Rhode Island Community Farm

Volunteers for the Community Farm harvest green beans for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

The Community Farm Group is a group of five farms dedicated to growing fresh produce for Rhode Islanders in need. Each farm is overseen by a volunteer coordinator who works in conjunction with the Food Bank. The Farm Coordinators facilitate the involvement of local volunteers, including schools, businesses and other civic groups. Each Farm Coordinator oversees the prepping, planting, maintenance, harvesting and seasonal shut-down of the farms.

The Farm’s goal of providing fresh produce for Rhode Islanders in need while preserving valuable land can only be achieved with the invaluable help of volunteers. Your assistance is crucial in the areas of planting, cultivating and harvesting. Whether you’re part of a church or civic group or simply a caring individual, your help is greatly appreciated. See below for volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer at a Farm

Volunteer opportunities exist at our farm locations throughout the state. Please contact the Farm Coordinators if you are interested in volunteering or would like additional information. Volunteers of all ages are welcome through the Rhode Island Community Farm.

Bristol
Magaziner Farm
192 Poppasquash Road
Coordinator: Ray Sabourin
(401) 437-1372
Email Ray


Cumberland
Franklin Farm
Visit the Franklin Farm Website
142 Abbot Run Valley Road
Coordinator: Denise Mudge
(401) 334-0133
Email Denise

Smithfield
St. Philip’s Church & School Farm
622 Putnam Pike
Coordinator: Paul Santucci
(401) 949-5995
Email Paul

Woonsocket
G.R.O.W. U.P. Farm
55 Main Street
Coordinators: Jo Goode & Elena Marchand
(401) 235-6059 or (401) 235-6083
Email Jo      

Kingston
College of the Environment & Life Sciences
Plains Road
University of Rhode Island

If you are interested in volunteering, you may contact the Farm Coordinators directly.

To make a donation of produce, please contact Farris Maxwell by clicking here.

Farm History

The Rhode Island Community Farm harvested its first crop from one small community garden site in 2001. Since then, it has grown to include garden sites across the state. Over the past five years, the farms, in conjunction with the efforts at the University of Rhode Island's College of the Environment & Life Sciences, have generated over 500,000 pounds of produce for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

While the number of Rhode Islanders needing food assistance has continued to grow, farmland throughout the state has continued to shrink. Since 1960, the state has lost 35,000 acres of farmland to development. The Rhode Island Community Farm utilizes some of the most fertile soil in the state as it seeks to provide fresh produce for Rhode Islanders in need while preserving valuable land.