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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM ANNOUNCES FIRST INDUCTEES IN STATE'S AGRICULTURAL HALL OF FAME DURING RI AGRICULTURE DAY FESTIVITIES Rhode Island Agricultural Hall of Fame Six individuals and one cooperative have been chosen as the first inductees into the state's Agriculture Hall of Fame. They include Winfield Tucker of North Kingstown, the late C. Richard Skogley, Ph.D. of the University of Rhode Island, Ken Lagerquist of Seekonk, MA, William Stamp, Jr. of Exeter, the late Aaron Briggs of Foster, the late Aldo Panciera of Westerly, and the Rhode Island Dairy Farms Cooperative. (For details, see attachment.)* The concept of the Agricultural Hall of Fame award is to "recognize and honor those who have made a significant contribution to agriculture in Rhode Island over time," said Kenneth Ayars, Chief of DEM's Division of Agriculture and Resource Marketing. DEM's Agricultural Advisory Committee, a seven-member public (farmer) subcommittee of the Rhode Island Agriculture Council, reviewed the nominations and made final recommendations to Director Sullivan. Farm Viability Grants Out of 24 applications received for farm viability grants, seven grants were awarded by DEM. Recipients include the Rhode Island Farm Bureau, Kids First Rhode Island, Farm Fresh Rhode Island, the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension program, the Rhode Island Center for Agricultural Promotion and Education, the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association, and Trails End Farm. (For details, see attachment.)* The grants will be used to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Rhode Island, and are from the US Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant program. They provide a "unique opportunity to promote diverse products and to educate a new generation of Rhode Islanders" to the benefits of farming and to opportunities in the industry, according to Ayars. Applications were reviewed by DEM's Agriculture Advisory Committee, which made funding recommendations to the department. Rhode Island Agriculture Day Along with Governor Carcieri and Director Sullivan, participants in the Rhode Island Agriculture Day program included Sen. Susan Sosnowski, a South Kingstown vegetable farmer, Sen. Kevin Breene, a West Greenwich dairy farmer, and Dorothy Brayley of Kids First Rhode Island farm to school program. Throughout the day, more than 25 exhibitors set up displays in the State House Rotunda. Several exhibitors offered local food samples, such as stuffed quahaugs from Dave's Marketplace, oysters from the Ocean State Aquaculture Association, johnnycakes from the Kenyon Corn Meal Company, egg sandwiches and Del's lemonade from Little Rhody Foods, and Rhody Fresh milk from the RI Dairy Farm Cooperative. Coordinated by DEM's Division of Agriculture, the exhibits highlighted Rhode Island agriculture and the many organizations that collectively participate in its viability. Rhode Island Agriculture Day showcases Rhode Island's agriculture industry and all that it brings to the state. Rhode Island has 858 farms, mostly family run, which occupy 61,000 acres. Farming is an integral part of the state's economy and provides a valuable contribution to Rhode Island's open space and quality of life. Beyond fresh produce, nursery stock, and Rhode Island's own Rhody Fresh milk, agriculture contributes to tourism, open space, landscaping businesses, and a variety of food-related industries. -30- |
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rev. 6/6/07