           Home > News > News Item |
||||||||||||||||||
 |
News Advisory RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
GOVERNOR CARCIERI, DEM, AND FARMERS TO CELEBRATE RHODE ISLAND AGRICULTURE DAY IN STATE HOUSE FESTIVITIES ON MAY 6 Rhode Island Agriculture Day will showcase Rhode Island's agriculture industry and all that it brings to the state. 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. As part of the Rhode Island Agriculture Day festivities, 34 exhibitors will host displays in the State House Rotunda from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibitors include farms and land trusts, as well as government and non-profit agencies that work with farmers. Coordinated by DEM's Division of Agriculture, the exhibits will highlight Rhode Island agriculture and the many organizations that collectively participate in its viability. Large Variety of Locally-Grown Foods Available for Sampling Several exhibitors will offer food samples, such as stuffed quahogs from Dave's Marketplace, oysters from the Ocean State Aquaculture Association, johnnycakes from the Kenyon Corn Meal Company, egg sandwiches and Del's liquid lemonade from Little Rhody Foods, Rhody Fresh milk from the RI Dairy Farms Cooperative, and Arruda Dairy's flavored milk and cookies from the RI State Grange. Also, maple syrup from Charlie's Sugarhouse in Greene, chocolate candy apples from Jaswell's Farm in Smithfield, fudge from Confreda Farms and Greenhouse in Cranston, Cabot Cheese from Agri-Mark, hot sauce and dips from Sauce on the Side Productions in Exeter, and honey from the RI Beekeepers Association will be available for sampling. Brochures and information on local vineyards and wine tasting events will be available from the RI Vineyards Association. Rhode Island has 858 farms, mostly family run, which occupy 61,000 acres. In a national survey in recent years, Rhode Island was ranked number two in the country for direct marketing sales of fruits and vegetables from farms to consumers, on a per farm basis. Rhode Island Agriculture Day will highlight many ongoing initiatives to maintain the viability of farming in Rhode Island, including locally-produced milk and wool blankets, farmers' markets, and agri-tourism programs. The Agriculture Day speaking program will begin at 2 p.m. in the Governor's State Room, and the exhibits will be on display through much of the day in the State House Rotunda. Along with Governor Carcieri, participants in the program will include DEM Director W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D., Scott Wolf, executive director of GrowSmart, Rhode Island, West Greenwich dairy farmer and Senator Kevin Breene, and Senator Leonidas Raptakis, vice chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture. -30- |
|||||||||||||||||
For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer