PROVIDENCE – As part of her continued efforts to grow Rhode Island's green economy, Governor Raimondo will join the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and partners next week to mark the 17th anniversary of Agriculture Day in Rhode Island; as part of the event, over $210,000 in grants to local farmers and community groups will be announced.
WHERE: Governor's State Room Rhode Island State House Providence, Rhode Island
WHEN: Wednesday, May 30, 2018 | 2:30 p.m.
WHO: Governor Gina Raimondo Senator Susan Sosnowski DEM Director Janet Coit Alexandra LaPrise, Rhody Fresh Julius Kolawole, African Alliance of RI Andrew Schiff, Rhode Island Food Bank
Increasingly, Rhode Island's local agriculture and food sectors are cited as areas ripe for innovation and growth. Rhode Island's green industries account for more than 15,000 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion to the economy; the state's food system supports another 60,000 jobs and more than 7,000 businesses. The state is increasingly a destination for food tourism and food-related business incubation. Now in its fifth year, the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act grant program supports efforts to strengthen these vital sectors of the economy and assist small or beginning farmers and local seafood businesses to market their products.
As part of Agriculture Day festivities, local farmers, food businesses, and community groups will provide free food samples and information about their work; displays will be set up around the State House Rotunda from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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.