Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

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.

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 September 15 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 initial contract period will begin approximately May 1, 2026, and continue through September 15, 2026, and March 1 to September 15 annually thereafter through  September 15, 2030. Leases have one option to renew for an additional three (3) years, dependent upon management needs at the Premises and the lessee’s record of compliance with the terms and conditions, to be determined by DEM at the expiration of the first term upon request from the lessee.

Insurance Requirements

In accordance with this solicitation and consistent with State of Rhode Island’s Risk Management lease insurance requirements, the following insurance coverage shall be required of the awarded vendor(s):

  • The selected lessee shall be expected to maintain general liability insurance of for bodily injuries of $1,000,000 for any one person, $2,000,000 per occurrence, and $100,000 for property damage for any one occurrence. 

Available Parcel and General Lease Requirements 

  • A) 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.

  • B) In the event principal crop (corn) will not be planted in a given season, the LESSEE shall notify the LESSOR in writing by June 1st of any given year and shall plant a cover crop of rye at a rate of 150 lbs/acre throughout the entire leased area no later than July 15th of any given year and leave it unharvested. The wildlife food plot as described in part d) of this section shall still be planted as indicated.

  • C) 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.

  • D) Wildlife Food Plot: a wildlife food plot consisting of a grain-producing millet shall be planted on the north side of the southern section of the field, running east to west parallel to the road as shown in the map (Appendix B). The plot will run the full east to west width of the field, approximately 250 ft deep north to south, to cover approximately 9.5 acres. Wildlife food plots must be fertilized at the time of planting and the crop must be left unharvested. Failure to plant an appropriate wildlife food plot by June 1st annually will result in termination of this lease. 

  • E) No turf grass shall be permitted to be grown on the Premises.

  • F) The LESSEE shall comply with all regulations of the Rhode Island Pesticide Control Act of 1976. 

  • G) LESSEE shall apply lime and fertilizer in accordance with Best Management Practices.

  • H) Recognizing that extenuating circumstances, such as weather and other factors, may affect the harvest and planting of crops and cover, the LESSOR may extend the annual LEASE term provided the LESSEE has requested such an extension in writing and obtained written approval from the LESSOR for each year of the LEASE period. 

  • I) The LESSEE shall conduct operations in accordance with all applicable agricultural Best Management Practices as determined by the RIDEM Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment and/or US Department of Agriculture. 

  • J) Failure to comply with any terms or conditions of the LEASE will result in termination. 

  • K) Recognizing that the Premises was purchased by the LESSOR for the benefit of wildlife resource protection and to create opportunities for hunting, the LESSEE agrees that general public use of the Premises shall be permitted throughout the LEASE period and that agricultural use of the Premises may not hinder or otherwise prevent these activities.

Aerial map showing the boundaries of Wright Farm at Carolina Management Area
Submit Lease Application

Still have questions?

Please contact DEM.AgLeaseInfo@dem.ri.gov.