Portsmouth student-run farm wins grant for solar

$20K award will go toward 4.92 kW solar installation

Article by Jim McGaw. Originally published by EastBay Media Group. Access here.

Dylan Landreville, Kelly Hanks of the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Lukas Lacourse and PHS student and volunteer Caitlin Mediate (from left) haul some of the harvest at the Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm last summer.

The AgInnovation Farm, a program of the Eastern R.I. Conservation District, has been awarded a $20,000 grant toward a solar installation.

The student-led teaching farm that produces vegetables, potatoes, and herbs received the award over the last two rounds of the state’s Agricultural Energy Grant Program, will helps farms invest in clean energy, lower utility costs, and advance the state’s climate goals.

In all, $400,000 in funding was distributed to support 23 agricultural businesses or entities across Rhode Island.

In Portsmouth, the money will go toward a 4.92 kW solar installation that will fully power the classroom, irrigation, lighting, and fans.

This will also serve as the state’s first agrivoltaics demonstration; also known as dual-use solar, that’s the practice of combining solar panel installations with agricultural activities on the same land

“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 Terry Gray, director of the R.I. Department of Environmental Management. “These grants will enable 10 of those farms to adopt energy-saving practices while continuing to grow a vibrant network of new farmers.”

For more about AgInnovation Farm, located at Cloverbud Ranch on Jepson Lane, visit easternriconservation.org/aginnovation-farm, or facebook.com/PortsmouthAgInnovationFarm.