Agriculture Grant Opportunities

As part of its continued efforts to grow Rhode Island's green economy, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has announced $600,000 will be available to help local farmers "green" their operations and benefit from the related energy and cost savings. The new Rhode Island Farm Energy Program supports energy efficiency projects and helps farmers transition to renewable power.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Agriculture administers the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act Grants Program. The goal of the program, which was established by the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) of 2012, is to support the growth, development, and marketing of local food and seafood in Rhode Island.

The purpose of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) program is to develop and administer state-coordinated initiatives to build resilience across the middle of the State’s food supply chain for food crops. Funds will support expanded capacity for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally and regionally produced food products, including specialty crops, dairy, grains for consumption, aquaculture, and other food products, excluding meat and poultry. DEM will work in partnership with USDA to make competitive sub-award investments in middle of the supply chain infrastructure (Infrastructure Grants) to domestic food and farm businesses and other eligible entities.

The RIDEM/Division of Agriculture is pleased to announce the availability of Farm Viability grant funds to enhance the Competitiveness of Specialty Crops grown in Rhode Island. Specialty crops are defined by this federally supported program as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops, including floriculture such as Christmas Trees, cut flowers, honey, hops, and turf grass production. Examples of enhancing the market competitiveness of specialty crops include, but are not limited to Research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, "buy local" programs, increased consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, and developing cooperatives.

Certified organic operations in Rhode Island may apply for USDA organic certification cost share reimbursement through RIDEM Division of Agriculture annually when funds become available and after forms and information have been updated: Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Kent County office also has accepted applications for organic certification cost share reimbursement—please contact FSA for current program status. Required FSA forms and contact information are online.

Rhode Island Produce Safety Improvement Grants help Rhode Island produce growers implement on-farm food safety practices, transition to compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, and meet market demands for on-farm food safety. This grant round allows for up to $35,000 of funding in grant opportunities to assist eligible Rhode Island farmers and food businesses with projects that have goals to improve quality, efficiency, and food safety.