Project was Funded by a DEM Farm Viability Grant
PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that "Harvesting Rhode Island," a five-part pilot television series promoting Rhode Island-grown specialty crops, will air on RI PBS beginning this Sunday, March 22. Funding for the project was provided through a $35,000 farm viability grant from DEM to Alex Caserta, executive producer of the series. Caserta developed the series in cooperation with RI PBS and the RI Nursery and Landscape Association to promote Rhode Island specialty crop growers and educate consumers about locally-grown specialty crops.
"Be sure to tune in and watch Harvesting Rhode Island on RI PBS," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "This informative series brings viewers on location to see the farms, meet the farmers, and hear them talk about food cultivation and what it takes to grow the fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and nursery crops that are in demand by Rhode Island consumers."
Harvesting Rhode Island explains how farmers have had to balance the traditional approaches that were handed down to them with the variable realities of today's business climate. In the latter part of the 20th century, local wholesale markets began to shrink due to large retailers and national distribution systems. As a result, growers increased their direct marketing through on-site retail stands, pick-your-own programs, farmers markets, and selling through local retailers. This direct approach has, in turn, stimulated diversification to satisfy the needs and tastes of consumers and their interest in purchasing locally-harvested products.
DEM's Division of Agriculture oversees or supports numerous efforts designed to maintain the viability of farming in Rhode Island, including locally-produced milk, meats and locally-harvested seafood, farmers' markets, and buy local programs. To date, DEM has awarded more than $1.8 million in farm viability grants for projects that will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Rhode Island. The funds are from the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Specialty crops are defined by this federally-supported program as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops including floriculture and turf grass production.
"This series will help strengthen markets for specialty crops and help sustain the livelihood of Rhode Island farmers, so it's a win-win for consumers and farmers alike," Director Coit added.
Episodes will air two at a time in the ongoing series, Rhode Island Stories, Sundays at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., beginning March 22. The five episodes will air as follows:
? Farm to Table - Owners Desi and Eric Wolf of Maple Dell Farm in Foster also own Loie Fuller's restaurant in Providence, established in 2007. Some of the local ingredients they use come from the Rhode Island Mushroom Co. in Kingston, established in 2011 and owned by Mike Hallock and Bob Di Pietro. Rhode Island PBS, 3/22/2015 @ 6:00 PM Rhode Island PBS, 3/28/2015 @ 11:00 PM LEARN, 3/24/2015 @ 8:00 PM
? Grape Expectations - Carolyn's Sakonnet Vineyards is the oldest vineyard in New England, located in Little Compton, and owned by Carolyn Rafaelian. Greenvale Vineyards is located in Portsmouth along the Sakonnet River, a historic farm owned by Nancy Parker Wilson. The farm was established in 1863 and vineyards in 1982. Rhode Island PBS, 3/22/2015 @ 6:30 PM Rhode Island PBS, 3/28/2015 @ 11:30 PM LEARN, 3/24/2015 @ 8:30 PM
? Farming Old, Farming New- Wayne Salisbury is the fifth generation owner of Salisbury Farm in Johnston, growing a wide selection of products. Established in 1860, Big Train Farm is owned by John Kenny and leases the land from Urban Edge Farm located in Cranston. Rhode Island PBS, 3/29/2015 @ 6:00 PM Rhode Island PBS, 4/4/2015 @ 11:00 PM LEARN, 3/31/2015 @ 8:00 PM
? A Tale of Three Nurseries- Portsmouth Nursery, located in Portsmouth, is a fourth generation business. Owners Jean and Steve Cotta's relatives emigrated from Portugal. Their farm was established in the late 1800s and is one of the oldest nurseries in the country. Rhode Island Nurseries in Middletown is owned by 4th generation Bruce Vanicek and was established in 1885. His relatives migrated from Czechoslovakia. Hoogendoorn Nurseries, established in Middletown in 1921, is owned by second generation Dixon and Victor Hoogendoorn, whose parents emigrated from Holland. Rhode Island PBS, 3/29/2015 @ 6:30 PM Rhode Island PBS, 4/4/2015 @ 11:30 PM LEARN, 3/31/2015 @ 8:30 PM
? Farm City - Southside Community Land Trust is located in Providence and was established in 1981. Steward Richard Pederson works with a staff and crew of volunteers. Fertile Underground, located in Providence on Westminster Street, is a grocery store run by Michael Giroux selling local natural products. Rhode Island PBS, 4/5/2015 @ 6:00 PM Rhode Island PBS, 4/11/2015 @ 11:00 PM LEARN, 4/7/2015 @ 8:00 PM
WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1; on Rhode Island cable: Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; on Massachusetts cable: Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; on satellite: DirecTV 36 / 3128HD, Dish Network 36 / 7776.
WSBE Learn transmits over the air on digital 36.2; in Rhode Island on Cox 808; Verizon FiOS 478; Full Channel 89; and in Massachusetts on Comcast 294 or 312.