Ag & Food Links

We're certainly not alone in striving for a brighter, better agricultural future in Rhode Island. Have a look at the links below for a wealth of agricultural and food industry contacts and information.

Harvest New England

Harvest New England is a program created to make it easier for New Englanders to identify locally produced products sold in supermarkets.

Farm to Institution New England

A six-state network of non-profit, public and private entities working collaboratively to strengthen our food system by increasing the amount of New England-grown and processed food served in our region’s schools, hospitals, colleges and other institutions.

New England Food Policy Council: Building a Sustainable Food System

A sustainable food and farming system in New England is key to creating a region that is resilient, just, healthy, economically vibrant, and environmentally sound. New England Food Policy: Building a Sustainable Food System identifies policies that are helping New England grow its capacity to feed itself, policies that are hindering this growth, gaps in the existing policy framework, and opportunities for new policies to strengthen our food system. The report is based on interviews with food and farming leaders across the region and nearly two years of research and analysis.

New England Small Farm Institute: New England LandLink (NELL)

NELL is a program to help farmers and landholders locate and transfer farms in New England. Finding and transferring farms are among the biggest challenges that New England farmers face. Since 1994, NELL has helped hundreds of entering and relocating farmers find farms. Through NELL, farm owners and managers have found farmers for their valued farm properties.

Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island (NOFA/RI)

NOFA/RI is an organization of farmers, gardeners and consumers working to promote organic farming and organic land care practices. We offer educational workshops and advocacy.

New England Apple Association

As a non-profit, grower funded organization, the New England Apple Association works to promote New England Apples. For educational resources, nutritional information and recipes or, to find a local orchard or store near you, visit the New England Apple Association today!

URI Farming in Rhode Island Articles

Take a look at local farming communities throughout the state of Rhode Island in "The Farming Survival in Rhode Island." This is a series of articles featured in the University of Rhode Island's College of the Environmental Life Sciences' (CELS) newsletter.

RI Farm to School Project

The Rhode Island Farm to School Project, coordinated by Kids First, is a collaboration between the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management/Division of Agriculture, the Rhode Island Department of Health, the Rhode Island Department of Education, Farm Fresh Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Farm Bureau, Southside Community land Trust, Rhode Island public and independent schools and Rhode Island farmers. The Rhode Island Farm to School Project encourages all Rhode Island school districts to buy locally grown foods to serve in school meals.

RI Farm Bureau

The Rhode Island Farm Bureau serves as a liason between farmers and government.

RI Farm Service Agency

The Rhode Island Farm Service Agency provides guidance to farmers for government programs.

RI Food Policy Council

The Rhode Island Food Policy Council's vision is to continue to link the state's food production system with the economy and better serve all Rhode Islanders.

RI Natural Resources Conservation Services

The Rhode Island Natural Resources Conservation Services provides technical assistance including funding and cost sharing to Rhode Island farms, to help assist in sustainable agriculture.

RI Nursery and Landscape Association

The Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association is the main agricultural landscaping business in the state. Their members include a variety of businesses, including contractors, landscapers, masons, turf farms and more.

US Department of Agriculture

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and (USDA/APHIS) provides a wide variety of services. Ex. farmers, and people traveling with animals.