Business Support Resources

Are you ready to start or expand a business or do you need help with an existing business? Gather your questions and schedule a FREE interactive virtual appointment with the RI Department of State’s Business Services Division.

Appointments are offered every Tuesday and Thursday morning starting at 8:40AM. You will have the chance to sit down with a member of the Business Services staff to ask questions in a private, virtual one-on-one environment. Use your appointment time to ask questions about business registration, professional licensing, and state and local taxes, as well as help maintaining, reinstating, or closing an existing business.

Creating the support and resources our community deserves to build legal resilience, together.
Farm Commons provides legal workshops, timely resources, and a community for farmers, ranchers, and their service providers. Welcome to your home for farm law!

The Young Farmer Network of Southeastern New England is an organization of farmers based in Providence and serving the surrounding region, including farmers from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. We are a farmer-run network that works towards the viability of new farms by providing opportunities for education and advocacy, and strengthening the social and professional networks between farmers from all backgrounds and ages. Our mission is to support farmers developing socially, ecologically and economically sustainable farm businesses and happy lives by cultivating personal and professional relationships between people of all ages and backgrounds across state borders. At the heart of our programming is a strong social network which supports a resilient community. We aim to create agricultural community that is actively welcoming, and accessible to all people of every age, race, class, farm type, and ability. We encourage growth, development and diversity in all types of agriculture, including food, fiber, and forestry.

NOFA Rhode Island is an organization of farmers, gardeners and consumers working to promote organic farming and land care practices.
Formed in 1990, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island (NOFA/RI) is an organization of farmers, consumers, gardeners and environmentalists working to promote organic farming and land care practices. NOFA/RI fosters a healthy relationship to the natural world through farmer-to-farmer education, advocacy and technical assistance. We work to increase the acres of sustainably and organically managed land and to provide access to local, organic food for all Rhode Islanders. NOFA/RI is affiliated with other NOFA chapters through the NOFA Interstate Council.

The Carrot Project supports the financial viability of farm and food businesses by providing
information, training, skill-building, and access to capital within a comprehensive support
ecosystem. The Carrot Project's programs serve start-up, early-stage, expanding, and
established farm, food, and fishery businesses—from those accessing land for the first time to
those undergoing a farm transition. Services are free for most clients, with a cost-share for
those above asset or income guidelines.
Their services have a proven record of increasing farm profitability. The Carrot Project provides
personalized, one-on-one advising to help clients meet their business goals and improve long-
term viability. Nervous with numbers or have limited experience? Check out their website,
calendar, and newsletter to increase your financial know-how! Additionally, the organization
offers expert guidance in preparing loan or grant applications, securing loans and loan
guarantees, and identifying the most suitable forms of capital for your needs.

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)

Northeast farmers are one of the most innovative and resilient groups in the country. Often, they test new ideas to see what sticks, whether it be new varieties or varying production techniques. Some of these new ideas can qualify for the federal Research and Development (R&D) tax credit.

In today’s blog, we’ll take a look at a recent U.S. Tax Court case that involved a large poultry operation that can shed some light into the R&D tax credit.

Each winter, the Legal Food Hub runs a free webinar series to help inform farmers, food entrepreneurs, and food and farm organizations about important legal topics relevant to their businesses.

Topics Covered:
Small Business Setup & Taxes
Exploring H2A
Farm Property Insurance
Farmers and Lending Law
USDA NAD Appeals: What Farmers and Organizations Need to Know

The Rhode Island Division of Agriculture is collecting information on farm impacts following the recent blizzard.

This survey will help us understand damage, production disruptions, and resource needs so we can advocate for support, identify assistance opportunities, and communicate impacts to state and federal partners.

Please complete this form as soon as possible. You may submit updated information later if needed.