Farmers in Charlestown, Westerly and South Kingstown among the grantees
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| Bee Happy Homestead in Charlestown is one of the grantees |
These grants, distributed over the last two rounds of the Agricultural Energy Grant Program, will help farms invest in clean energy, lower utility costs, and advance the state’s climate goals.
“The Agricultural Energy Program supports farms in pursuing
both energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades,” said Acting
Energy Commissioner Chris Kearns. “These grants help advance our Act on
Climate goals while lowering energy bills for Rhode Island’s farmers.”
“The most recent USDA Census of Agriculture ranked Rhode
Island as having the highest percentage of beginning farmers in the nation, and
our goal is to continue that growth by ensuring the long-term viability of our
state’s agriculture,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “These grants
will enable 10 of those farms to adopt energy-saving practices while continuing
to grow a vibrant network of new farmers.”
Grant Recipients
Barrington: Bayside Apiary — $20,000
A family-run beekeeping operation with more than 80 hives
adjacent to the Barrington Community Garden. This 8.72 kW solar expansion
builds on an existing system and will fully power their climate-controlled
honey processing facility.
Charlestown: Bee Happy Homestead — $20,000
Owned by master gardeners, this farm grows produce, raises
bees, and crafts bath products. A 6.02 kW solar system will offset 81% of its
electricity use.
Coventry: Pineda Farm — $20,000
A livestock and blueberry farm is installing a 13.92 kW
solar system to offset 93% of energy use while preparing to diversify
operations.
Coventry: Rhodemont Farm — $20,000
Raising grass-fed beef and managing forest land, the farm is
installing a 10.32 kW solar array to meet 85% of its energy needs.
Coventry: Weaver Hill Farm — $17,845
A forestry and livestock farm installing a high-efficiency
HVAC heat pump system, expected to reduce CO2 output by 44%.
Cranston: Hurricane Hill Farm — $20,000
A fiber farm producing rare-breed wool and textiles. A 17.16
kW rooftop solar array will fully power operations and workshops.
Cranston: Urban Edge Farm — $20,000
Run by the Southside Community Land Trust, the farm hosts 21
small-scale growers. A 9.46 kW rooftop solar system will offset 32% of total
usage.
Cumberland: Novena Farm — $20,000
The Fyfe family is transforming this former alpaca farm into
a horse boarding facility. A 5.52 kW solar system will help lower monthly
utility costs.
Exeter: Hog House Hill Farm — $20,000
This diversified farm grows vegetables, mushrooms, and
raises livestock. An 11.8 kW roof-mounted solar array will offset 100% of its
agricultural energy use and support the switch to electric heating for farm
staff.
Foster: Gibb Farm — $20,000
This multi-product family farm is installing a 34.86 kW
rooftop solar system to power farm operations and improve long-term
sustainability.
Foster: Hoofprint Farm — $20,000
This 9.5-acre flower farm is adding a 6.23 kW solar system
atop its barn to fully power new refrigeration units that support expanded
production and sales at its farm stand and farmers markets.
Johnston: Bami Farm (AARI) — $20,000
A community farm run by the African Alliance of Rhode
Island. A 6.02 kW roof-mounted solar array will offset energy use from
lighting, irrigation, and ventilation.
Johnston: Salisbury Farm — $20,000
A five-generation family farm is installing an 11.44 kW
rooftop solar array to offset 94% of its energy use for produce and value-added
goods.
Portsmouth: Eastern RI Conservation District Ag
Innovation Farm — $20,000
A student-led teaching farm producing vegetables, potatoes,
and herbs. A 4.92 kW solar installation will fully power the classroom,
irrigation, lighting, and fans. This will also serve as the state’s first
agrivoltaics demonstration.
Saunderstown: Sumire Farm — $20,000
A family-run vegetable and pastured pork farm is adding an
8.36 kW solar system to cover 100% of energy use.
Scituate: Good Earth Farm (SCLT) — $20,000
Part of the Southside Community Land Trust, this farm will
install an 8.8 kW carport solar array to meet its power needs and provide
shaded outdoor workspace.
Scituate: Martinelli’s Farm & Charcuterie — $20,000
This farm produces pork, beef, poultry, and vegetables. A
41.71 kW rooftop solar project across two buildings will fully power the farm’s
commercial refrigeration systems.
Smithfield: Jaswell’s Farm — $20,000
Home to Rhode Island’s largest cider mill, the farm will
replace an outdated cooling system with a new, energy-efficient walk-in cooler.
South Kingstown: Carpenter’s Farm Stand — $20,000
A vegetable and livestock operation near Matunuck Beach. The
new 81.09 kW net-metered solar system will offset 100% of its electricity
usage.
South Kingstown: Lavender Waves Farm — $18,000
Home to 4,000 lavender plants and a variety of animals, the
farm will insulate its barn to improve temperature control for drying lavender
and housing newborn poultry.
South Kingstown: Lavender Waves Farm — $20,000
In addition to over 4,000 lavender plants, the farm is home
to llamas and camels. A 6.16 kW rooftop solar system will offset 70% of its
electricity usage.
Westerly: Ayers Foundation — $20,000
This nonprofit at Hillandale Farm is installing a solar
thermal system with two 120-gallon tanks and a circulation pump. It will reduce
annual energy use by 15,330 kBtu and cut nearly 4,000 pounds of carbon
emissions.
Rhode Island is home to more than 1,000 farms, supporting
over 2,500 jobs and contributing $235 million annually to the state’s economy.
The Agricultural Energy Grant Program is funded through
Rhode Island’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI),
the nation’s first market-based cap-and-trade program focused on reducing
carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector.
For more information on the Agricultural Energy Grant
Program, visit: https://energy.ri.gov/energy-efficiency/farm-energy-programs
