Serving Providence County since 1946
Healthy land, clean water.
We help farmers, forest managers, and communities across Providence County protect the soil, water, and wildlife we all depend on — watershed by watershed.
Or ask anything — “How do I find farmland to lease?”
Who we are
NRICD helps landowners, farmers, and communities solve local conservation challenges. We provide practical, non-regulatory support across Providence County — working alongside you, watershed by watershed.
Learn more about NRICDInteractive land access
Find farmland that fits
Toggle soil type, hydrology, wellheads, and parcel data to evaluate potential farmland before you visit. A preview of the interactive map NRICD is building for growers seeking land in Rhode Island.
| Name | Town | Acres | Availability | Soil | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chepachet River Meadow | Glocester | 18 | For lease | Prime — Ninigret sandy loam | Chepachet River frontage |
| Snake Den Plateau | Johnston | 32 | Conserved / working | Statewide-important — Gloucester | Two seasonal wellheads |
| Scituate Reservoir Buffer | Scituate | 24 | Not yet farm-ready | Prime if drained — Ridgebury | Reservoir watershed — restricted |
| Foster Ridge Orchard | Foster | 12 | For sale | Prime — Canton fine sandy loam | Private well + pond |
| Burrillville Bottomland | Burrillville | 40 | For lease | Statewide-important — Scarboro muck | Clear River + wetland edge |
| Smithfield Community Plots | Smithfield | 6 | For lease | Prime — Bridgehampton silt loam | Municipal + shared well |
| North Providence Edge Farm | North Providence | 9 | Not yet farm-ready | Urban — needs testing | City water only |
On the ground now
Current programs
Manure Exchange Program
Healthy Farm, Healthy Watershed The Healthy Farm, Healthy Watershed Project is a farmer-driven education and outreach effort for small scale livestock farmers to improve water quality through their manure practices. The p…
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Snake Den Farm
The Northern Rhode Island Conservation District (NRICD) has been charged with managing and operating Snake Den Farm, owned by the State of Rhode Island. In November 2013, the Northern RI Conservation Distri…
Scituate Reservoir Watershed Education Program
The Scituate Reservoir is a critical source of drinking water and provides over 60% of Rhode Islanders with drinking water. The Scituate Reservoir Watershed Education Program is a partnership between Providence Water and…
Technical Assistance and Outreach Partnerships with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
NRICD staff work closely with USDA NRCS to help land operators apply for Farm Bill-funded programs, to write conservation plans, and more. Additionally, NRICD and its Conservation District partners across the state host…
News & announcements
What’s happening
RI Growers Survey
Rhode Island farmers and growers are facing real challenges, and as a group of organizations from across the state, we're working together to find practical solutions. Take our five minute survey to help guide our partnership.
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2026 Board Meeting Schedule
Join us for our monthly board meetings! Snacks for in-person attendance only. To get the agenda and meeting minutes ahead of time, email jlebeau.nricd@gmail.com. Zoom link included.
FREE Livestock Tags Available at NRICD!
Please contact Molly Allard, District Manager at mallard.nricd@gmail.com or call 401.934.0840 ext. 2 to set up an appointment.
Farm, Forest, and Open Space Program
Farm, Forest, and Open Space program applications are signed by appointment only. To arrange an appointment, please contact Molly Allard at mallard.nricd@gmail.com or 401.934.0840 ext. 2. These appointments take 15-30 minutes, can typically be scheduled within the week, and a $100 fee to NRICD is due at the time of the appointment.
Have a question about your land?
Our staff work one-on-one with landowners across Providence County. Reach out — there’s no cost to talk.