Rhode Island has a thriving farm culture, and more and more of us are shopping locally-grown produce from road stands and farmers markets. Harvesting Rhode Island discovers and shares the wide variety of growers. Rhode Island PBS proudly presents this full third season of 11 weekly episodes, Fridays at 8:30 p.m., beginning October 4. (Each episode encores the following Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., and Sunday at 7:30 p.m.)
A large number of Rhode Island consumers are unaware of the locations and variety of crops that are grown in the state, and where to get them. Harvesting Rhode Island is changing that, one episode at a time.
The declared mission of Harvesting Rhode Island is to raise public awareness about the diverse and thriving farm culture in the Ocean State. The documentary series brings viewers on location so they can see the farms and listen to the farmers' stories.
This season, Harvesting Rhode Island storytelling film crew Alex Caserta, Soren Sorensen, and Jason Rossi visit dairy and livestock farms, flower gardens, orchards, sod farms, Christmas tree growers, and fruit and vegetable farmers - stretching the definition of "farming" to its most delicious and ingenious extreme.
EPISODES
Wright's Dairy Farm | EMMA Acres
Family-owned since 1914, Wright's Dairy Farm produces fresh local dairy milk and cream that is harvested, pasteurized, and bottled right on the Woonsocket Hill Road farm in North Smithfield. Extra milk and cream are ingredients for the baked goods made and sold on the premises.
Segment two visits the family enterprise of EMMA Acres, a dairy farm in Exeter that works as a Cabot Creamery cooperative family farm. Edwin "Scooter" LaPrise and his wife Cynthia own EMMA Acres, named after their four children: Elizabeth, Matthew, Maggie, and Alex. Although Cynthia was raised on a farm, theirs is a relatively new dairy operation. Some of EMMA Acres milk finds its way to local markets under the Rhody Fresh label. Of special note, EMMA Acres will host an OPEN FARM on Sunday, October 6, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m at their 12-acre location in Exeter.
Blackbird Farm | Narrow Lane Orchard
The Bouthillette family makes it their business to know everything their animals at Blackbird Farm in Smithfield. Raising pasture-fed 100% Black Angus cattle and 100% pedigreed American Heritage Berkshire pigs, the meats are served in some of the best restaurants in southern New England.
Tucked away between stone walls on quiet Narrow Lane in North Kingstown is Narrow Lane Orchard, owned and operated by Steven and Sharon Grenier. The small farmstand carries firewood, honey, flowers, and eggs. But visitors come for the apples – 13 heirloom varieties – as well as peaches, nectarines, blueberries and blackberries grown on 14 pick-your-own acres.
Morris Farm | Sanctuary Herbs of Providence
Operating since 1915, Morris Farm is a third-generation working farm owned by Peter Morris. Morris Farm is famous for its corn and tomatoes, which grow on 42 acres Warwick and 140 acres in Exeter. Morris Farm also grows a large variety of vegetables, sunflowers, and bedding plants.
Christina Dedora and Elisa Sutton are the owners of Sanctuary Herbs of Providence. Grown on Urban Edge Farm in Cranston, RI, their large variety of herbs are dried and made into several types of teas. Their products can be found at farmer’s markets and a number of cafes and eating establishments.
Garman Farm | Young Farm
Located in Middletown, RI, Garman Farm operates on land leased from the Aquidneck Land Trust. Jim and Michelle Garman produce a large variety of flowers and vegetables, which are found at farmer’s markets, and on menus at local restaurants.
Young Farm is a 350-acre farm located in Little Compton, RI. Owners Tyler and Karla Young grow a variety of vegetables and fruits, as well as a large assortment of bedding plants and flowers.
Sweet Berry Farm | Little State Flowers
Established in 1996, Sweet Berry Farm is famous for its large assortment of berries. Owned by Jan and Michelle Eckhart, the 100-acre farm located in Middletown, RI, includes an orchard, and produces sunflowers, corn, and vegetables. Seasonal events at Sweet Berry Farm include concerts in summer and Christmas trees in winter.
Anna Jane Kocon offers more than 120 varieties of flowers at specialty-cut flower farm Little State Flowers. Located in Portsmouth, this farm focuses on environmentally friendly growing practices and sells flowers to florists in RI, MA, and CT.
Verde Vineyards | Elwood Orchard
Tucked away in Johnston, RI, is Verde Vineyards, owned by Jim Verde. Notably, its tasting room is powered by solar and geo-thermal energy. This vineyard produces grapes for eight varieties of award-winning wines.
Located in North Scituate, RI, Elwood Orchard produces a nice variety of apples, peaches, plums, and Asian and European pears. Owners Jean and Al Fuoroli also offer honey, vegetables, garlic, and an assortment of flowers and potted plants.
Diamond Hill Vineyards | Phantom Farm
Claire Bernston and members of her family own Diamond Hill Vineyards in Cumberland, RI. Tucked away off on Diamond Hill Road, the family harvests four and a half acres of grapes. This vineyard also produces an assortment of berry and apple wine, and is one of the few to vineyards to grow a pinot noir varietal.
The 6-acre Phantom Farm orchard was established in 1930, and is owned by Kerri Stenovitch since 2012. The orchard, located in Cumberland, RI, boasts more than 1,000 trees, and produces a variety of apples. The retail shop offers fresh baked goods, cider, and beverages, as well as plants and pumpkins.
Newport Vineyards
Brothers John and Paul Nunes own Newport Vineyards, located in Middletown, RI. This first-class vineyard produces wine, hard apple cider, and includes the Tap Roots Brewery and a year-round farmers market, plus an on-site café, store, and restaurant.
Brandon Family Farm | Big John Leyden Tree Farm
Founded in 2015, Brandon Family Farm is a small family farm run by Certified Organic farmer, Albert Brandon. Located in West Kingston, RI, this farm raises 35 varieties of fruit and vegetables on eight acres of land and through eleven greenhouses.
Located in West Greenwich, RI, John Leyden Tree Farm is known as the largest tree farm in Southern New England. With 120 acres of land and 100,000 trees, third-generation farmer John Leyden raises ten varieties of Christmas trees.
