|
Agriculture in Rhode Island has changed a lot in the last 25 years. We have seen the conversion of potato fields to turf, the emergence of multi-crop farming as the mainstay vs. the exception. We have seen the transformation of the family farm to the family farm enterprise. We have seen our aquaculture industry make great strides toward increased size and production. We have seen our nursery and horticulture industry come to full bloom representing over 66% of the agriculture value in our state. We have seen the transformation of our farms from wholesalers to astute retailers, featuring Pick-Your-Own of all types of crops. We have seen our farmers utilize agri-tourism concepts along with dramatic increases in farmers markets, roadside stands and other forms of direct marketing. The last 25 years have probably produced more dramatic changes in our state’s agriculture industry than any other preceding period.
— RI DEM Division of Agriculture
Rhode Island Agricultural Council objectives:
- To develop farming, forestry and allied interests
- To improve rural life and rural home
- To coordinate agriculture, trade and industry
LEARN MORE
RIAC is open to all Rhode Island agricultural and nature-based organizations and welcomes membership. Please contact us for more information.
Get Fresh. Buy Local. is a new statewide Rhode Island-grown campaign to promote awareness of and interest in buying RI-grown specialty crops. This campaign launched at the RI Agriculture Day 2009 festivities at the State House on Tuesday, May 5, 2009. This exciting new effort is made possible by way of a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) the RI Department of Environmental Management Division of Agriculture received in 2008.
|
