Agriculture Lease Opportunities

Example of an agricultural parcel at Carolina South Shore Management Area
Example of an agricultural parcel at Carolina Management Area

DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) owns numerous parcels of land that were acquired for the benefit of wildlife conservation and passive outdoor recreation for the public. Agriculture is one of several management practices DFW uses. It provides multiple benefits for wildlife and the local economy by enhancing forage and cover for wildlife for hunting opportunities and supporting farmland access for growing and harvesting agricultural products. DFW oversees farming activities on leased sites to ensure the effects are consistent with management objectives. These leases are designed to meet the needs of wildlife, the farmer, the community, and DEM.

Available Parcels:

Overview

In general, the successful offeror pays a per acre fee to the Department each year to plant and harvest annual crops between March 1 and the indicated lease end date of each year. The successful offeror is required to plant and/or leave standing a small portion of crops for wildlife habitat. The successful offeror is also required to plant a cover crop of winter rye immediately following the harvest of the principal crop. General public use of the property shall be permitted throughout the lease period, and agricultural use may not hinder or otherwise prevent these activities.

Contract Terms

The contract period will begin approximately March 15 for October 1 each year for five years.  Contracts do not have any options to renew and will terminate at the end of the five-year period.

Insurance Requirements

In accordance with this solicitation, or as outlined in Section 13.19 of the General Conditions of Purchase, found at  and General Conditions - Addendum A, the following insurance coverage shall be required of the awarded vendor(s):

  • Liability - combined single limit of $1,000,000 per occurrence, $1,000,000 general aggregate and $1,000,000 products/completed operations aggregate.
Map of ag lease boundries for Southshore Management Area's Carpenter Unit

Document Resources

General Lease Requirements for South Shore Management Area – Carpenter Unit

  • No turf grass shall be permitted to be grown on the Premises.
  • Lessee shall apply lime and fertilizer in accordance with best management practices.
  • A total of thirteen (13) +/- tillable acres shall be planted, as follows:
    • The premises shall be managed to grow annual row crops including corn, potatoes, or other vegetables.
    • If a non-corn producer farms the parcel, the lessee shall plant a fifty (50) foot wide corn strip running along the east or southeast side of the field. If the parcel is farmed in corn, Lessee shall leave a fifty (50) foot wide corn strip standing for wildlife. Corn shall be harvested, and cover crop planted prior to September 30th of each year.
    • Lessee shall plant an annual cover crop of winter rye at the rate of 100 pounds per acre immediately following the harvest of the principal crop but no later than September 30th of each year.
  • The LESSEE shall follow appropriate agricultural and environmental Best Management Practices as determined by the RIDEM Division of Agriculture and/or the USDA.
  • The LESSEE shall comply with all regulations of the Rhode Island Pesticide Control Act of 1976 and all associated regulations.
  • Failure to comply with any terms or conditions of the lease will result in termination.
Submit Lease Application

In general, the successful offeror pays a per acre fee to the Department each year to plant and harvest annual crops between March 1 and the indicated lease end date of each year. The successful offeror is required to plant and/or leave standing a small portion of crops for wildlife habitat. The successful offeror is also required to plant a cover crop of winter rye immediately following the harvest of the principal crop. General public use of the property shall be permitted throughout the lease period, and agricultural use may not hinder or otherwise prevent these activities.

Contract Terms

The contract period will begin approximately March 15 for October 1 each year for five years.  Contracts do not have any options to renew and will terminate at the end of the five-year period.

Insurance Requirements

In accordance with this solicitation, or as outlined in Section 13.19 of the General Conditions of Purchase, found at  and General Conditions - Addendum A, the following insurance coverage shall be required of the awarded vendor(s):

  • Liability - combined single limit of $1,000,000 per occurrence, $1,000,000 general aggregate and $1,000,000 products/completed operations aggregate.
Boundry map of agricultural lease at SSMA Fields 4 and 5

General Lease Requirements for South Shore Management Area – Cheeseman Unit, Fields 4 and 5

  • Allowable Crops: corn, provided crop can be harvested by September 15th. If the Lessee intends to plant corn, they must use a variety that will reach maturity in time to ensure harvest and cover crop planting by September 15th. A 50-ft perimeter of corn must be left unharvested and standing surrounding the two hunting pit blinds on all sides.
  • In the event principal crop (corn) will not be planted in a given season, the LESSEE shall notify the LESSOR in writing by June 1 and shall plant a cover crop of rye at a rate of 150 lbs/acre throughout the entire leased area no later than July 15 and leave it unharvested. The wildlife food plot as described in part d) of this section shall still be planted as indicated.
  • Cover Crop: Following the harvest of the principal crop, a cover crop of winter rye must be planted by September 15th, annually, at a rate of 150 lbs/acre throughout the entire leased area in principal crop. Failure to harvest principal crops and plant appropriate cover crop by September 15th annually will result in the termination of this lease.
  • Wildlife Food Plot: two wildlife food plots of ~1 acre in size (75’ x 575’) will be located in Field #5 as depicted by Exhibit A (map attached). Food plots will be planted and managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife staff and boundaries will be marked. Access must be provided to DFW staff and principal crop may not be planted within their boundaries. Attempting to plant principal crop within the boundaries of these food plots will result in termination of this lease.
  • The LESSEE shall follow appropriate agricultural and environmental Best Management Practices as determined by the RIDEM Division of Agriculture and/or the USDA.
  • The LESSEE shall comply with all regulations of the Rhode Island Pesticide Control Act of 1976 and all associated regulations.
  • No turf grass shall be permitted to be grown on the premises.
  • Failure to comply with any terms or conditions of the lease will result in termination.
Submit Lease Application

Questions?

Please send questions to DEM.AgLeaseInfo@dem.ri.gov.