PROVIDENCE – Six Rhode Island-based groups working to support local agriculture were awarded $187,667 in farm viability grants, the R.I. Department of Environmental Management announced Monday.
The grants come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant program. The DEM also received $88,947 from the grant program to support its “Get Fresh, Buy Local” campaign.
“We’re delighted to support Rhode Island specialty crop growers and cultivate their practices through this grant round and look forward to the success of these projects,” said DEM Director Janet Coit in a statement. “Congratulations to these grant recipients for their innovative efforts to strengthen markets for specialty crops and foster growth in our state’s farming industry.”
The DEM noted the USDA defines specialty crops as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts and nursery crops, including floriculture and turf grass.
The following organizations were awarded specialty crop grants:
- Farm Fresh Rhode Island – $50,000: To support the expansion of an educational component of a farm-to-school program through farm- and classroom-based educational opportunities for both students and school nutrition professionals.
- Caserta Productions – $49,984: To support the creation of seven new episodes of the “Harvesting Rhode Island” television series to promote Rhode Island specialty crop growers and educate consumers on the benefits of buying locally produced crops.
- Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island – $30,950: To support the organization’s efforts to train and provide technical assistance to local organic farmers.
- Southside Community Land Trust – $29,858: To support efforts to increase the impact of the organization’s Food Hub, which aggregates and distributes specialty crops grown at urban farm sites in Greater Providence.
- African Alliance of Rhode Island – $14,500: To support the organization’s aims of expansion of access to locally gown organic specialty vegetables, greens and “value-added products” in food deserts in upper and lower South Providence.
- Wishing Stone Farm – $12,375: To support the development of technologies and protocols for no-till vegetable production specific for New England soils and seasonal time horizons.
