PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Environmental Management said last week it is seeking proposals to farm certain parcels of state land. more

BOSTON – The Westport Land Conservation Trust last month received an $85,000 grant to protect 32.5 acres of land tied to Noquochoke River Conservation Project. more

Ethanol’s discount to gasoline futures strengthened to the narrowest level in three weeks after a government report showed that corn stockpiles in the U.S. were lower than analysts expected. more

Lots of Hope, an environmental initiative to transform vacant city-owned lots in Providence into urban farms, was awarded a combined $100,000 by The Rhode Island Foundation and Florida-based Local Sustainability Matching Fund. more

Ken Ayars, chief of the R.I. Department of Environmental Management’s Division of Agriculture, was recently honored with the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association’s Award of Merit. The award was presented during the organization’s annual trade show and seminar held on Jan. 17 at the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences. Ayars, who has worked for DEM’s Division of Agriculture since 1987, has collaborated with RINLA on policy issues and solutions for green-related industry issues and needs. He was also issued a citation from the Rhode Island House of Representatives in recognition of the RINLA merit award, and for providing outstanding service to the state’s horticultural, agricultural and landscape communities. Ayars holds bachelor’s degrees in zoology, agriculture and resource technology, in addition to a master’s degree in plant sciences from the University of Rhode Island. more

There are $150,000 of farm viability grant funds available to Rhode Island farmers from the R.I. Department of Environmental Management to help “enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops” grown in the Ocean State. more

A year-and-a-half after the first residents moved in, the wind turbine is finally up and spinning at Sandywoods Farm in Tiverton. more

When Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee put pen to paper and signed the Agriculture and Seafood Act into law on April 26 – Rhode Island Agriculture Day – he changed the way the R.I. Department of Environmental Management operates. more

(Updated, 2 p.m.) In a move that represents a “major re-investment in the local economy,” Alex and Ani LLC has purchased Sakonnet Vineyards in Little Compton, the jewelry designer announced Thursday. more

Portsmouth-based Escobar Farm has been named Rhode Island’s 2012 Outstanding Dairy Farm of the Year by the Rhode Island Green Pastures Committee, the R.I. Department of Environmental Management announced Thursday. more