Rhode Island Service Center Newsletter - August 12, 2024.
In This Issue:
Our Rhode Island NRCS and Conservation District planners are finalizing Fiscal Year 2024 conservation plans for the over 267 conservation program applications we received this year. Over 55% of the contracts we have awarded so far are to historically underserved clients. Our staff continue to work hard to obligate as much of our Farm Bill and Inflation Reduction Act funding as possible.
We are also continuing to work to address flood damages in communities across the Ocean State through our Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) and Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) programs. Several towns have been approved for EWP flood damage funding in response to storms in September and December 2023 and January 2024, and we are seeking to secure additional assistance. We are also close to receiving approval of the long-awaited Pocasset watershed plan and working to sign agreements with the towns of Johnston and Cranston.
NRCS in Rhode Island is honored to be working with area tribes to create and distribute the agency’s national 2024 American Indian/ Alaska Native Heritage Month Poster, with original artwork created by an American Indian artist, to celebrate American Indian/ Alaska Native Heritage Month. American Indian artists residing in Rhode Island are invited to submit original artwork that portrays the artist’s interpretation of American Indian/ Alaska Native culture and heritage, keeping in mind the theme selected to inspire this year’s artwork, “Facing East, Where Land Meets Water.” Submissions are due August 31, 2024.
Walter Marshall
Acting Rhode Island State Conservationist
American Indian artists residing in Rhode Island are invited to submit original artwork that provides the artist’s interpretation of American Indian/ Alaska Native culture and heritage, keeping in mind the theme selected to inspire this year’s artwork, “Facing East, Where Land Meets Water.” The theme was selected to honor the indigenous peoples of the coastal northeast. Learn more...
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NRCS Chief Terry Cosby shares resources to support water quality and working lands in this month's blog.
Agriculture offers a major potential to support water quality improvements nationwide. At NRCS, we deliver science and data, one-on-one technical support, and cost share opportunities to ensure this potential is realized.
In recognition of National Water Quality Month, NRCS Chief Terry Cosby highlights some of the key ways NRCS supports voluntary conservation efforts to deliver wins for water quality and working lands. He also shares details on an upcoming webinar that will offer conservation insights for agricultural producers, conservationists, and researchers to strengthen legacy phosphorus mitigation efforts and improve water quality nationwide. Read Chief Cosby’s Blog
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Through the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, NRCS has awarded $22 million in 29 projects in 36 in states that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands.
In New England, Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment was awarded funds to expand managed grazing in New England and Eastern New York through partnerships, climate-smart technical assistance, and education. Learn more about the Grazing Lands 2024 Projects.
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Real Stories. Real Successes. Real Quick.
NRCS’s highly popular Conservation at Work video series continues to grow its content. The series consists of more than 75 short videos that highlight common conservation practices being implemented around the country.
Housed on YouTube and featured on farmers.gov, the series was designed with the concept of “show, don’t tell.” The videos shine the spotlight on farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners from across the U.S. Their first-person testimonials tell their conservation stories, and how conservation practices are helping them protect and improve natural resources while saving time and money. Find all the videos here!
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The Ecological Sciences Team welcomes Liz Camps as new State Agronomist for NRCS Rhode Island.
Liz Camps joined us on July 29th from New York, where she was the District Conservationist for the Riverhead Field Office. Liz earned her B.S. in Environmental Science from Universidad Metropolitana in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is now advancing her academic credentials by pursuing an M.S. in Plant Health Management from Ohio State University. Her conservation journey began over two decades ago with the Caribbean Stranding Network, where she honed her skills in rescuing and rehabilitating marine wildlife such as manatees, sea turtles, dolphins, and seals. Following her passion, Liz transitioned to the Forest Service at the Teakettle Experimental Forest in California. There she engaged in research studying the impact of shrubs on nitrogen fixation in the soil around giant Sequoia trees.
Liz's dedication was recognized with a Public Service Leaders Scholarship from USDA, facilitating her move into a soil conservationist role with NRCS. Her journey continued in Tennessee, embracing challenges in designing infrastructures like dams, diversions, and catch basins to alleviate excessive flooding issues.
As a Holistic Certified Educator and Master Gardener, Liz has been instrumental in providing technical guidance to a myriad of farming operations. Her spectrum of expertise ranges from small organic farms to large conventional ones, encompassing mixed vegetables, potatoes, orchards, vineyards, nurseries, and various livestock farms. Liz’s engagement with the farming community extends through her regular presentations and webinars covering pivotal topics like cover crops, irrigation systems, farm planning, soil health, permaculture, and climate change adaptation.
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The Ecological Sciences Team welcomes Kim Smith as new Archaeologist for NRCS Rhode Island.
Kim is a Cultural Resources Specialist with over 24 years of expertise in cultural heritage management. She is a subject matter expert in Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and National Environmental Policy Act. Kim is uniquely qualified as a terrestrial archaeologist and a marine archaeologist specializing in eastern North America and Ontario. Kim's experience includes all phases of survey and investigations from due diligence through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and the implementation of mitigation activities, compliance programs, historic property management plans, and inadvertent find programs. Kim’s qualifications exceed the Secretary of the Interior Professional Qualifications for Archaeology according to 36 CFR Part 61.
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The Rhode Island Engineering Team welcomes new administrative support assistant, Marckenzie Boutin.
Marckenzie graduated from Rhode Island College in 2007 with a B.A. in English (Modern American Literature). He is also a veteran. Marckenzie joined the Rhode Island National Guard as a cannon crew member in 2002 and was commissioned into active duty in 2007 as a field artillery officer. He left the Army in 2016 and briefly pursued careers in real estate and healthcare.
Although Marckenzie is American born, his family emigrated to the US from Haiti, a small country neighboring the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. Over the years, he developed into an enthusiastic reader and an avid runner. In May, he completed the 2024 Rhode Island Half Marathon, finishing in 119th place out of 1,401 runners and 12th place out of 132 runners in his age group. Marckenzie brings a positive and energetic attitude to the table, and we look forward to working with him.
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 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announces changes to the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Farm Loan Programs, effective Sept. 25, 2024 — changes that are intended to increase opportunities for farmers and ranchers to be financially viable. These improvements, part of the Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans rule, demonstrate USDA’s commitment to improving farm profitability through farm loans designed to provide important financing options used by producers to cover operating expenses and purchase land and equipment.
Farm loan policy changes outlined in the Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans rule, are designed to better assist borrowers to make strategic investments in the enhancement or expansion of their agricultural operations. Learn more...
USDA encourages producers to reach out to their local FSA farm loan staff to ensure they fully understand the wide range of loan and servicing options available to assist with starting, expanding, or maintaining their agricultural operation. To conduct business with FSA, please contact the RI FSA Office at (401) 828-3120 (ext 2) or email Emma Schlam at Emma.Schlam@usda.gov.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program to now include medium-sized businesses in addition to small businesses. Eligible specialty crop growers can apply for assistance for expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification. The program has also been expanded to include assistance for 2024 and 2025 expenses. Producers can apply for assistance on their calendar year 2024 expenses beginning July 1, 2024, through Jan. 31, 2025. For program year 2025, the application period will be Jan. 1, 2025, through Jan. 31, 2026.
Program Details
FSCSC assists specialty crop operations that incurred eligible on-farm food safety certification and expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety. FSCSC covers a percentage of the specialty crop operation’s cost of obtaining or renewing its certification, as well as a portion of related expenses. Learn More...
To learn more, please contact the RI FSA Office at (401) 828-3120 (ext 1) or email Lillian Toth at Lillian.Toth@usda.gov.
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Through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will cover up to 75% of organic certification costs at a maximum of $750 per certification category. FSA is now accepting applications, and organic producers and handlers should apply for OCCSP by the Oct. 31, 2024, deadline for eligible expenses incurred from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024. FSA will issue payments as applications are received and approved.
OCCSP was part of a broader organic announcement made by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on May 15, 2024, which also included the Organic Market Development Grant program and Organic Transition Initiative. Learn More...
To learn more, please contact the RI FSA Office at (401) 828-3120 (ext 1) or email Lillian Toth at Lillian.Toth@usda.gov.
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Foreign Investors Must Report U.S. Agricultural Land Holdings
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds foreign investors with an interest in agricultural land in the United States that they are required to report their land holdings and transactions to USDA...
Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Conservation Compliance
Landowners and operators are reminded that in order to receive payments from USDA, compliance with Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions are required. Farmers with HEL determined soils are reminded of tillage, crop residue, and rotation requirements as specified per their conservation plan. Producers are to notify the USDA Farm Service Agency prior to breaking sod, clearing land (tree removal), and of any drainage projects (tiling, ditching, etc.) to ensure compliance. Failure to update certification of compliance, with form AD-1026, triggering applicable HEL and/or wetland determinations, for any of these situations, can result in the loss of FSA farm program payments, FSA farm loans, NRCS program payments, and premium subsidy to Federal Crop Insurance administered by RMA...
Annual Review of Payment Eligibility for New Crop Year
FSA and NRCS program applicants for benefits are required to submit a completed CCC-902 Farming Operation Plan and CCC-941 Average Gross Income (AGI) Certification and Consent to Disclosure of Tax Information for FSA to determine the applicant’s payment eligibility and establish the maximum payment limitation applicable to the program applicant.
Participants are not required to annually submit new CCC-902s for payment eligibility and payment limitation purposes unless a change in the farming operation occurs that may affect the previous determination of record. However, participants are responsible for ensuring that all CCC-902 and CCC-941 and related forms on file in the county office are updated, current, and correct. Participants are required to timely notify the county office of any changes in the farming operation that may affect the previous determination of record by filing a new or updated CCC-902 as applicable.
Update Your Records
FSA is cleaning up our producer record database and needs your help. Please report any changes of address, zip code, phone number, email address or an incorrect name or business name on file to our office. You should also report changes in your farm operation, like the addition of a farm by lease or purchase. You should also report any changes to your operation in which you reorganize to form a Trust, LLC or other legal entity.
FSA and NRCS program participants are required to promptly report changes in their farming operation to the County Committee in writing and to update their Farm Operating Plan on form CCC-902.
To update your records, please contact the RI FSA Office at (401) 828-3120 (ext 1) or email Lillian Toth at Lillian.Toth@usda.gov.
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This past month, USDA Rural Development in Southern New England announced renewable energy investments in Massachusetts and Rhode Island – totaling nearly $800,000. These investments were made possible by the historic investments of the Biden-Harris administration through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program.
“These projects, funded through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, will add important technical capacity to that make farms more resilient and strengthen rural small businesses in Southern New England,” said State Director Soares. “These investments will assist with technical assistance for stakeholders as they explore and implement energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy generation.”
This was part of a national announcement where Secretary Vilsack detailed $163 million across more than 330 projects in 39 states. Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $2.2 billion through REAP in 7,566 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. These projects will help rural small businesses and farmers lower energy bills by an average of $25,000 a year, generate new renewable energy income, and strengthen their resiliency of operations. The energy generated and saved from these projects would provide enough electricity to power more than 630,000 homes over the course of a year.
REAP enables agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses and address climate change while lowering energy costs for American families.
A complete list of all REAP projects can be found online.
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USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), in partnership with the Cornell Small Farms Program and Rooted, has developed the Promise of Urban Agriculture courses to provide critical information for building or supporting successful commercial urban farms. The Promise of Urban Agriculture courses represent an innovative and holistic approach to support robust urban farming businesses and communities by addressing city planners, policymakers, and farmers alike.
The courses, now available on the Cornell Small Farms Program website, educate participants through unique video content and materials about topics including, Accessing Urban Land for Farming, Urban Farm Planning and Management, and Sources of Urban Farm Income. Upon completion of these courses, participants will know the important factors involved in building viable urban farms, understand relevant policy and planning tools, be aware of economic opportunities and risks, and distinguish between effective nonprofit and for-profit business structures.
The Promise of Urban Agriculture courses are available online at the Cornell Small Farms Program website and are free to those who register for the courses in the first six months (July 22, 2024 – January 24, 2025). Following those six months, participants will be charged a nominal fee.
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USDA – Rhode Island
60 Quaker Lane
Warwick, RI 02886
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Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
State Conservationist - Pooh Vongkhamdy
401-828-1300 | www.RI.nrcs.usda.gov
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Eastern RI – Serving Newport and Bristol counties
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NRCS Field Office
Ghyllian Alger, District Conservationist
401-822-8835 or Ghyllian.Alger@usda.gov
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Conservation District Office
401-934-0842 or info@easternriconservation.org
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Northern RI – Serving Providence County
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NRCS Field Office
Kate Bousquet, District Conservationist
401-822-8814 or Kate.Bousquet@usda.gov
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Conservation District Office
401-934-0840 or mallard.nricd@gmail.com
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Southern RI – Serving Kent and Washington counties
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NRCS Field Office
Jameson Long, District Conservationist
401-822-8837 or Jameson.Long@usda.gov
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Conservation District Office
401-661-5761 or sricd.info@gmail.com
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RI FSA County Office, Suite 49
RI FSA Farm Loan Team, Suite 62
RI FSA State Office, Suite 62
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401-828-3120 Option 1
401-828-3120 Option 2
401-828-3120 Option 3
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County Committee
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Joseph Polseno, Chairperson
Erin Cabot, Member
Gilbert Rathbun Jr., Member
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John Sousa, Vice Chairperson
William Coulter, Member
Dawn M Spears, SDA Member
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State Committee
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Al Bettencourt, Chairperson
Albert Brandon, Member
Michelle Garman, Member
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Maggie Cole, Member
Cristina Cabrera, Member
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