Rhode Island farms are embracing sustainability with clean energy initiatives.
Governor Daniel J. McKee announced that twenty-three Rhode Island farms will receive $400,000 in agricultural energy grants aimed at supporting clean energy investments. This funding is part of the Agricultural Energy Grant Program and addresses supply chain disruptions to enhance local agriculture’s efficiency and resilience. Notable recipients include the Southside Community Land Trust and Brandon Family Farm. These grants are a significant step in boosting the local agricultural infrastructure and promoting sustainability within the state.
Providence, Rhode Island — Twenty-three farms across Rhode Island are set to receive a total of $400,000 in agricultural energy grants aimed at supporting clean energy investments. This announcement was made on Tuesday by Governor Daniel J. McKee, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, and the Rhode Island Department of Management. The funds come from the Agricultural Energy Grant Program, which is designed to promote initiatives that focus on sustainability and clean energy within the state’s agricultural sector.
The financial support comes at a crucial time as Rhode Island’s local agriculture aims to improve efficiency and resilience against increasing challenges posed by supply chain disruptions. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) had previously awarded over one million dollars through federal Resilient Food System Infrastructure Program grants on March 3 to enhance local agriculture and businesses. This funding is part of a broader strategy to reinforce food system resiliency and ensure local agriculture can better withstand external impacts.
New England states often rely heavily on food sourced from other regions such as the southern or western United States, Central America, or South America, which makes local farming efforts increasingly important. Ananda Fraser, an environmental policy analyst for RIDEM, explained that many Rhode Island farms find themselves at the end of a long supply chain. This situation emphasizes the need for investment in local capabilities, particularly as Rhode Island boasts the most expensive farmable land in the United States.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rhode Island’s agricultural real estate is approximately four times more expensive than the national average, which adds additional pressure on local farmers. The recent supply chain disruptions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted these vulnerabilities and the necessity for supportive measures to bolster the local economy.
RIDEM’s grants specifically aim to enhance the infrastructure needed for local processing and distribution of agricultural products. Among the recipients of these significant grants are several key players in the Rhode Island agricultural scene, including Southside Community Land Trust, Brandon Family Farm, Farm Fresh Rhode Island, and Hard-Pressed Cider Company, all classified as mid-stage supply chain producers. This round of grants signifies the first substantial funding directed towards mid-stage producers in a decade, addressing a long-standing gap in financial support.
Brandon Family Farm received over $100,000 which will be utilized for renovations to improve storage conditions and facilitate better purchasing agreements among small farmers. Southside Community Land Trust was awarded the largest grant, exceeding $500,000, designated for the construction of the Cranston Food Hub. This hub is expected to aggregate and store produce, directly benefiting roughly 155 local producers and their partners.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island received nearly $200,000 to expand their virtual marketplace and initiate a pilot program aimed at producing sauce for K-12 cafeterias, reflecting a growing trend towards local sourcing in school nutrition programs. Hard-Pressed Cider Company plans to invest their grant of over $280,000 into a new cider processing facility, further supporting local agriculture and community development.
The recent funding efforts indicate a renewed commitment from state officials to strengthen local agriculture, enhance community resilience, and improve overall food security in Rhode Island. This initiative signifies a strategic approach to not only minimize reliance on out-of-state produce but also bolster the local economy through sustainability and collaboration among local farmers and businesses.
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