arrived just two years shy of the farm’s upcoming centennial milestone. The Marini family originally purchased the property on Linebrook Road alongside three other families in 1928 after moving to the United States from Italy. The Marinis eventually became the sole owners of the land in 1978.
That deep history set the stage for the evening’s most personal tribute, delivered by the recipient’s son, Brayden Marini. As a proud fourth-generation member of the family business, he praised his father for successfully bridging those foundational generational values with progressive management, all while remaining a dedicated family man.
“He has worked hard to keep the farm moving forward while staying true to the values that have been passed down throughout the generations,” the younger Marini said, noting his father’s implementation of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, SNAP benefit access, and regional agricultural board leadership.
The official event program echoed this sentiment, noting that Mike is widely respected for blending agricultural tradition with thoughtful innovation. Under his modern guidance, the original wholesale operation has transformed into a vibrant year-round destination complete with an expanded farmstand, greenhouse operations, a dedicated bakery, and massive agritourism draws like its famous seasonal corn maze.
Leading by example
Though Marini admitted during his speech that he prefers to “sit in the shadows” rather than stand in the spotlight, his employees made it clear that his hands-on leadership is the driving force behind the farm’s welcoming culture.
“He leads by example,” said Marlene Nagle, a baker at Marini Farm. “He always checks in with each employee and with each customer who comes in — always with a smile.”
Farmstand employee Alicia Attardo agreed, adding that Marini’s humility translates directly to daily operations.
“There’s nothing he won’t do,” Attardo said, recalling him jumping behind cash registers or restocking shelves alongside his staff and his wife, Kim.
Town recognition
Members of the Ipswich Select Board were on hand to deliver an official proclamation.
Select Board member Sarah Player, an old family friend whose grandfather once helped run the farm’s original, small corner stand, spoke directly to the business’s profound adaptability.
The Town’s proclamation praised Marini’s commitment to pesticide-free farming methods and his development of the Children’s Garden, an educational aspect of the farm designed to instruct the next generation on land stewardship.
All about community
Accepting the honor, Marini continuously deflected praise, noting that a seasonal independent business cannot survive a century without immense local backing.
“We wouldn’t be here without a strong community. Ipswich is awesome,” Marini said. “You can’t do that alone. You can’t do that without a strong community behind you, and we have that.”
Looking toward the future, Marini teased a few upcoming farm innovations, including the development of a newly established lavender field that will be mature enough to host community events later this season.
But as guests mingled on the warm June evening, the focus remained entirely on celebrating a century of roots and a man dedicated to keeping them alive.
“I’m humbled and I’m honored,” Marini said. “And I’ll keep working my very hardest to keep it going.”
