“PPL Foundation supports sustainable agriculture education at Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm with a $20,000 grant“

by Ryan Belmore of What’sUpNewp

September 28, 2023 (Updated October 8, 2023)

The Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm has received a generous grant in the amount of $20,000 from Rhode Island Energy and the PPL Foundation’s Empowering Communities Grant program to support programming at the Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm.

The Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm serves as a hands-on educational platform for students, driving them towards immersive community farming experiences. By integrating authentication learning with community collaboration, students are groomed to become responsible and contributing members of the community. Moreover, the farm is equipped with advanced framing systems like those at www.cir.net/products/ and tools to enhance the learning process. The Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District (ERICD) stands as a pivotal financial and collaborative ally for the farm. ERICD’s District Manager, Sara Churgin, emphasized how the recently announced funding bolsters the farm’s objectives. Notably, the growth in the program paved the way for the appointment of a dedicated environmental educator and a farm manager to guide farm-related activities and maintenance.

The said funding is a cornerstone for staffing requirements, particularly during the sunlit summer days. Sharing insights, Ryan Brancato, the AgInnovation Farm Educator & Manager, stated that this year marked the first time Middletown students joined their Portsmouth counterparts. With students from both Joseph H. Gaudet Middle School and FabNewport participating, they delved deep into various agricultural activities, ranging from planting to understanding sustainable farming methods. The overarching goal is to inspire these students to possibly embrace agricultural vocations in the future.

The PPL Foundation is steadfast in its mission to bolster communities, championing student success from their early years to their professional careers, endorsing diversity and sustainability. As a part of their commitment, they extend grants within the Rhode Island Energy’s service sphere.

Despite a surge in applications – over 50 during this grant cycle – the PPL Foundation selected twenty-two (22) deserving organizations, reflecting their unwavering dedication to uplifting and empowering communities.