None to Charlestown, but several grants in South County
The
grants are funded by the state through the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act
(LASA), which directly benefits and strengthens the local food system by
helping new and existing small businesses and food initiatives take root and
prosper. Now in its seventh year, LASA has provided more than $1.4 million –
through grants up to $20,000 – to support the growth of Rhode Island's local
food economy.
"DEM is
always working to get more home-grown food on the table and by supporting local
farmers and fishers in growing their businesses, the LASA grants help achieve
this," said DEM Acting Director Terry Gray.
"Growing
local and eating local, fresh, sustainable food minimizes transportation costs,
reduces carbon emissions, and boosts the local economy while providing the
freshest product possible to the consumer."
The 2021 LASA grantees
African Alliance of Rhode Island, Providence, $15,175: To help establish two permanent sites for weekly farmers' markets and provide markets at three rotating locations from June to October.
Ashawaug Farm,
Ashaway, $20,000: To purchase a tractor and thus expand the farming operation's
agricultural production.
DBA Ocean State
Community Seafood, Warren, $9,910: To develop tools and educational/outreach
resources and initiate a presence at local festivals, farmers' markets, and
docks, to enhance local fishers' brands, consumer connections, and
profitability.
First Light
Fisheries Inc., Portsmouth, $20,000: To develop marketing techniques and
business channels to increase profitability of catch sales to local
restaurants, small grocery stores, and the public across the state.
Hawk and Handsaw
Farm LLC, Newport, $5,167: To purchase a caterpillar tunnel to expand business,
extend the growing season, and provide more locally grown food to the
community.
Hope's Harvest
Rhode Island, Providence, $20,000: To enable contracts to grow produce for the
local emergency food system, build farmer capacity, and enhance the economic
competitiveness of RI-grown agricultural products.
Movement Ground
Farm, Tiverton, $10,756: To purchase essential items to increase farm
viability, such as a potato digger to aid in harvest, a buckeye cultivator and
tool bar for weed management, and a composting toilet to accommodate increased
farm visitation.
Quaintly Farm
LLC, Providence, $10,532: To update an existing high tunnel (where plants are
growing right in the ground as they would in a garden) thereby establishing a
longer growing season and increasing capacity of local vegetable and fruits to
Communities of Color.
Revelry
Greens/White Horse Farm, Portsmouth, $18,500: To initiate a farm expansion
project, which will provide new tools, season extension, arborist services, and
infrastructure needed to increase no-till vegetable production and establish a
new, full-time family farm in Portsmouth by 2022.
Roots 2Empower,
Pawtucket, $12,904: To construct a drying shed to enable the increase of
value-added products such as vinaigrettes, garlic powders, and savory rubs.
Sakonnet River
Oyster Company, Bristol, $10,000: To purchase a tube sorter or tumbler, which
sorts oysters by size and efficiently prunes the edges of the oysters. The
tumbler will help produce a higher yield of marketable oysters.
Silk Tree Farm,
Exeter, $20,000: To buy a tractor and attachments to allow the farm to execute
daily tasks more efficiently and safely.
Small World Farm
LLC, Little Compton, $15,000: To build an agricultural utility building that
will serve as a farmer's market, enabling direct consumer sales of fresh and
local produce.
Snake Den
Farmers Association, Johnston, $8,607: To update a washroom to a standard of
food safety that meets state and federal requirements and provide an indoor
protected workspace to enable an extended harvest season.
Southside
Community Land Trust, Cranston, $15,426: To provide farmers at Good Earth Farm
with a designated space for crop storage and wash/pack facilities.
Swallowtail Farm
and Cidery, Glocester, $7,795: To purchase a cool bot-regulated walk-in cooler
for processing and storage of apple cider, honey, and vegetables.
Tiverton Farmers
Market, Tiverton, $16,180: To promote growth for small agricultural producers
and food entrepreneurs by providing a year-round farmers' market to the local
community.
Wellspring
Apothecary, Tiverton, $2,500: To purchase a tincture press and dehydrator to
assist with more efficient herb processing.
Westerly Land
Trust, Westerly, $5,000: To purchase materials to construct a permanent farm
stand, which will facilitate community access to local grown food and
agricultural products.
Winterhawk
Vineyards, West Kingstown, $6,548: To expand the capacity of the grape vine
cloning operation from 50 stations to 200 stations and double output by
higher-efficiency pumps, misters, and controls.
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.
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