As we begin the new Fiscal Year, I want to thank our NRCS employees and conservation district partners for all that you have done this past year for our clients, our staff, the agency and Rhode Island agriculture & forestry. I recognize the hard work and effort that you all put in to obligate the increased funding and expand our agency’s efforts to meet the new goals and objectives we were given this year.
Your drive to protect our natural resources and help our clients and communities resulted in our highest obligation rate ever – over $61 million in financial assistance (FA) and ~$13.25 million in technical assistance (TA) – and clearing out of our application backlog. This represents a 99% obligation rate for our conservation program funding allocations through EQIP, CSP, ACEP, AMA, RCPP, EWP and PL-566 to help our farmers, forest landowners and communities conserve resources and improve resiliency to combat climate change.
We will face more challenges this year with a new farm bill and more increased funding for climate-smart practices through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Please remember that if we collaborate and communicate well we have the people, the tools, and the commitment to improve our clients and our communities futures.
R. Phou “Pooh” Vongkhamdy
NRCS Rhode Island State Conservationist
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Rhode Island farmers & forest landowners can now apply for fiscal year 2024 conservation assistance, our highest funding availability in history.
NRCS announces a December 15, 2023, ranking cut-off date for farmers and forest landowners to apply for the first round of FY 2024 conservation program funding. Funds are available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Management Assistance Program (AMA), and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). Visit www.RI.nrcs.usda.gov for details about program benefits, eligibility and requirements.
In fiscal year 2023, NRCS obligated over $3.7 million for 210 contracts to help apply conservation practices on over 9,500 acres in Rhode Island. Over 50% of this year’s contract funding was awarded to beginning, limited resource or socially disadvantaged farmers. We also certified 719 conservation practices improving soil quality, irrigation efficiency, wildlife habitat and forestland vegetation condition on 17,818 acres and investing over $2.2M in our producers. Learn more...
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From the traditional Three Sisters planting of corn, beans and squash (2nd from left) to raising vegetables in hoop houses (left), traditional harvesting and high-tech processing of maple syrup (center), and state-of-the-art vertical farming of greens in freight containers (right), MPTN Ag Dept Executive Director Jeremy Whipple details the tribes’ efforts to integrate technological advances with indigenous methods and traditions.
NRCS RI, CT and AL State Conservationists (Pooh Vongkhamdy, Machelle Simmonds and Ben Malone, respectively) and MA and RI Outreach Coordinators met with tribal representatives, partners and NRCS leadership at the East Regional Tribal Conservation Advisory Committee meeting Sep. 20 at the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation’s Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut. The group reviewed “Draft DR 1340-002 Consolidating USDA Agencies’ Services on Indian Reservations” and discussed progress on NRCS action items. Participants focused on increased recruitment, Tribal Liaison positions and new partnership opportunities.
On Sep. 21, the group visited tribal farms and cultural sites in Connecticut and Rhode Island to learn about unique production techniques and challenges where NRCS could provide assistance. Jeremy Whipple, Executive Director of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Department of Agriculture led the group on a tour of Meechooôk Farm, the Mashantucket Sugar Shack, the freight farm vertical farm operation and the Pequot Museum. Jeremy explained the tribe’s mission to produce and distribute healthy organic food to the tribal community and shared the tribe’s history and traditions of harvesting and producing maple syrup.
The group traveled to RI for lunch at the Sly Fox Den Too in Charlestown and then toured the Narragansett Indian Tribe’s (NIT) watershed program (PL566) project site at Schoolhouse Pond in Charlestown, where Dinalyn Spears, NIT Community Planning/Natural Resources Department Director is working with NRCS to restore anadromous fish passage from Ninigret Pond to Schoolhouse Pond. The tour concluded at Ashawaug Farm in Ashaway, RI, where Narragansett tribal citizens and food producers Cassius, Sr., and Dawn Spears shared their mission to integrate art and agriculture to expand knowledge of Narragansett foodways, support community health and cultural revitalization, and promote food sovereignty.
Learn more...
NRCS State Cons and tribal visitors view traditional Mashantucket Pequot log-burning to craft a canoe at the Pequot Museum (left) and visit Schoolhouse Pond (center) to learn about the Narragansett Indian Tribe’s PL-566 project with NRCS to restore fish passage to the pond.
Feds Feed Families (FFF) is a voluntary food drive that encourages employees from all federal agencies to give in-kind contributions – food, services, and time – to food banks and pantries of their choice.
FFF addresses the issues of food waste and food insecurity facing Americans. FFF focuses increased messaging during the summer as it is a time of increased challenge as many sources of food are less accessible to those in need. Through our collaboration, we are making a difference and supporting our communities.
This year, Rhode Island USDA Service Center agencies donated over 56 pounds of food to the Ocean State's communities in need through the Rhode Island Food Bank. We encourage all to join us in this important effort!
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Kate Bousquet, Northern RI NRCS District Conservationist
Kate transitioned to Northern RI District Conservationist on July 30, 2023, after a three-year term as the RI Financial Assistance Program Manager. She graduated from URI with a degree in Soil & Water Resources, minoring in International Development. She has worn many hats during her career in Rhode Island's conservation "ecosystem" - including outreach coordinator, technical service provider, district manager, soil conservationist, and program manager.
"Most days I wake up, thinking about how I can best support others - at home and at work. My three young adult children are always hungry and active, and I enjoy supporting their activities after work. In my free time, I take adventures with my husband, jog, read, bake, and look for reasons to laugh...and buy jewelry. I sincerely appreciate the growing team in Rhode Island NRCS and look forward to serving our agricultural communities alongside each of you."
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Kylie Chartier, Northern RI NRCS Soil Conservationist
Kylie started with NRCS on August 28th and has been getting her feet wet with field work. She graduated in May 2023 from the University of Rhode Island (URI) with a degree in plant science and a concentration in horticulture. In her free time, Kylie enjoys cooking and baking, and she is currently learning to crochet! Kylie has a boxer mix named Josie (pictured here with Kylie) – and describes Josie as “the light of [her] life.”
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Jennifer Dacey, Program Assistant, NRCS Field Operations
Jennifer is a Coast Guard veteran who has spent her career doing integrated pest management (IPM). She has a BS in wildlife biology and MS in entomology from URI. Jennifer likes to hang out with her dogs and enjoys insect photography.
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Nate Lukas, Southern RI NRCS Soil Conservationist
Nate is new to NRCS but has been a planner with the RI Conservation Districts since 2020. A URI graduate with a BS and MS in environmental science and management, he enjoys camping, cars, and playing music as a part of a band.
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Amy May, NRCS Management Analyst
Amy started with NRCS in July and has been working closely with our leadership team to help manage our grants and agreements. Amy joins us from the U.S. Naval War College, where she worked as an administrative assistant. She loves being outdoors, her dogs, and bread.
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Raymond Munoz Tabares, NRCS Civil Engineer
Raymond is a millennial with two years of professional experience as a civil engineer. He is passionate about improving the environment and reducing his carbon footprint. You can find Ray swimming at Misquamicut State Beach, at the YMCA weight room, or along the East Bay and Blackstone bike path.
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Meghan Seeley, SRICD Outreach Coordinator / Environmental Technician
Meghan is originally from the Midwest but she has had the unique opportunity to experience life in various parts of the United States from North Carolina to Alaska and Oregon. She recently graduated from Portland State University with a bachelor's degree in environmental science and management with a minor in sustainability. In her free time she likes to run, hike, camp, ski (downhill and cross country), practice yoga, travel, and spend time with her husband and two dogs.
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Julia Vieira, ERICD Environmental Field Technician
For the last three years, Julia has served as a member of the URI Bee Lab led by Dr. Steven Alm. Her master's thesis research focused on assessing bee visitation to different clover species and common selfheal. In her free time, Julia enjoys reading, hiking, and tending to her home pollinator garden. Julia is very excited to begin working as the new Environmental Field Technician for ERICD, and she is looking forward to learning and growing as a young professional with them.
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Katheryn "Kat" Zuromski, Financial Assistant Program Manager (acting - detailee)
Kat is a Rhode Island native from the woods of Foster. She has worked as a soil conservationist in the Norwich, Connecticut, field office for 6 years. Before that she worked as an NRCS partner with the RI Conservation Districts and the RI Resource Conservation and Development Council on various grants and projects including the RI River and Stream Continuity Project. Kat loves the outdoors, hiking with her 2 dogs and working in her garden at her CT home.
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Looking to get your start in Natural Resources & Agriculture? NRCS employs over 11,500 people in nearly 3,000 local offices nationwide. NRCS is hiring for positions across the country that support the vision of a world of clean and abundant water, healthy soils, resilient landscapes, and thriving agricultural communities through voluntary conservation.
NRCS offers a multitude of employee benefits where you can make a difference daily in your work and in the lives of farmers, ranchers, and landowners everywhere. Some other benefits include job security, generous leave, competitive salary and pay increases, great health benefits, flexible schedules, retirement benefits, and much more.
In Rhode Island, NRCS is hiring two student trainee Engineers & two student trainee Soil Conservationists. Apply by Oct. 26 on USAJobs.gov at:
NRCS-RI is also hiring a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Coordinator at the GS-11/12 pay scale and grade. Apply by Oct. 25 at:
Please consider joining NRCS through a federal career as a public servant. To find out more about NRCS career opportunities, visit the NRCS careers webpage. Please also share widely!
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October 26, 2023, 11:00 AM-4:00 PM. USDA Ag Outreach & Listening Session, Block Island. Island Free Library, 9 Dodge St., New Shoreham, Block Island. https://bit.ly/490Tela.
November 4, 2023, 8:00 AM- 3:00 PM. RIRC&D Coverts Workshop, Canonicus Camp and Conference Center, 54 Exeter Road, Exeter, RI. Forest management for healthy forests and wildlife. Register with RIRC&D at 401-500-0399 or rircd2283@gmail.com.
November 4, 2023, 10:00-11:00 AM. ERICD Conservation Tour, Sowam's Marsh Restoration, 314 Market St., Warren, RI.
November 18, 2023, 10:00-11:00 AM [Rescheduled]. ERICD Conservation Farm Tour, White Rock Farm, 199 West Main Road, Little Compton, RI. FREE event, RSVP at https://bit.ly/47cv8m7.
December 6, 2023, 7:00PM. RIRC&D Virtual Holiday Get-Together. Register with RIRC&D at 401-500-0399 or rircd2283@gmail.com.
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