What Grows On in Rhode Island News

Four Weekly Farmers' Markets Open this Week at State Parks ~ May 3, 2012

RI Department of Environmental Management Press Release:

DEM ANNOUNCES OPENING OF FOUR WEEKLY FARMERS' MARKETS AT STATE PARKS THIS WEEK; OTHER MARKETS  OPERATED BY DEM SLATED TO OPEN IN MID-JULY

Bedding Plants, Flowers Available at Farmers’ Markets for Mother’s Day, Memorial Day

            PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that four farmers' markets located in state parks will open on a weekly basis beginning this week. For the first few weeks, the popular markets primarily will offer bedding plants, hanging plants, cut flowers, early vegetable crops, honey, and maple syrup. As traditional local summer crops become available, more vendors will participate.

“The growing demand for local food is sending consumers flocking to farmers’ markets and farm stands across the state,” said DEM Director Janet Coit.  “Greater access to locally grown products is also improving the nutritional health of Rhode Islanders.  What a win-win this is for all involved – the public who have an opportunity to buy the freshest produce, meats and seafood possible, and the farmers who sell their products directly to consumers.”

The farmers' markets in DEM-operated parks and market hours of operation are:

• Goddard Memorial State Park Farmers' Market in Warwick, Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning on May 4.
• Colt State Park Farmers' Market in Bristol, Fridays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. beginning on May 4.
• Fishermens' Memorial State Park Farmers' Market in Narragansett, Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning on May 6.
• Haines Memorial State Park Farmers' Market on Route 103 on the East Providence/Barrington line, Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. beginning on May 2.

            The opening of the DEM Farmers' Markets coincides with the opening of many other farmers' markets throughout the state. Several additional farmers’ markets operated by DEM will open in mid-to-late July, including:

• Capitol Hill Farmers’ Market in Providence, Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning on July 19.
• Pastore Complex Farmers’ Market in Cranston, Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning on July 20.
• Blackstone River Visitor Center Farmers’ Market on Rt. 295 North in Lincoln, Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. beginning on July 17.
• Johnston Farmers’ Market at Memorial Park on Route 6 (Hartford Avenue), Mondays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. beginning on July 23.
• State Pier Nine Farmers Market at State Pier Nine in Newport, Fridays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. beginning on July 20.

            DEM Farmers' Markets accept farmers' market checks from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) administered by the Department of Health. The successful Senior Farmers' Nutrition Program, administered by DEM for the past eight years, will be offered as the season progresses, with coupons expected to be available at senior centers sometime in July. To qualify for the program, persons 60 or older make a simple self-declaration of income based on household size. DEM coordinates the program in conjunction with the RI Department of Elderly Affairs.

Rhode Island has 1,219 farms, mostly family run, which occupy 61,000 acres.  The state has a growing number of farmers markets (50) and other retail venues and collaborative efforts. According to the 2007 USDA Census of Agriculture,  Rhode Island was ranked number three in the country for direct marketing sales of fruits and vegetables from farms to consumers, on a per farm basis.  Rhode Island also had $6.3 million worth of agriculture sales sold directly to the public, equal to 9.5 percent of all agriculture market sales, which ranked Rhode Island first in the US for percentage of direct market sales.  “Farmers’ markets help create a more sustainable, locally-based food system that benefits the Rhode Island economy and environment,” Director Coit noted.

DEM's Division of Agriculture and Resource Marketing, which helps farmers with marketing information, offers a free brochure that lists the locations of all farmers' markets and roadside stands, along with addresses, hours, days and months of operation, and telephone numbers. To obtain a free brochure, or participate in the state farmers' markets, please contact the Division at 222-2781. The brochure is also available on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on “Agriculture in Rhode Island” on the left side of the homepage, then “For Consumers,” then “Farmers Markets.” 

RI Agriculture Day ~ April 26, 2012

From RI Department of Environmental Management:

DEM Director to Release RI Agriculture Economic Impact Study

PROVIDENCE - To recognize the importance of the state's $100+ million agriculture industry, the Department of Environmental Management will host Rhode Island Agriculture Day at the State House on Thursday, April 26.

This year’s RI Agriculture Day program will feature a rollout of the Agricultural Economic Impact Study conducted by URI in partnership with DEM, the RI Nursery and Landscape Association, RI Turf Grass Foundation, RI Agricultural Partnership and EDC.  As part of the Rhode Island Agriculture Day festivities, approximately 50 exhibitors will host displays and offer local food samples in the State House Rotunda from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.            

The Agricultural Economic Impact Study to be released on Agricultural Day is a very recent assessment of the economic impact of local agriculture as well as what are commonly termed “green” industries (golf courses, landscaping, retail garden centers etc.).   The study has revealed a very significant and wide-spread economic impact, to which Tom Sproul of URI will speak.

The Agriculture Day speaking program will begin at 2 p.m. in the Governor's State Room, and the exhibits will be on display through much of the day in the State House Rotunda.  Along with DEM Director Coit, participants in the program include Tom Sproul, URI Agricultural Economist, Senator Susan Sosnowski, Representative Deborah Ruggiero, and Sarah Partyka and her father John of The Farmer’s Daughter and South County Farms, Inc. South Kingstown.

RI Agriculture Day is coordinated by DEM’s Division of Agriculture.

Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Grant

The Rhode Island Association of Conservation Districts (RIACD) has been awarded $148,853 in grant money by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The grant is called a Beginning Farmer Rancher Development grant. This type of grant is used to help beginning farmers or ranchers in ways that makes it easier for them to get answers to their questions as well as help them learn about the business of farming in today’s ever changing world.

The RIACD will partner with URI, UCONN, and a number of private and public entities to help beginning farmers in three basic ways. There will be a feasibility study done to determine if an equipment bank would be financially viable in the State of Rhode Island as well as Eastern CT and Southeastern MA. There will also be a web tool created that will allow beginning farmers to ask questions and be directed to places where they can access answers to those questions. Lastly, there will be a series of modules that will teach the beginning farmer about his or her business and how to create a financial plan.

For additional information, please contact:

Richard Went, RIACD President
2283 Hartford Avenue
Johnston, RI 02919
401- 934-0840 or 401-345-3974
dwent@verizon.net

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.

NOFA Organic Growing Summer Conference ~ August 12-14, 2011

From Friday August 12 through Sunday August 14, the NOFA Summer Conference will take place at the UMass Amherst campus. Stay for the weekend to select from over 200 organic growing workshops, enjoy organic food, friends and exhibitors.

There are 225+ workshops on organic farming, gardening and land care, draft animals in farming and forestry, homesteading, sustainability, nutrition, food politics, activism, and much, much more.

Some special workshops are designed for kids and teens. An educational, fun opportunity for your children to bond with others from the Northeast while you attend workshops and events.

Entertainment for the whole family: Music and dance, an old-fashioned Country Fair, farmer's market, games and fun. Modest registration, inexpensive dorm rooms, camping and delicious, wholesome organic meals.

They guarantee it will be worth your while!

Register online!

Developing the Rhode Island Seafood Knowledge Economy ~ June 26-28, 2011

Announcing the 10th Annual Ronald C. Baird Sea Grant Science Symposium

Developing the Rhode Island Seafood Knowledge Economy: Perspectives on Seafood Sustainability 

June 26-28, 2011

Scientists, seafood suppliers, and chefs will offer their perspectives on sourcing sustainable seafood, consumer preferences, and health topics, among others, and participants will get to prepare—and taste—sustainable seafood dishes under the guidance of expert chefs.

VENUES:

Johnson & Wales University Center for Culinary Excellence
Save The Bay
Johnson & Wales University Culinary Museum

Providence

Agenda Highlights

Interactive Panel Discussion on Sourcing Sustainable Seafood
Chefs, scientists, and suppliers will share their thoughts about seafood sustainability and the social, economic, and environmental issues impacting worldwide seafood sourcing today.

Hands-on Sessions with Haddock, Salmon, and Summer Flounder 
One of the unique aspects of the 2011 Baird Symposium is our ability to offer hands-on sessions where participants can handle and prepare fish species featured in our science program.

Species-Specific Session: Scup vs. Tilapia
Scup (porgy) is a plentiful and sustainable underutilized fish species found throughout New England. This session will focus on the state of the scup fishery and why it is sustainable and include a tasting of scup followed by a side-by-side tasting of scup and tilapia.

Hands-on Interactive Session: A Vertical Tasting of Oysters
This interactive, sensory session will feature a vertical tasting of oysters provided by American Mussel Harvesters Inc., of North Kingstown, R.I. Chefs will describe the sensory aspects of each oyster in the tasting while Perry Raso, owner of Matunuck Oyster Farm and Bill Silkes, owner of American Mussel Harvesters discuss how the specific oyster species are raised and why they are both sustainable and profitable.

Chefs' Panel on Consumer Seafood Perceptions and Preferences
This interactive panel discussion will feature chefs from the fine dining, retail, and manufacturing sectors, and will provide attendees with insights regarding preference, preparation, and consumption at the end of the supply chain.

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION | DOWNLOAD DRAFT AGENDA

Note: The registration fee of $175 includes all meals noted in the agenda. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. For more information, visit the Baird Symposium website or contact Rhode Island Sea Grant at (401) 874-6800.

RI Farm Scavenger Hunt & Pick Your Own ~ May thru October 2011

It's time for the farm stands and more farmers' markets to open, which are enjoyable by themselves. But the RI Fruit Growers Association has created a scavenger hunt to juice things up even more. There's a gameboard with photos to identify. Some special prizes will be awarded to the first people who enter their completed boards. And while you are out at the farm stands, you can pick your own strawberries or other fruit as they ripen. The strawberry plants in my yard are now setting yellowish fruits, and soon they'll be ready for munching. I'm sure the farmers will have fresh strawberries soon.

Wondering how to find out when fruit is available for picking? The RI Fruit Growers Association website has a list of the fruit-growing farms with detailed info about what's grown where and when it's ripe. Click on the links to the fruit growers' own websites for more details. Call ahead if in doubt about open hours and what's in season.

Farm Fresh RI also has an updated list of what is in season and where you can Pick Your Own fruit as well as vegetables. The RI Harvest Calendar is a good place to begin, and you can find more details through the links on the great Farm Fresh RI website.

For instance, today, May 20, on the Farm Fresh RI home page, the following are "What's in Season:"

Edible flowers • Lavender • Lemon Verbena • Sliced + Diced Veggies • Sprouts • full Harvest Calendar...

For details about the Scavenger Hunt, see the Providence Journal 7 to 7 blog post of May 13: Game boards available for scavenger hunt at RI fruit farms. Especially note:

"Organizers urge that families check a farm's operating hours before visiting. Addresses, phone numbers and websites of participating farms are listed on the brochure and in the list of farm stands on the Fruit Growers Association website."

Five-Year Strategic Plan for Rhode Island Agriculture ~ Released May 12, 2011

Those of us who love the farmers' markets may want to skim through the RI Agricultural Partnership 5-year strategic plan that will guide the development of one of Rhode Island's fastest growing economic sectors. It was released at Agriculture Day at the State House yesterday.

A Vision for Agriculture includes all Rhode Islanders. Did you know farms comprise 11% of Rhode Island land? I quote the Vision in full:

"By 2016, we envision a Rhode Island in which:

• Officials and citizens understand the critical importance of farms and farmlands to Rhode Island’s economy, environment, public health, community character and livability;
• State and local governments support and promote agriculture, recognizing that farms are important cultural, recreational and educational centers in addition to small businesses that produce locally grown farm products such as dairy, fibers, fruits, grains, honey and other apicultural products, horticultural and nursery products, livestock, poultry, seafood, turf grass and vegetables;
• A sustainable and well-coordinated farming and food system encourages profitable farm businesses by providing: 
  • A full range of business and technical resources and services for new and existing farmers;
  • Improved state and regional food and farm infrastructure;
  • A secure and affordable land base for agricultural operations;

RI Agriculture Day ~ May 12, 2011

GOVERNOR CHAFEE, URI PRESIDENT DOOLEY, USDA UNDER SECRETARY AVALOS, AND FARMERS TO CELEBRATE RHODE ISLAND AGRICULTURE DAY IN STATE HOUSE FESTIVITIES ON THURSDAY,  MAY 12

Attendees Invited to Enjoy Samples of Rhode Island-Grown Food Products

 

To recognize the importance of the state's $100+ million agriculture industry, the Department of Environmental Management will host Rhode Island Agriculture Day at the State House on Thursday, May 12.

This year’s RI Agriculture Day program will feature a roll-out of RI Agricultural Partnership Five -Year Strategic Plan, and also serve as a platform to discuss new initiatives around state institutional purchasing of locally grown products, fisheries marketing and promotion.  In addition, the event will highlight many ongoing initiatives to maintain the viability of farming in Rhode Island, including locally-produced milk and beef, farmers' markets, and buy local and agri-tourism programs.

Rhode Island Agriculture Day will showcase Rhode Island's agriculture industry and all that it brings to the state. Farming is an integral part of the state's economy and provides a valuable contribution to Rhode Island's open space and quality of life. Beyond fresh produce, nursery stock, and Rhode Island's own Rhody Fresh milk, agriculture contributes to tourism, open space, landscaping businesses, and a variety of food-related industries.  The event will also continue to highlight the statewide “Get Fresh. Buy Local.”campaign.

As part of the Rhode Island Agriculture Day festivities, approximately 50 exhibitors will host displays in the State House Rotunda from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibitors include farms and land trusts, as well as government and non-profit agencies that work with farmers. Coordinated by DEM's Division of Agriculture, the exhibits will highlight Rhode Island agriculture and the many organizations that collectively participate in its viability.

Large Variety of Locally-Grown Foods Available for Sampling

National Farm Bill Reform Rally ~ April 5, 2011

On Tuesday, April 5, concerned citizens around the country are calling on Congress to reform the Farm Bill in 2012.

What is the Farm Bill?  It is the clearest example of special interests distorting American democracy.  Indeed, nearly every major American newspaper and advocacy groups from all sides of the political spectrum, from the Heritage Foundation to the Sierra Club, recognize that the Farm Bill causes widespread damage to America's land, economy, health, culture, and international standing.

Protests are happening in Austin, Boston, Chicago, Ann Arbor, Ithaca, New York; Princeton, New Jersey; Meadville, Pennsylvania; Northfield, Minnesota; Walla Walla, Washington; and Providence, Rhode Island!

Join us in Providence:  Burnside Park (next to Kennedy Plaza) at 4:30-5:30 pm.

Questions?  Please email providencefarmbillreform@gmail.com.

Read more at http://bigagbill.org. Also see FarmBillOne-Pager

Find us on facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=194256927280123