What Grows On in Rhode Island News

Buy All You Can at the Farmers' Markets and Farm Stands before Irene Barrels In!

From Coastal Market Manager, Bevan Linsley (Casey Farm, Saunderstown)

As Irene blows up the coast your farmers are working frantically to harvest everything they can just in case she really does hit us hard.  If she does, the damage to crops here may be substantial and our guys are already pretty tired at this time of the year.  Now, at the height of the harvest season, they have to stop their usual work, store everything away, tie everything else down, make sure the animals are safe and then harvest, harvest, harvest just in case there is nothing left next week. And then what to do with all that fresh produce if we don't come to market?  This is where we understand what local and sustainable really means, for this is the time for us to come to the aid of our farmers and share the risks of the weather and the season with them.

So, what they need from us now is our support on Saturday morning at the market. Come early, come often and buy as much as you can possibly afford to cook, can, freeze and eat while you are stuck inside during the storm this weekend!  The forecast currently anticipates Irene arriving here later on Sunday, so we are likely looking at a stormy morning on Saturday with wind and maybe a little rain but the [SOUTH COUNTY] MARKET WILL BE HELD AS ALWAYS!

See What Grows On in Rhode Island Sales Subcalendar for an easy-to-see summary of times and locations of upcoming Farmers' Markets. Full details about what's for sale when and where, and who sells what in addition to lists of farm stands, are on the Farm Fresh RI website.

Statewide Green Drinks ~ August 24, 2011

Today! 5pm to 8pm

Statewide Green Drinks at Narragansett Beach! It's a beautiful day to be by the Sea!

Volunteer ~ Save the Bay Prepares for Irene ~ August 27, 2011

We Need Your Help Preparing for Hurricane Irene!

Volunteers are needed at our Exploration Center Aquarium at Easton's Beach in Newport on Saturday, August 27 from 10 am - 2 pm to help fill sandbags to be used to block off the center from any potential flooding. Anytime you can give to help fill sandbags between 10 am and 2 pm would be greatly appreciated. Come grubby, bring your work gloves, a shovel and a bottle of water and we'll provide the rest!

Parking will be free if you're volunteering, just notify the staff at the beach gate you're there to volunteer for Save The Bay. The Exploration Center is located on the main floor of the Rotunda at Easton's Beach. The address is 175 Memorial Blvd. in Newport.

If you're able to help us out, please let me know at [email protected] or call 401.272.3540 x 130.

*Note: if you happen to already have filled sandbags that you'd like to share, feel free to drop them off anytime this week!*

Time to Sign Up for International Coastal Cleanup ~ September 17, 2011

September 17, 2011  ~ 9 a.m.-­noon*

*Some cleanups occur on a different date or time; check the Rhode Island International Coastal Cleanups for details.

Each year, volunteers around the world show they care about their coasts by flocking to the beaches to clean up and document the trash they find. The Audubon Society of Rhode Island is proud to coordinate cleanup efforts for the Ocean State. If you would like to volunteer, please contact one of the local cleanup leaders listed below. For general questions, contact July Lewis at 401-­949-­5454 x3044 or [email protected]. This is a rain-­or-­shine event, but may be postponed in the event of a severe storm.

Bring a pair of gloves and come prepared to make a difference!