Contact Information
Sam Thibault, Land Conservation Program Manager
For farmers & forest owners
Agriculture & Forestry
Conservation planning, technical assistance, and resources for farmers and forest land owners across Providence County.
In Providence County, farmers and forest land owners care about the quality of our water and soil resources. The Northern Conservation District (NRICD) provides assistance to them through the Farm, Forest and Open Space Program, and financial and technical assistance through our partners at the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Many farmers and forest land owners are eligible for USDA-NRCS programs that provide free technical assistance and funding for implementing conservation practices on their land. If you are interested in more information, please check out the Healthy Lands RI website, or contact Kate Sayles or Cassius Spears.
Cassius Spears, District Conservationist, USDA-NRCS
(401) 822-8833
To learn more or start the process, contact Sam Thibault, Land Conservation Program Manager:
sthibault.nricd@gmail.com
For more information to request this service, please contact Sam Thibault, Land Conservation Program Manager:
sthibault.nricd@gmail.com
What we offer
Programs & services
Farm Conservation Planning
Are you interested in placing your farm in the Farm, Forest, and Open Space current use tax program? NRICD currently has funding to write farm conservation plans for eligible land owners free of charge. We can also answer your questions about the farm portion of the program, and walk you through the process of completing an application.
Open Space Mapping Services
If you are applying for the Open Space portion of the Farm, Forest, and Open Space current use tax program, your tax assessor will require a set of maps showing the various soil types you have on your property. NRICD is able to provide these maps on a fee-for-service basis. Mapping services cost $60/hour, with typical properties taking 1-2 hours to complete.
Resources
Guides, publications & links
Below you will find links to resources that will help with your agriculture or forestry needs. Email Sam Thibault for more information.
FFOS — Farms, Forest and Open Space Program: A Citizen's Guide
(application for FFOS)
A Farmer’s Guide to Employment Laws in Rhode Island
A Guide to Farming in Rhode Island
A wealth of information on finding land, zoning, insurance, taxes, business plans, soil testing, water conservation, and much more!
Agricultural Producer Survey
If you are a farmer, please take our survey so that we can better serve you!
Composting Workshop
The Northern RI Conservation District led a composting workshop at a Scituate Conservation Commission Annual Meeting. Below are links to the resources provided at the workshop. For any questions, please contact Kate Sayles.
Farm Equipment Needs & Solutions for Southern New England
Extending The Growing Season Workshop
Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Guidance Documents and Planning Tools
Conservation Farming in the Scituate Reservoir Watershed Bulletins
The 2012 theme for the Scituate Reservoir Watershed Education Program is, "Conservation Farmers are Good Neighbors." We are providing farmers with some new information on farming resources, the Scituate Reservoir Watershed, and the benefits of conservation farming. We are bringing our message to farmers, students, new residents to the Scituate Reservoir Watershed community, homeowners, businesses, legislators, community leaders and churches within the watershed. If you are interested in learning more about our program, please contact Sam Thibault, Land Conservation Program Manager:
Winter Workshop Presentations
Keeping Livestock: Protecting Water Resources and Health
Livestock Fact Sheets and Self-Assessment Worksheets