Southside Community Land Trust awarded $600K to aid new R.I. farmers

MARGARET DEVOS,  Southside Community Land Trust’s executive director, thanked the USDA for recognizing and supporting the nonprofit's work.  / COURTESY SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST
MARGARET DEVOS, Southside Community Land Trust’s executive director, thanked the USDA for recognizing and supporting the nonprofit's work. / COURTESY SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST

PROVIDENCE – Southside Community Land Trust received $596,517 in federal funding to create more training opportunities for beginning farmers throughout the state over the next three years, Rhode Island’s congressional delegation said Thursday.

SCLT, a nonprofit specializing in urban agriculture, will receive funds through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program to help train and develop new and beginning farmers and ranchers through workshops, farmer-to-farmer mentoring and technical assistance.

U.S. Sen. Jack F. Reed said the federal funding will help Rhode Island’s farms grow and keep agricultural traditions alive.

“It will help Southside Community Land Trust expand its reach, and enable nonprofits, academic institutions and its partners to collaborate, cultivate and support the next generation of farmers and food producers here in Rhode Island. Whether it’s assistance with accessing credit or using the right equipment, this program helps beginning farmers who are starting from scratch to learn the business side of running a farm from the ground up. And it lets more experienced farmers share their wisdom and know-how with the next generation,” Reed said in a statement.

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SCLT will coordinate with the University of Rhode Island, Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island, Young Farmer Network, The Nature Conservancy, R.I. Department of Environmental Management, Brown University, Rhode Island Land Trust Council and Northern Rhode Island Conservation Districts to support programs.

In addition to training and technical assistance, the program will provide space at farm incubator sites in urban and rural Rhode Island, offer on-farm apprenticeships and assist farmers in securing their own farmland.

SCLT expects it will serve more than 425 beginning or aspiring farmers and ranchers.

“Across Rhode Island, people increasingly view agriculture and family farms as important areas of our economy, as integral to the health of our families and as one crucial way to protect our environment. Thanks to the USDA for recognizing and supporting our work,” Margaret DeVos, Southside Community Land Trust’s executive director, said in a statement.

Besides Providence, SCLT has farms and gardens in Cranston and Pawtucket, and will soon open a new location in Central Falls.

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