The Council scored a significant legislative win by ensuring that state funds for farmland preservation were included in a $53 million Green Bond, which Rhode Island voters passed in November 2024. The Council and other organizations lobbied the General Assembly to include a $5 million investment in the Agricultural Lands Preservation Commission (ALPC), which was created in 1981 to preserve the state’s fast vanishing farmland.
The Council also launched a multi-year program to support Rhode Island’s small, beginning, and traditionally underserved farmers with business planning, marketing skills, and one-to-one coaching. The multi-year program is funded by a $738,00 grant from the USDA through its Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. The Council is partnering on the effort with the African Alliance of RI, the Carrot Project, the RI Association of Conservation Districts, Farm Credit East, Young Farming Network, and the Sankofa Program of the West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation. Rhode Island’s grant is one of 45 to be awarded nationwide.
“Local farms are critical to our state’s food security and economy, now and in the future. We need our beginning farmers to grow and thrive. This critical investment will go a long way to building a more just and self-reliant local food system. We and our partners are excited to start doing this innovative and important work together,” said Nessa Richman, RIFPC executive director.