Our Work

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

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
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
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
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
Starting a RI Farmers Market
Farm Fresh RI

STARTING A FARMERS MARKET IN RI

Successful markets have deep community roots and offer a thriving marketplace for farmers and eaters. There are many details to consider before starting a new farmers market. Below you will find resources to guide you through the planning process.

The following information on starting a new farmers market is brought to you in partnership between Farm Fresh RI and the USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program

Farmer/Grower
Support Type :

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

Languages :

English

Land & Sea Together
Land & Sea Together

Land & Sea Together is building a network of services and opportunities to reduce stress for fisheries, forestry, and farming (FFF) enterprises, workers, and their families in Rhode Island.

Land & Sea Together is a USDA Grant funded program through RI-DEM and implemented by the Center for Mediation and Collaboration RI. We have pulled together over 25 different organizational partners across the state to build a network of support for the health and well-being of the Farming, Fisheries, and Forestry communities in Rhode Island.
What kind of help can I receive?

A community of a statewide industry leaders ready to help you through a hard time
Confidential support with a RI-based Employee Assistance Agency (EAP).

Consultation for legal, financial, eldercare, childcare, nutrition, career, and other resources
Qualified referrals to the most effective resources in terms of expertise, location, cost and availability
Access to up to 3 free counseling sessions with a RI-based, licensed, masters level clinician (you and your family)

Farmer/GrowerFisher
Support Type :

Funding, Training, Advising/Help, Legal Information & Assistance

Languages :

English

Carrot Project
Carrot Project

Vision
We envision resilient farm and food system, where successful farms and agricultural businesses are increasing in number and diversity, and are contributing to New England’s economic, environmental, and social well-being.
Mission
We support agricultural businesses securing their futures by breaking down financial barriers, and building their path to sustainability. We do this as business advisors and through education, advocacy, and research.

Farmer/Grower
Support Type :

Training, Advising/Help, Events/Networking Opportunities

Languages :

English

Want to share these results? Click the button below to copy this web page address and paste it into your email.

Want to list your event or resource for food businesses? Please fill out this form.

We are here to help!

We know there are a lot of options here! It might be hard to figure out which ones are best for you. 
Please contact us using this form and a member of our team will get back to you.




    Special thanks to our sponsors