Agriculture and Forestry

In Providence County, farmers and forest land owners care about the quality of our water and soil resources. The Northern Conservation District (NRICD) provides assistance to them through the Farm, Forest and Open Space Program, and financial and technical assistance through our partners at the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Many farmers and forest land owners are eligible for USDA-NRCS programs that provide free technical assistance and funding for implementing conservation practices on their land. If you are interested in more information, please check out the Healthy Lands RI website, or contact Kate Sayles or Cassius Spears.

Contact Information
Sam Thibault, Land Conservation Program Manager
sthibault.nricd@gmail.com

Cassius Spears, District Conservationist, USDA-NRCS
(401) 822-8833

Farm Conservation Planning
Are you interested in placing your farm in the Farm, Forest, and Open Space current use tax program? NRICD currently has funding to write farm conservation plans for eligible land owners free of charge. We can also answer your questions about the farm portion of the program, and walk you through the process of completing an application.

To learn more or start the process, contact Sam Thibault, Land Conservation Program Manager:
sthibault.nricd@gmail.com

Open Space Mapping Services
If you are applying for the Open Space portion of the Farm, Forest, and Open Space current use tax program, your tax assessor will require a set of maps showing the various soil types you have on your property. NRICD is able to provide these maps on a fee-for-service basis. Mapping services cost $60/hour, with typical properties taking 1-2 hours to complete.

For more information to request this service, please contact Sam Thibault, Land Conservation Program Manager:
sthibault.nricd@gmail.com

Resources
Below you will find the links to several resources that will help you with your Agriculture or Forestry needs. Please email Sam Thibault, Land Conservation Program Manager, if you would like more information on any of your resource needs:
sthibault.nricd@gmail.com

FFOS — Farms, Forest and Open Space Program: A Citizen's Guide (application for FFOS)
Click Here
A Farmer’s Guide to Employment Laws in Rhode Island
Click Here
A Guide to Farming in Rhode Island
A wealth of information on finding land, zoning, insurance, taxes, business plans, soil testing, water conservation, and much more!
Click Here
Agricultural Producer Survey
If you are a farmer, please take our survey so that we can better serve you!
Click Here
Composting Workshop
The Northern RI Conservation District led a composting workshop at a Scituate Conservation Commission Annual Meeting. Below are links to the resources provided at the workshop. For any questions, please contact Kate Sayles.
Composting Guide
Composting Resources
Farm Equipment Needs & Solutions for Southern New England
Click Here
Extending The Growing Season Workshop
Workshop References
Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Guidance Documents and Planning Tools
Click Here
Conservation Farming in the Scituate Reservoir Watershed Bulletins
The 2012 theme for the Scituate Reservoir Watershed Education Program is, "Conservation Farmers are Good Neighbors." We are providing farmers with some new information on farming resources, the Scituate Reservoir Watershed, and the benefits of conservation farming. We are bringing our message to farmers, students, new residents to the Scituate Reservoir Watershed community, homeowners, businesses, legislators, community leaders and churches within the watershed. If you are interested in learning more about our program, please contact Sam Thibault, Land Conservation Program Manager: sthibault.nricd@gmail.com
If you are interested in checking out our "Conservation Farming in the Scituate Watershed" newsletters, please see the links below:
January 2012: Overview: What is a Watershed?
January 2012: Nutrients, Water Quality and Rhode Island's Farms
June 2012: Pest Management: Prevention & Control of Pests on Your Farm
October 2012: Composting: Don't Treat Your Soil Like Dirt!
Winter Workshop Presentations
Gypsy Moths: Dr. Jeff Ward, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
RI Forest Stewardship Program
Oak Mortality: USDA NRCS and Conservation District Resources
Photographic Guide To Crown Condition Of Oaks: Gottschalk
Keeping Livestock: Protecting Water Resources and Health
Livestock Fact Sheets and Self-Assessment Worksheets
Click Here
USDA-NRCS Programs
Click Here

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
High Tunnels
Organic Initiative
On-Farm Energy Initiative
RI Department of Environmental Management's Division of Agriculture
Click Here
RI Department of Environmental Management's Division of Forest Environment
Click Here
Rhode Island Forest Conservators Organization (RIFCO)
Click Here
Taxes and USDA Programs | Farmers.gov
Click Here

Agriculture & Forestry

Private Woodland in Foster

Corduroy Crossing on a Forest Trail

Private Woodland in Foster

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