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.
Who we are
NRICD is not a regulatory or enforcement agency. We’re a team of conservation professionals who work alongside landowners, farmers, and towns to face challenges together.
Interactive 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…
People's Garden Initiative 2025: Update
As of October 2025, funding for the people's garden initiative is currently unavailable for the unknown future. The original grant was completed successfully in 2024 with the full amount of funds allocated to new gardens…
News & announcements
What’s happening
GIS Services Contractor
NRICD is seeking a contractor to create an interactive GIS mapping tool that allows farmers and growers seeking land in Rhode Island to evaluate potential parcels for agricultural viability. Farmland seekers will be able…
Read more →Website Redesign
NRICD is seeking the services of a professional website developer to redesign the NRICD website.
Read more →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 partne…
Read more →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: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86189797039
Read more →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.
Read more →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 mi…
Read more →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.