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2024: Our Year in Review

SCLT staff and Board of Directors members gather at SCLT’s Youth Enterprise Farm in South Providence for a photo in December, 2024

 

Southside Community Land Trust marked 2024 as a year of significant expansion and deepening impact across Rhode Island’s food system. The organization’s Produce Aggregation and VeggieRx programs delivered more than 44,000 pounds of locally grown produce to 9,750 people, with 97% of recipients being low-income residents. Through its network of 40 small-scale farm operations, SCLT facilitated the distribution of fresh, culturally relevant produce to markets, restaurants, and institutions throughout the state.

The organization’s comprehensive annual program review highlighted substantial achievements in youth engagement and workforce development, with 50 young people receiving employment and education in sustainable agriculture. Community gardens continued to thrive, supporting more than 1,600 gardeners across 23 locations. The year also saw the successful expansion of partnerships with healthcare providers, schools, and social service organizations, enabling SCLT to reach more than 25,000 Rhode Islanders through various programs.

“We can take great pride in the accomplishments of the past few years, but we also carry a deep concern for the future of our work,” said Margaret DeVos, Executive Director of SCLT. “The wells of pandemic crisis response resources – major drivers of much of our recent growth – are drying up. We find ourselves at a critical juncture that demands immediate attention and support.”

Supporting these initiatives, SCLT secured several significant grants in 2024, including funding from the Governor’s Workforce Board’s Real Skills for Youth program, the Rhode Island Foundation, and the Papitto Opportunity Connection, among others. These investments strengthened core programs in youth development, produce aggregation, farmer training, and community garden support. The organization also received crucial general operating support from foundations including the Island Foundation, enabling flexible response to community needs.

Looking ahead to 2025, SCLT’s program review process identified opportunities for growth while acknowledging the challenges posed by expiring pandemic-era funding programs. The organization remains focused on sustaining its momentum through new funding opportunities, including potential support through Senator Reed’s proposed EAT Local Foods Act, while maintaining its commitment to building a more equitable and sustainable local food system for Rhode Island.

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Infrastructure improvements at SCLT’s The Good Earth Farm

Land Access Manager Matt Tracy prepares the site for irrigation and wastewater improvements.

Southside Community Land Trust has recently completed significant improvements to wastewater and irrigation pipeline infrastructure at Good Earth Farm. Part of a long-term vision of integrated improvements, the pipeline project enhances environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity while enabling expansion of on-site retail operations. Stormwater management and irrigation system upgrades are expected to create improved conditions for the eight small-scale farm operations who grow culturally familiar produce to sell at several area farmers markets. It’s also allowed Sanctuary Herbs of Providence to establish processing and retail operations at the historic 20-acre property.

The improvements were implemented through a partnership with Rhode Island’s Natural Resources Conservation Services and were managed by SCLT staff, including Land Access Manager Matt Tracy, Properties & Facilities Coordinator Dan Roberts, and Conservation Associate Dave Kuma.

Sanctuary Herbs’ retail shop now open at Good Earth Farm, featuring teas, houseplants, culinary herbs, and more.

Sanctuary Herbs, which sources most of its ingredients from a 5-mile radius of the shop, has established a significant presence at Good Earth Farm, offering herbal teas, culinary seasonings, and other botanical products. The company will host its second “Open Doors” event on January 19, 2025 at 1800 Scituate Ave in Hope, RI, from noon to 3 PM, inviting the community to enjoy tea tastings, farm tours, and connection with local farmers. The free event showcases how infrastructure improvements have enabled Good Earth Farm to evolve beyond traditional farming into a hub for agricultural innovation and community engagement. Stay tuned to more news and events on the Sanctuary Herbs instagram page.

Conservation Associate Dave Kuma supervises digging and site preparation.

Good Earth Farm, acquired by SCLT in July 2021, continues its legacy as a vital resource for local agriculture while expanding its offerings. The property features three heated greenhouses, two high tunnels, and a retail operation serving both farmers and the public. The recent improvements in water management and facilities have created opportunities for diverse agricultural enterprises, from immigrant-led farming operations to herbal product manufacturing, demonstrating SCLT’s commitment to building a more resilient and diverse local food system.

The infrastructure improvements and expansion of retail operations align with SCLT’s broader vision for creating sustainable, equitable food systems in Rhode Island. With these enhancements now in place, Good Earth Farm stands as a model for how agricultural properties can support both traditional farming and value-added enterprises while maintaining strong environmental stewardship practices, and looks forward to evolving infrastructure projects as climate change drives that need.

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Volunteers honored at Peace & Plenty Garden

Volunteers join Senator Ana Quezada (center, in black) and garden leader Doug Victor (center, in green) at Peace & Plenty Garden to receive certificates of appreciation

 

Despite a bit of snow, dedicated volunteers gathered at Southside Community Land Trust’s Peace & Plenty Community Garden on December 5, 2024 to receive certificates of appreciation. Jointly presented by garden leader Doug Victor and RI Senator Ana Quezada, the ceremony recognized the year-round commitment of volunteers from The Wheeler School, West Bay Community Action, and local residents who maintain this vital community space in Providence’s Elmwood neighborhood.

Peace & Plenty, one of SCLT’s oldest community gardens, has served as a cornerstone of public engagement for nearly four decades. The garden has evolved into a dynamic shared space where gardeners with family plots mix with market growers, social service agencies, and neighbors to collaborate on environmental and cultural restoration and protection initiatives. Peace & Plenty welcomes the scientific community, studying populations and migrations of the wildlife that visits the oasis. Students learn about the impacts of paved heat islands on surrounding biodiversity.

At this hub of community, volunteers help with weeding, provide regular attention to the living compost piles, repair tools, assist in harvests, and more. Volunteers also work to maintain the adjacent Peace & Plenty Park and contribute to broader neighborhood care, including street tree maintenance and storm drain management.

Volunteers currently gather Thursday mornings and most Saturdays throughout the year, weather permitting, to maintain the garden. Those interested in joining the volunteer team can contact garden leader Doug. If you’d like to learn about other volunteer opportunities within SCLT’s community garden network, please contact Andrew Cook, Community Gardens Network Director.

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SCLT Featured in Rhode Island Spotlight

 

This January, Rhode Island PBS will air a 10-minute video documentary on Southside Community Land Trust’s four-decade journey of transforming urban spaces into productive agricultural sites across Providence and supporting statewide food access efforts. The documentary, produced by Jim Hummel of Rhode Island Spotlight, chronicles SCLT’s expansion from its 1981 beginnings with two community gardens to its current network of 60 farms and gardens serving over 1,600 community gardeners and their families annually.

Featured in a writeup in The Providence Journal as well as upcoming PBS broadcasts, the piece explores SCLT’s comprehensive approach to food security through innovative programs like VeggieRx: healthcare partnerships providing veggie prescriptions for food insecure patients. The documentary includes interviews with longtime SCLT staff member Rich Pederson, who discusses City Farm’s role as a demonstration site growing 80 varieties of vegetables, and Charlotte Uwimphuhwe, who operates a successful farming enterprise at Urban Edge Farm in Cranston.

The Rhode Island Spotlight documentary will premiere on Rhode Island PBS on January 11th at 9:47 PM, with additional airings throughout the following week. For more information about SCLT’s work and impact, viewers can read the complete feature article in The Providence Journal or visit RhodeIslandSpotlight.org.

Catch the video on RIPBS:

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