PROVIDENCE – Over $200,000 in grants was awarded to local food businesses, the R.I. Department of Environmental Management announced on Wednesday as part of its annual Agriculture Day. The awards were funded by the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act’s grant program.
“LASA continues to be an important catalyst in growing our food and agricultural businesses in Rhode Island,” said DEM Director Janet Coit in a statement. “It’s fitting to celebrate these awards and the initiatives they help fund during the annual Ag Day celebration, which shines a bright light on our state’s vibrant food scene and rich agricultural and fishing heritage. Kudos to all grant recipients! I look forward to celebrating the success of these initiatives.”
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According to the press release, LASA has provided over $900,000 over the past four years to support growth of Rhode Island’s local food economy, which it says supports 60,000 jobs.
The winners and their funded projects:
- Backyard Food Co., $6,890: Expand greenhouse production space
- Brandon Family Farm, $5,229: Support creation of pawpaw fruit orchard
- Charlie’s Sugarhouse, $3,000: Expand parking area for education programs
- Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation, $18,255: Develop an educational series for restaurateurs on local seafood products
- Hocus Pocus Farm, $6,578: Improve soil conservation by transitioning to a no-till method of farming
- Hurricane Hill Farm Collaborative, $19,836: Provide incubator farm space and support infrastructure
- Jerusalem Shellfish Co. LLC, $10,000: Restore a walk-in cooler and ice maker
- Little River Farm, $3,500: Support expansion of caterpillar hoop-house tunnels to help extend the farming season
- Little State Flower Co., $8,949: Help develop historic farm site and expand flower-growing business
- Moonrose Farm, $6,362: Purchase a mobile walk-in cooler
- Mooresfield Oyster Farm, $15,072: Enhance food safety measures
- Northern Rhode Island Conservation District, $19,613: Help expand farming opportunities at Snake Den Farm
- Ocean State Oyster Hatchery, $9,000: Purchase and install a commercial generator
- Pat’s Pastured, $12,500: Improve chicken coops for greater efficiency and humane raising of birds
- Point Judith Kelp Co., $6,000: Support wild seaweed harvest and development of new products
- Rhode Island Shellfisherman’s Association, $1,931: Repair and upgrade upweller
- Sanctuary Teas & Herbs, $12,160: Help launch a new business venture with refugee farmers
- Walrus and Carpenter Oysters LLC, $12,000: Support expansion of sugar-kelp hatchery
- Westbay Community Action, $4,510: Develop cold storage and a new farm stand
- West Elmwood Housing Development Corp./Sankofa Initiative, $17,015: Support purchase of cold storage for produce grown at Sankofa community farm
- Wild Harmony Farm, $11,600: Purchase an egg-washing machine and expand capacity
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
