DEM: $380K in grants available to help farmers, food partners

JANET L. COIT, director of the state Department of Environmental Management, said, “Increasingly, local food and agriculture are hotbeds for innovation and entrepreneurship.” / PBN FILE PHOTO

PROVIDENCE – The state Department of Environment Management is making $380,000 in grant funding available to help local farmers and food partners grow their businesses.
The funding is being made available through the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act, and Farm Viability programs.
“Increasingly, local food and agriculture are hotbeds for innovation and entrepreneurship – spurred on by a growing awareness of the benefits of eating fresh, locally-grown food and being connected to a local farmer, nursery or fisherman. We’re proud to invest in the continued growth of local food and green industries and to support the many new businesses, working families and innovative initiatives funded under these programs,” DEM Director Janet L. Coit said in a statement.

Through its partnership with the Rhode Island Food Policy Council, the LASA grant program provides up to $20,000 awards to new and small farmers, producer groups and nonprofits to support growth and sustainability of Rhode Island’s farming, aquaculture and seafood industries. A total of $230,000 is available.
The LASA program funds program and capital projects.
For LASA grant guidelines and to apply, click HERE. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 16. Applications also may be mailed or hand-delivered to DEM Division of Agriculture, Room 370, 235 Promenade St., Providence, RI, 02908 by 4 p.m. on Feb. 16; applying online is strongly encouraged, however. Awards will be announced as part of the Rhode Island Agriculture Day held each spring.
The Farm Viability Grant Program, made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, supports efforts to increase specialty crop production and grow the marketplace for these crops in Rhode Island. The USDA said specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts and nursery crops, including floriculture and turf grass.
Initiatives that benefit a sole commercial product or provide a profit to a single individual or group will not be considered. Single entities are encouraged to participate as project partners. For this round, $150,000 is available in grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, according to DEM.
For information on the Farm Viability Grant Program, visit rigrown.ri.gov. Applications accompanied by a W9 form should be mailed to DEM Division of Agriculture, Room 370, 235 Promenade St., Providence, RI, 02908, and postmarked no later than March 31.

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