RI Farmland Access Clearinghouse

The Division of Agriculture and our partners have identified improving access to farmland as a major priority. Farmland values in Rhode Island are among the highest in the country and lack of access to affordable farmland threatens RI’s agricultural sector. Listed below are ways to access farmland around the state. If you are looking to sell the development rights to your farmland, please visit the state Farmland Preservation Program page here.

Looking for farmland? START HERE.

Contact Land for Good: Need one-on-one help finding the right piece of farmland for you? Contact Land for Good to sign up for free consultation. Land For Good is a regional organization working to help farmers access land across the New England region.

Farmland Opportunities

Farmland Access Program

The Farmland Access Program is a voluntary program that supports the growth of Rhode Island’s agricultural economy by promoting access to farmland for new farmers and existing agricultural businesses. The Farmland Access Program purchases farmland from willing landowners at fair-market value, restricts that land with an affirmative agriculture easement, then transfers the land to a qualified farmer at restricted agricultural value.

Similar to our existing Farmland Preservation Program, which purchases development rights from farmers and has helped over 100 farmers retain ownership of their farms, the Farmland Access Program prioritizes the state’s most productive agricultural lands. The primary purpose of the Farmland Access Program is to provide sellers of Rhode Island farmland incentive to see their land remain in farming upon transfer to new ownership.

The Farmland Access Program is just one of several methods utilized by Rhode Island farmland owners and seekers to ensure farmland is retained for future agricultural use. Listed below are other ways to access farmland around the state.

For Farmers Seeking Farmland

State-sponsored Farmland Leasing Opportunities:

  • Snake Den Farm, Johnston: This 150-acre farm, owned by DEM and managed by the Northern RI Conservation District, is leased out to farmers via long-term lease arrangements. They offer access to water, barn storage, and convenient access to markets. Contact Marina Capraro for more information.
  • Urban Edge Farm, Cranston: This 50-acre farm, owned by DEM and managed by the Southside Community Land Trust, is leased out to farmers who collaboratively manage the farm’s operation and maintenance. They offer access to water, barn storage, cold storage, washing stations, and convenient access to markets.
  • Agricultural Leases managed by the DEM Division of Fish & Wildlife

NGO Farmland Listing Websites:

  • New England Farmland Finder: A regional clearinghouse for farmland opportunities across New England. Find a farm, post your farmland opportunity, or find resources for farmland seekers and landowners interested in making their land available for farming.
  • Northeast Ag Exchange: An online forum for connecting about farming + land + jobs + other agricultural stuff in the Northeast. Maintained by Farm Fresh in partnership with Young Farmer Network, RI DEM, and RI Farm Bureau.
  • Land For Good: Need one-on-one help finding the right piece of farmland for you? Contact Land for Good to sign up for free consultation. Land For Good is a regional organization working to help farmers access land across the New England region.

For Farmland Owners Seeking Farmers

Resources for Selling Farmland:

Resources for Leasing Farmland:

Other Resources

Conservation Law Foundation’s Legal Food Hub is a free legal services clearinghouse for farmers, food entrepreneurs, and related organizations. Visit their website for more information and to sign up to get help.

This web page reflects the work of a consortium of organizations who work to support farmland access in RI. Southside Community Land Trust, Young Farmer Network, The Nature Conservancy of Rhode Island, RI Department of Environmental Management, RI Land Trust Council, Northern RI Conservation District, and Land For Good are working together to help connect people seeking farmland with landowners leasing or selling their farmland.