Funding supports specialty
crop production, sales in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced $225,524 in grant awards to five local groups working to grow the state's agricultural sector.
The grants, funded under the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, support efforts to grow the
marketplace and increase local production of specialty crops. USDA defines
specialty crops as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery
crops, including floriculture and turf grass.
"Agriculture is an important, diverse industry poised for
growth in Rhode Island," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "We're pleased
to announce these awards that support our local growers and their businesses as
well as increase consumer understanding and demand for Rhode Island's specialty
crops.
The work these grant recipients are doing is vital to ensuring the
continued viability of agriculture in Rhode Island, and we are proud to be a
partner. Kudos to all!"
Grant recipients include:
Southside Community Land
Trust -
$25,750 Funding supports creation of a food hub that will collect specialty
crops grown at urban farm sites in the Providence area and distribute to Rhode
Island's low-income communities.
Northeast Organic Farming
Association of Rhode Island (NOFA/RI) - $20,800 Funding supports NOFA/RI's efforts to train and
provide technical assistance to local organic farmers. Available trainings will
include advanced grower seminars and on-farm workshops where organic techniques
will be reviewed. Participating farmers also have access to an advisor to
support them in producing high-value organic crops.
RI Organic Farm Market -
$29,730 Funding supports RI Organic's market and "Farm Share Baskets"
program. Through this program, RI Organic delivers locally sourced, organic and
non-GMO specialty crops to Rhode Island residences.
University of Rhode Island -
$21,851 Funding supports the Department of Plant Sciences' efforts to increase
production of African-origin vegetable crops on Rhode Island's urban farms.
Efforts also include educating urban growers and providing community workshops
on these crops.
Additionally, DEM received $77,393 under USDA's Specialty Crop
Block Grant Program to support its buy local campaign, "Get Fresh, Buy
Local." The funds will be used to help increase consumer awareness and
demand for specialty crop products.
Rhode Island is experiencing significant growth in its
agricultural and local food sector. The state's food system now supports 60,000
jobs, and Rhode Island is one of a few states where the number of farms is on
the rise, now standing at more than 1,200 farms.
The state also leads the nation in the percent of its farms
selling directly to the public. Green industries in Rhode Island account for
more than 15,000 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion to the economy.
For more information about the Specialty Crop Block Grant
awards, visit USDA.gov.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit
www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on
Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.
