Resources

Business Support

If you operate a Rhode Island food business, we’re here to help! We are working to provide farmers, growers, fishers, and aquaculture farmers and others in the food system with access to the information and resources you need to grow and thrive.
We do our best to check the resources here for accuracy and timeliness, but some inaccurate information may slip by us. Make sure to confirm what you find directly from the resource providers.

If you find anything that is inaccurate, or if part or all of this website is not accessible to you for any reason, please contact Josh at josh@rifoodcouncil.org.

What kind of support do you need?

User Type
Support Type(s)
Support Type(s)

Events and Resources

Southern Rhode Island Conservation District
Southern Rhode Island Conservation District

SRICD is a quasi-public not for profit corporation of the State dedicated to conserving the natural resources of Washington and Kent County, Rhode Island. We provide no cost assistance with applications for USDA NRCS federal funding as well as technical assistance with conservation needs.
We provide Open Space maps for a small fee and by-appointment assistance with your Farm Designation tax program application, as well as conservation education programs in your local school.
All services are available on site at our office, at your home, or at a public space convenient to you. Translated materials and interpreted services are available in Spanish, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Hmong, and other languages but may require advance notice. Please give us a call for help connecting with local farming, forest management, and conservation resources. We look forward to serving you!

Farmer/Grower
Support Type :

Funding, Training, Advising/Help, Events/Networking Opportunities, Licenses, Permits, Regulations & Taxes

Languages :

English, Spanish, Hmong, Kirundi/Kinyarwanda

ADA compliant property
Application Assistance Available
Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District
Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District

ERICD is a quasi-public not for profit organization dedicated to conserving the natural resources of Bristol and Newport Counties, Rhode Island. We provide no cost assistance with applications for USDA NRCS federal funding as well as technical assistance with conservation needs. We also provide Open Space maps for a small fee and by-appointment assistance with your Farm Designation tax program application, as well as conservation education programs in your local school. Though our current property is not ADA accessible, all services are available on site at your home or at a public space convenient to you. Translated materials and interpreted services are available in Spanish, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Hmong, and other languages but may require advance notice. Please give us a call for help connecting with local farming, forest management, and conservation resources. We look forward to serving you!

Farmer/Grower
Support Type :

Advising/Help, Events/Networking Opportunities, Licenses, Permits, Regulations & Taxes

Languages :

English, Spanish, Hmong, Kirundi/Kinyarwanda

LGBTQ safe space
Application Assistance Available
Free Legal Assistance
Legal Food Hub

The Legal Food Hub is a free service that connects eligible food farmers, food entrepreneurs, and food/farm organizations in New England to volunteer attorneys for free legal assistance. Legal issues we help with include zoning, land leases, real estate transactions, intellectual property, entity formation, estate planning, contract review, disputes, and more! There are no limits on how often you can use our services as long as you are eligible (eligibility guidelines are available on our website).

Farmer/GrowerAquacultureFisher
Support Type :

Legal Information & Assistance

Languages :

English, Other (Fill in below)

Application Assistance Available
Business Basics: Plan for Success
RI Department of State Business Services Division

The RI Department of State Business Services Division maintains Rhode Island’s business registry. While we record new business formations and ongoing business registration activity, we also provide thoughtful guidance and comprehensive services to those looking to start and maintain a business or non-profit in Rhode Island.

Explore Business Basics to learn how to create a comprehensive business plan, choose a unique business name, choose a legal structure, hire employees, and choose a location to ensure success from day one. You can also find a list of support resources from our partners, including start-up assistance, loan application preparation, marketing and brand building, legal counseling, and much more.

Farmer/GrowerAquacultureFisher
Support Type :

Licenses, Permits, Regulations & Taxes

Languages :

English, Spanish

Application Assistance Available
Northern Rhode Island Conservation District
Northern Rhode Island Conservation District

NRICD is a quasi-public not for profit organization dedicated to conserving the natural resources of Providence County, Rhode Island. We provide no cost assistance with applications for USDA NRCS federal funding as well as technical assistance with conservation needs. We also provide Open Space maps for a small fee and by-appointment assistance with your Farm Designation tax program application, as well as conservation education programs in your local school. Though our current property is not ADA accessible, all services are available on site at your home or at a public space convenient to you. Translated materials and interpreted services are available in Spanish, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Hmong, and other languages but may require advance notice. Please give us a call for help connecting with local farming, forest management, and conservation resources. We look forward to serving you!

Farmer/Grower
Support Type :

Funding, Advising/Help, Events/Networking Opportunities, Licenses, Permits, Regulations & Taxes

Languages :

English

LGBTQ safe space
Application Assistance Available
RI Farm, Forest, Open Space Act (FFOS)
Southern Rhode Island Conservation District

Application assistance and Farm Conservation Plans for any property owner in the Farm Forest and Open Space Program in Washington and Kent County. SRICD is a quasi-public not for profit corporation of the State dedicated to conserving the natural resources of Washington and Kent County, Rhode Island. We provide no cost assistance with applications for USDA NRCS federal funding as well as technical assistance with conservation needs.
We provide Open Space maps for a small fee and by-appointment assistance with your Farm Designation tax program application, as well as conservation education programs in your local school.
All services are available on site at our office, at your home, or at a public space convenient to you. Translated materials and interpreted services are available in Spanish, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Hmong, and other languages but may require advance notice. Please give us a call for help connecting with local farming, forest management, and conservation resources. We look forward to serving you!

Farmer/Grower
Support Type :

Licenses, Permits, Regulations & Taxes

Languages :

English, Spanish, Hmong, Kirundi/Kinyarwanda

ADA compliant property
Application Assistance Available
Farm Profitability Strategies for Growers
03/12/2026 - 03/18/2026
The Carrot Project

Join us on March 17, 12-1 pm on Zoom for an informative webinar focused on practical strategies to improve farm profitability. A panel of industry experts will share financial planning tools, real-world scaling insights, and approaches to product and market diversification that support sustainable farm business growth.

Farmer/Grower
Support Type :

Advising/Help, Events/Networking Opportunities

Languages :

English

POV with SEG: Impact Requires Revenue
03/12/2026 - 03/25/2026
Social Enterprise Greenhouse

March 24th 4 PM – 5:30 PM at Social Enterprise Greenhouse Hub
Join SEG for the sixth live recording of POV with SEG and be part of the conversation. In this episode, hear from SEG’s founders as they share reflections on the inspiration behind SEG’s origin, the early vision for blending mission and revenue, and the lessons that continue to guide our approach today. Guests will also hear from a real-world social enterprise success story: Amos House: More Than a Meal, a catering social enterprise that fuels the organization’s mission while expanding its impact.

Support Type :

Events/Networking Opportunities

Languages :

English

ADA compliant property
2026 Impact Business Showcase
03/12/2026 - 04/10/2026
Social Enterprise Greenhouse

April 9th 6 PM – 9 PM at Farm Fresh RI
Celebrate 25 years of SEG supporting entrepreneurs across Rhode Island! Join SEG and the community for an evening of local food, drinks, networking, and inspiring stories from mission-driven businesses. Your ticket directly supports programs that help entrepreneurs grow, scale, and strengthen the social enterprise ecosystem.

Support Type :

Events/Networking

Languages :

English

ADA compliant property
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