To help ensure the viability of food farming in the state, the 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 Cooperative Extension has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture aimed at providing farmers with the technical assistance and timely information they need to increase production and adopt new sustainable agriculture practices. While the initiative will serve all farms in the state, the project will undertake special outreach efforts to the small-scale farms where assistance is needed most.
鈥淭his grant will help us provide farmers with consulting services and easy access to information to help them with their crop production, marketing, viability issues, and development of new products,鈥� said Ernest Morreira, a 溏心vlog免费B站 Cooperative Extension specialist who will oversee the program in partnership with the R.I. Department of Environmental Management鈥檚 Division of Agriculture and the R.I. Center for Agricultural Promotion and Education. 鈥淚t is a tremendous benefit to the state to keep these small-scale farms in operation.鈥�
The two-year grant will allow 溏心vlog免费B站 to hire a project manager with farming expertise to develop a commercial agriculture technical support system, including consulting services, farm viability assessments, and the formation of farm improvement intervention teams. 鈥淭he new staff member will provide on-the-ground, boots-in-the-field assistance to underserved farmers,鈥� Morreira said.
In addition, an interactive website and listserv will be created for farmers as a communication resource for information and referrals. A toll-free hotline will also be established as another way of answering farmers鈥� questions and solving their problems.
鈥淭here are a number of positive and collaborative initiatives in Rhode Island to maintain and enhance agriculture as a permanent and viable component of the state鈥檚 economy and quality of life,鈥� said Kenneth Ayars, chief of the DEM Division of Agriculture. 鈥淓nhancing extension and technical support services to farmers is vital.鈥�
鈥淭his initiative is part of a growing list of support services for Rhode Island’s farmers,鈥� said Stuart Nunnery, executive director of RICAPE. 鈥淭he interest in the agricultural community to reinvigorate the state鈥檚 agriculture in a variety of ways is very exciting. Meeting farmers鈥� technical support needs is critical and will continue to be a primary focus of our collaboration.鈥�
It is expected that 250 farmers will receive assistance through the program. At the end of two years, the program鈥檚 effectiveness will be evaluated and a recommendation will be made for creation of a permanent program.