Credit: ERICD

Today, the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District (ERICD) announced it was awarded a $5,000 grant from the BankNewport Charitable Foundation to build and install a door on the Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm (AgInnovation) tractor shed. 

“Having the tractor on the farm has been such a big help for everyday chores,” says Sara Churgin, ERICD’s District Manager, “it will be so nice to have peace of mind with the added security of the door.” The tractor has been used to help move materials around the farm’s pollinator habitat, high tunnel, planting beds, and micro-clover patch.

AgInnovation Farm is ERICD’s student-driven community farm program. With the goal of teaching the next generation about sustainable agriculture, students help design farm plots, harvest crops, care for the farm chickens, and much more! From afterschool programs to class field trips, the farm provides students the space to connect with the environment and gain further insight to where their food comes from.

For more information, please contact Sara Churgin, ERICD’s District Manager at schurgin.ericd@gmail.com or visit the website at easternriconservation.org.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...