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Raimondo, DEM, Partners Announce Over $210,000 In Grants To Local Food Businesses

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), along with its partners, today awarded over $210,000 to 21 local food businesses as part of its annual Agriculture “Ag” Day celebration at the State House. The awards, funded under the Local Agriculture & Seafood Act (LASA) grant program, help new and existing small businesses and food initiatives prosper in Rhode Island.

“Agriculture Day shines a bright light on Rhode Island’s vibrant food scene and rich agricultural and fishing heritage,” said Governor Gina Raimondo. “Today’s Local Agriculture and Seafood Act grants will help nurture new food ventures and grow our state’s green economy. I congratulate all grant recipients and look forward to celebrating the success of these outstanding initiatives.”

Now in its fifth year, LASA has provided over $1.1 million – through grants up to $20,000 – to support growth of Rhode Island’s local food economy. The state’s food scene is often cited as an area of economic strength ripe for innovation and growth. Already, the local food industry supports 60,000 jobs, and the state’s green industries account for more than 15,000 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion to the economy annually.

“I’m thrilled to award these grants to help farmers, fishers and food businesses start or expand their operations in Rhode Island,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Our state has a vibrant food scene and rich agricultural and fishing heritage, and I look forward to the initiatives and businesses this latest grant round will help inspire.”

“The LASA program has inspired Rhode Island’s agriculture and seafood businesses to innovate and grow,” said Nessa Richman, Network Director for the RI Food Policy Council. “Results from the first comprehensive evaluation of the program show impacts in terms of new product, new markets, increased sales, jobs created, and more that exceed expectations. Funds like this are a key part of the infrastructure for a local food economy.”

The 2018 LASA grant awards include:

African Alliance of RI, Providence/Johnston, $15,140: To support community garden/farm efforts though purchase of equipment/supplies and a part-time farm manager

Carl Berg, Little Compton, $5,500: To improve aquaculture production and markets for Sakonnet-grown shellfish

Ester & Joel Bishop, Tiverton, $7,000: To purchase a mobile processing unit for poultry

Blackstone Bees, LLC, Smithfield, $10,000: To create a new, sizeable apiary

Deep Roots Farm, Chepachet, $5,794: To purchase two grain bins to hold chicken and pig feed, bulk feeders, and equipment to move grain around the farm

Eating with the Ecosystem, Statewide, $12,000: To support outreach and marketing of local seafood

Garman Farm, Newport, $6,150: To construct a wood-framed shed for equipment storage/wash-and-pack line

Herb & Forage LLC, North Kingstown, $8,086: To construct a facility for safe washing and storage

Hope’s Harvest RI, Statewide, $9,000: To support farmer participation in farm gleaning project

Robert F.D. Payne, Exeter, $18,200: To provide seed money for the South County Sustainable Tool Library

Rachel Playe, Providence, $12,825: To build a drying shed for medicinal herbs

Rhode Island Land Access Work Group, Statewide, $18,000: To support the organization’s farm succession school and farm match program, and produce three RI farm “success stories”

Joel Russell, Hopkinton, $7,000: For contracted labor to design and install a public water system on the farm property

Sanctuary Herbs of Providence, Providence, $6,500: For purchase of a tea-bagging machine to help further develop market for local tea in Rhode Island while working with refugee farmers

Skinny Dip Farm, Little Compton, $9,982: To purchase a walk-in cooler, thermometer, and hydrometer

Sweet Pea Farm, Charlestown, $6,115: To construct a wash station and a walk-in cooler

Urban Greens Food Co-op, Providence, $19,500: To support development of kitchen to help increase capacity for processing and use of local ingredients

Samantha Vallone & William Morin, Chepachet, $6,025: To construct a wash-and-pack station and expand cold storage capacity

Westbay Community Action/Westbay Farm, Warwick, $12,200: To build a root cellar to expand capacity of community farm

Nathaniel Wood & Adam Graffunder, Johnston, $6,940: For purchase of farming equipment to increase the efficiency of the no-till, bio-intensive farming operation at Snake Den Farm

Young Farmer Network, Statewide, $11,140: To support education programming and network development for young farmers in Rhode Island

In partnership with the Rhode Island Food Policy Council, LASA is funded by the state with generous support from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, the Henry P. Kendall Foundation, and the Rhode Island Foundation. In addition to the above grant awards, $20,000 is directed to DEM and the Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative to support the state’s local seafood campaign, RI Seafood. Local seafood is poised to spur the next wave of food-based economic growth. Last year, more than 100 million pounds of seafood arrived at a local port, with an export value over $1 billion.

As part of Ag Day festivities, local farmers, food businesses, and community groups are set up around the State House Rotunda from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today and offer free food samples and information about their work. For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.

RISBJ Staff | May 30, 2018

11th Annual Classic Car Show to Help Warwick’s Homeless Companion Animals

The 11^th Annual “Cause for Paws” Classic Car Show will take place on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 171 Service Place, located at 171 Service Rd. (off Jefferson Blvd.), Warwick, RI 02886.

Rain date is Sunday, July 15, 2018.

Antique Cars, Classic Cars to 1992, Hot Rods, Muscle Cars and all-year Corvettes are invited to exhibit. Vehicle registration is from 9 AM to 12 PM, with free goody bags and commemorative Dash Plaques to the first 100 entries.

The entry fee is $15.00 per car. Trophies will be awarded at 2 PM to the top 50 cars, as voted by participants, including Best of Show, People’s Choice and Best Club Participation.

Free admission for spectators.

Enjoy oldies music by Cruisin’ Bruce Palmer.

There will be door prizes and raffles, including a 50/50 raffle.

Bring a can of wet dog food or wet cat food for the shelter animals and receive an additional door prize ticket.

Food and refreshments will be available.

For more information, please call Show Director Ruth Napolitano at 401-480-9769 or email Shelterhelp@FriendsRI.org

https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfTheWarwickAnimalShelter

Produced by Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that will use car show proceeds to benefit the homeless cats and dogs at the Warwick Animal Shelter.

Donations are tax-deductible, as allowable by law.

RISBJ Staff | May 30, 2018

VIEW OLDEST HOME IN RHODE ISLAND TO SEEK LEED PLATINUM CERTIFICATION

Contact: Nancy Thomas, Tapestry Communications, 401-447-8182, nthomas@tapestrycommunications.com

The oldest home in Rhode Island to seek LEED Platinum certification will be open to the general public, pre-certification, for unique, limited time educational tours that will focus on all the sustainable features of this private residence along with a brief discussion on the LEED Certification program.

Tours will take place on four consecutive weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, beginning on Saturday, May 26th at 10am and again at noon. The home is at 509 Wayland Avenue, on the East Side of Providence. It is a project of Richard Rodi, LEED AP BD+C, Homes, President of ClearPoint Builders, Inc., Sustainable Design & Build Spets, of Cranston.

The educational tours include both inside and outside home building features and are at 10am and noon on Saturdays – May 26 and 27, June 2 and 3, June 9 and 10, and June 16 and 17.

LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and is a program of the U.S. Green Building Council which is committed to a sustainable, prosperous future through LEED, the leading program for green buildings and communities worldwide. It includes a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods that aims to help building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently.

Rodi said, “We registered the project with LEED in June of 2015, with no time constraints, and began an adventure in the rebuilding of a 100-year old home to create the most energy efficient, healthy, environmentally friendly high performance home on the East Side, which was obviously the big challenge. 509 Wayland Avewas specifically chosen for its location on the historic East Side of Providence. A quaint Dutch Colonial, built in 1923 on a lot in that is known as Freeman Plat, the neighborhood is the oldest in Providence, with dense development, and walking distance to all community services, open spaces and public transportation, all LEED ideals. It is our goal to achieve Platinum certification in June of this year.”

Tours are free and open to the public; no RSVP is needed. Tours are approximately 1 to 1/2 hours. For more information on LEED, go to new.usgbc.org/leed. To see more on the home, go to 509wayland.com. To contact Richard Rodi, email ClearPointBuilders@gmail.comor call (401) 301-4714.

RISBJ Staff | May 30, 2018

The Weekly BUZZ…

The Weekly BUZZ…

Need Space?
We are currently building out 3 spaces that should be ready by July 1st and aren’t rented out yet! They are ground level, around back & next door to The Hive. There are two private offices that will be $325 per month and one larger space that is $500 per month (*we are also thinking about making this space two small offices at $300 each?) All require a minimum one year lease. Reach out if you’re interested!

Events next week:
Next Tuesday, June 5th from 5:30-7:00 at Sonoma Bistro & Wine Bar, AMP-RI is hosting ‘The Brand Is Me” with Guest Speaker, Katie McDonald. For more info and to register, click here.

Is Coworking for you?
Do you work at home? Do you work out of cafes like Starbucks or Panera Bread? Come by The Hive RI anytime from 9-5, Monday through Friday, & try out working ‘alone together’ in a space that isn’t a coffee shop or a restaurant but still has that same kind of feel. We have couches, chairs, tables and desks, internet connection. We won’t charge you for the first time or two. It’s not for everyone but it’s perfect for some. Email Tuni, a.k.a. ‘The Queen Bee’, if you have any questions… tunischartner@gmail.com.

Looking for a new place to work?
Here at The Hive RI we have the open coworking option (which we explain above) available at $100 per month. A great option whether you just want it a couple/few days a month or 5 days a week!

If you’d like to come meet with us and get on the list please let us know. Check out our available spaces and if you’re interested please call Mike at 401-255-7413 or email Mike: advanprop@aol.com or Tuni: tunischartner@gmail.com.

The Mill at Lafayette:
Check out the rest of our amazing businesses and community members here: business directory.

Be social:
If you haven’t already, be sure to ‘like’ and visit our Fb page to keep up on the day to day musings and goings on here in The Hive RI coworking space, as well as throughout our mill and local communities!

Have a fabulous week,
Tuni, Mike & Larry

RISBJ Staff | May 30, 2018

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