Southside Community Land Trust

Community scientists study urban garden biodiversity at Peace & Plenty

10/17/2025 admin Community Garden, Southside Community Land Trust, Sustainable Agriculture

Common Chickweed, edible, found at the April 12 P&P BioBlitz

Peace and Plenty Community Garden completed its year-long BioBlitz series on Saturday, October 11, with 16 dedicated identifiers documenting an impressive 262 species on a day that began cloudy and cool but welcomed warming sunshine and, notably, many flying invertebrates that followed. Representatives from the Rhode Island Natural History Survey, Audubon RI, Rhode Island Plant Insect Pollinator Network, Providence Neighborhood Planting Program, Southside Community Land Trust, and 15 Minute Field Trips participated alongside four community scientists, including two teen neighbors who discovered a previously unidentified ant species. A neighborhood family with a three-year-old daughter who enthusiastically netted species for identification joined the survey, while photographer and videographer Catherine McCray documented the event and musician Phil Edmunds accompanied the search with lilting tunes from his concertina.

Melissa Guillet of 15 Minute Field Trips tabulated the October findings, which included wreath lichen, turkey tail, dusty slug, wolf spider, mining bee, blowfly, Asian lady beetle, oriental bittersweet, monarda punctata, daisy fleabane, wild cucumber, dark-eyed junco, and eastern grey squirrel. A notable moment occurred when yellow jackets were observed eating a spotted lanternfly.

The year-long initiative brought together diverse participants throughout three seasons. The inaugural BioBlitz on Saturday, April 12, saw 17 citizen scientists brave cold, damp, windy, and rainy conditions to document the garden’s biodiversity. The diverse group included environmentalists from the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society, Audubon, 15 Minute Field Trips, and the Providence Urban Wildlife Conservation Partnership, alongside gardeners, an artist, a musician, and Wheeler School students who identified 72 species including cuspidate earth moss, false turkey tail fungi, common chickweed, furry snake millipedes, and red-bellied woodpeckers.

The second BioBlitz took place on Saturday, July 12, with 30 community members joining the summer survey under beautiful weather conditions, a welcome contrast to April’s challenging start. This expanded gathering included representatives from the Rhode Island Natural History Survey, Audubon RI, Rhode Island Environmental Education Association, Providence Preservation Society, Providence Neighborhood Planting Program, and 15 Minute Field Trips, along with community scientists who served as species identifiers. The event was documented by videographer Greg Gerritt, photographers Sally Bozzuto and Catherine McCray, and freelance reporter Elizabeth Keiser, while musicians Phil Edmunds and Mike Hudson provided accompaniment and gardener Rafael Serrano painted during the survey. The comprehensive species identification work brought the total documented species count to an impressive 211 across both BioBlitzes, with findings including star rosette lichen, brown-bellied bumblebees, and the invasive spotted lanternfly.

Tonay poses with a Chinese Praying Mantis, found at the October 11, 2025 BioBlitz at Peace & Plenty Community Garden

The year-long survey serves multiple educational goals beyond species documentation. The project helps gardeners understand their pivotal role in restorative earth care, demonstrates that gardening need not be solely extractive, reveals that many “weeds” are actually gardener-friendly, and shows how supporting wild populations can enhance both garden experience and vitality. This citizen science initiative helps identify invasive species and problem insects while informing strategies to support threatened pollinator populations, including Rhode Island’s declining bumblebee species. University of Rhode Island research suggests nearly half of the state’s historical bumblebee species may have disappeared. The BioBlitz revealed fascinating information about common garden species that many might overlook. For instance, common chickweed, often considered just a weed, is actually edible and highly nutritious.

Importantly, the BioBlitz demonstrates that all small urban green spaces, like Peace & Plenty Community Garden, play a vital yet often not fully understood role in Rhode Island’s rich and diverse natural landscapes, bringing these often fragmented and overlooked urban habitats forward so they are recognized, acknowledged, and supported. All findings were meticulously recorded and uploaded to iNaturalist, an online platform for sharing biodiversity information that helps scientists and nature enthusiasts identify species and track wildlife observations.

The next phase of the Bloom Rhode Island grant, that made this project possible, will focus on reviewing results to identify best-placed strategies to enhance the community garden experience and creating formats to share findings with a much wider audience. This capstone project aims to broadcast the important role smaller urban green spaces play in Rhode Island’s overall natural landscape while sharing learnings that will shape how the community garden continues to define future ways to support climate change through environmental stewardship and garden productivity. As Doug Victor, Peace and Plenty Garden Leader and host of the BioBlitzes, notes, these efforts are “succeeding in making sure our urban wild spaces are considered and counted.”

From Youth Staff to Award-Winning Environmental Leader: Celebrating James Tzul Pastor

10/15/2025 admin Galego, Southside Community Land Trust, Youth Program

James with Chandelle Wilson, Youth & Education Programs Manager

Southside Community Land Trust is proud to celebrate James Tzul Pastor of Cumberland, RI, who has been named the Rhode Island Environmental Education Association’s 2025 Youth of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who exemplify dedication and commitment to outdoor learning and recreation, and James’s journey from a participant in our youth program to environmental educator embodies the transformative power of hands-on environmental education.

James’s path in environmental work began three years ago, when they joined as a Youth Staff member in SCLT’s workforce development program. Working at our urban farm sites in Providence and Pawtucket/Central Falls, James developed skills in sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and food system advocacy. As they progressed to become a Youth Staff Leader, James reflected on the program’s impact: “This job led me to a lot of opportunities to continue working in this field and learning what different fields I can work in. As a Youth Leader, I like leading the kids and helping them learn, especially in the urban environment.” That commitment to learning and leading others has defined James’s career trajectory ever since.

Today, James serves as Program Coordinator at longtime SCLT partner Groundwork Rhode Island. In this role, they teach teens about gardening, composting, native species, and green infrastructure, skills that mirror their own journey through our youth program. James’s leadership extends beyond the classroom and garden beds; they organize community garden events, lead stewardship of public green spaces, and present environmental issues to families and city officials, bridging the gap between grassroots action and policy advocacy.

One of James’s most impressive accomplishments came in 2024, when they coordinated a youth-driven composting initiative at a low-income housing community in Pawtucket. This project engaged residents in diverting over 1,000 pounds of food waste in just five months, demonstrating how environmental education can create tangible community impact. By empowering youth to lead this initiative, James showed that young people aren’t just the environmental leaders of tomorrow; they’re change-makers today.

James’s recognition by RIEEA validates what we’ve long believed about the power of youth-centered environmental programming. James has grown into a thoughtful leader committed to environmental justice and community care. Their career exemplifies the goals of our program: to equip young people with practical skills in sustainable farming, critical workplace competencies, and a deeper understanding of food systems and environmental issues that prepare them for careers in Rhode Island’s agriculture and environmental sectors.

As we continue to build partnerships and expand opportunities for the approximately 45 youth who participate in our program each year, James stands as an inspiration. Their journey from learning to tend crops at Galego Community Farm to coordinating programs that impact entire communities shows the ripple effect of investing in young people. Congratulations, James, on this well-deserved recognition. Thank you for showing our current Youth Staff – and all of Rhode Island – what’s possible when passion, education, and opportunity come together to create lasting environmental and social change.

SCLT 2025 Impact Report reveals community resilience

10/14/2025 admin Southside Community Land Trust

Southside Community Land Trust’s newly released 2024-2025 Impact Report tells a story of adaptation and community solidarity during a year of unprecedented financial challenge. As federal support – which comprised approximately 40% of SCLT’s budget – began eroding, the organization faced a critical question: Could it maintain its mission of providing equitable access to healthy food and economic opportunities while navigating such significant funding losses?

The answer, as detailed in the report, has been a resounding yes, though not without significant effort and strategic pivoting. Despite the funding uncertainty, SCLT’s core programs not only survived but continued to expand their reach, serving 26,000 people annually across Rhode Island through community gardens, farmer support services, workforce development programs, and healthy food access initiatives. The organization’s 25 community gardens, spanning 6.42 urban acres, continue to provide 325 gardeners speaking 34 languages with space to grow culturally familiar foods, a testament to SCLT’s deep roots in Rhode Island’s diverse communities.

Perhaps most impressively, SCLT’s food distribution efforts scaled dramatically even amid financial constraints. Through its Healthy Food Access Program, the organization collected and distributed 60,000 pounds of produce in 2025, generating $350,000 in revenue for local farmers. The program’s success reflects years of relationship-building with 45 farmers managing operations across 74.75 acres. Meanwhile, programs like Veggie Rx, which provides weekly bags of seasonal, culturally familiar produce valued at $30-$35, and free farm stand giveaways at 13 community events reached 1,200 people who might otherwise lack access to fresh, affordable food.

The report reveals that local support grew substantially in 2025, though it hasn’t yet fully replaced the 40% federal funding loss. Executive Director Margaret DeVos and Board President Rochelle Lee acknowledge that the organization continues to anticipate decreases in USDA support as multi-year contracts expire without renewal. However, they emphasize that vital programs, including the 404 Broad Healthy Food Hub, aggregation partnerships, Veggie Rx, and Free Farm Stand initiatives, remain strong because “our local funding community has stepped up to support them.”

SCLT’s Workforce Development program, which serves 30 youth annually aged 14-24, exemplifies the organization’s commitment to long-term community transformation despite funding uncertainty. With 93% of participants going on to college or the workforce, 60% returning for multiple seasons, and 90% considering careers in agriculture, environmental science, or food policy, the program represents an investment in the next generation of food system leaders that SCLT refuses to abandon even in challenging times.

However, the situation has grown more urgent since the impact report was compiled. The federal government shutdown on October 1st has thrown SCLT’s carefully managed budget into crisis mode. The anticipated erosion of federal funding that the organization had been strategically preparing for throughout 2025 has suddenly accelerated into an immediate emergency, forcing cuts to the very programs highlighted in this impact report as success stories.

The timing is particularly cruel: just as local support was growing to help bridge the federal funding gap, the shutdown has created an immediate cash flow crisis that threatens to undermine years of careful community building. The Aggregation Program that generated $350,000 for farmers, the Veggie Rx initiative serving vulnerable families, and the Workforce Development program investing in young people’s futures are all now facing reductions. For an organization that has spent decades demonstrating resilience and adaptation, this moment represents perhaps its most significant test, not of its mission or its impact, but of whether the community it has served so faithfully will be able to sustain it through a crisis not of its making.

For Rhode Islanders who have witnessed SCLT’s evolution over nearly four decades, the 2024-2025 Impact Report demonstrates both what’s been accomplished through community partnership and what’s now at stake. The numbers tell a story of growth and impact; the current moment asks whether that story can continue.

Growing Forward: Major Garden Improvements Transform SCLT’s Community Spaces

08/22/2025 admin Community Garden, Galego, Southside Community Land Trust

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This year has been transformative for SCLT’s community gardens network, with major infrastructure upgrades across multiple sites that have dramatically improved both functionality and gardener satisfaction. These improvements represent years of planning and community input, addressing longstanding challenges while setting the foundation for continued growth and accessibility.

The most comprehensive transformation took place at Brattle Garden, where the entire layout received a complete overhaul. Working alongside Building Futures and dedicated gardeners, SCLT staff tore out old rotting beds and removed unused, deteriorating infrastructure that had accumulated over years of piecemeal additions. The garden’s previous layout had been chronically underused, with dead spaces that went unmaintained and an inefficient design that made management difficult. The new layout gives each plot significantly more space, allows gardeners with multiple plots to have them conjoined, and eliminates the problematic dead zones. The results speak for themselves: the garden looks better than it ever has during SCLT’s tenure, gardeners express consistent satisfaction with their improved spaces, and the maintenance burden on staff has been notably reduced.

Safety and security improvements were prioritized at Potter Garden, where the old fence presented both aesthetic and functional problems. The previous barrier varied wildly in height, standing just three feet tall in some sections while reaching six feet in others, creating an inconsistent and inadequate perimeter. The new uniform six-foot fence not only improves security but also promises greater longevity, protecting the garden investment for years to come. A final seven-foot section remains to be completed in the coming weeks, which will wrap up this important security upgrade.

At Glenham Garden, a long-awaited dream became reality with the completion of a proper shade and rain shelter. For years, the garden had only a frame structure covered by temporary tarps; hardly a long-term solution for gardeners seeking protection from serious weather. Thanks to generous donor support, Down City Design was able to install a proper roof and create a complete outdoor workspace that fits the space perfectly. The project included new bench and table arrangements with built-in storage, plus a dedicated washing counter. The old table was relocated to Garfield Garden, where it fits better and serves that community’s needs. Gardeners have expressed tremendous satisfaction with finally having reliable protection from rain and sun during their garden work.

Galego Garden benefited from a People’s Garden grant that enabled significant site improvements focused on accessibility and youth programming. The project involved regrading the front area and rerouting pathways to improve both pedestrian and vehicle access for supply deliveries. New gravel pathways reduce dead space and help with ongoing weed management challenges. The work also opened up attractive new planting areas for both youth participants and community gardeners. Beyond the physical improvements, the grant allowed the garden to acquire high-quality compost to enrich growing conditions and beekeeping equipment for Ana, one of the garden leaders, enabling her to introduce young people to basic beekeeping skills as part of expanded educational programming.

Looking ahead to the coming season, SCLT is preparing for another significant accessibility initiative thanks to support from the Sherlock Center’s Access for All Abilities Mini Grant. Construction will begin this November on accessible raised garden beds at both Charles Street and Garfield community gardens. The project will install four new wheelchair-accessible raised beds designed at optimal heights with proper clearance for gardeners using wheelchairs, walkers, or those who have difficulty bending. Each location will also receive adaptive gardening tools with ergonomic handles and new stabilized pathways connecting the beds to entrances and water sources.

These accessibility improvements directly respond to longstanding requests from seniors at the Charles Street senior living complex and clients of Progresso Latino who have wanted to participate in community gardening but faced physical barriers. The project addresses a critical gap in inclusive outdoor recreation opportunities, ensuring that disability is no longer a barrier to experiencing the therapeutic benefits, nutritional advantages, and meaningful social connections that flourish in SCLT’s gardens. Construction will be completed by early spring 2026, with celebratory spring planting events planned to welcome new gardeners of all abilities to these transformed spaces.

Together, these infrastructure investments reflect SCLT’s commitment to creating sustainable, welcoming, and accessible spaces where all community members can thrive. From improved layouts and enhanced security to weather protection and universal design, these upgrades ensure our gardens will continue serving Providence’s diverse neighborhoods for decades to come, adapting to meet the evolving needs of our growing gardening community.

Record Crowds Gather for 33rd Annual Plant Sale

07/07/2025 admin Southside Community Land Trust

Design & illustration by Cathy G. Johnson

Southside Community Land Trust’s 33rd Annual Rare & Unusual Plant Sale achieved unprecedented success this May drawing record-breaking crowds and becoming the organization’s most well-attended Plant Sale to date. With beautiful weather blessing the two-day event at City Farm, more than 1,200 people attended on Day One alone, creating an atmosphere of excitement and community spirit that we’re still celebrating.

Nearly 20,000 plants found new homes across Rhode Island during the weekend event, from rare perennials donated by local nurseries to thousands of vegetable starts that will feed families throughout the growing season. The sale featured an extensive selection of fruit, vegetable, herb, and perennial plants, with unique varieties that drew gardeners from across the state to 168 West Clifford Street in Providence.

The event’s success was powered by an extraordinary volunteer effort that included friends old and new, dedicated SCLT Board members, and corporate volunteers from Fidelity Investments and Care New England. Every staff member contributed to making the weekend run smoothly, from dawn setup crews to those who stayed until the last plant found its home. The positive energy was enhanced by talented musicians who provided the perfect soundtrack to the botanical celebration, keeping spirits high throughout both days.

As SCLT’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Plant Sale proceeds directly support the organization’s community gardens and farms, education programs, and advocacy for equal access to healthy, affordable foods. The record attendance demonstrates a growing movement of people committed to local food justice, sustainability, and community-supported agriculture in Rhode Island.

The success of the weekend was made possible through generous partnerships with local businesses. Food donors including Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Blount Fine Foods, Seven Stars Bakery, BJ’s Wholesale, Krakatoa Garden LLC, and Costco provided sustenance for volunteers and staff throughout the two-day event. Local nurseries including Briggs Nursery, Blue Moon Nursery, Issimia Nursery, Blithewold, Homegrown RI, Stamp Farm, Central Nurseries, and Jacavone donated rare and unusual perennials that made the sale truly special.

The impact of the Plant Sale extends beyond the weekend itself. Remaining plants were donated to more than 20 community organizations and local producers, including libraries, community centers, gardens, and food justice organizations throughout Rhode Island. These donations ensure that the Plant Sale’s mission of promoting sustainable urban agriculture and green spaces continues to benefit communities across the state.

The electric energy and community support witnessed during the 33rd Annual Plant Sale has already generated excitement for next year’s event. Plant Sale enthusiasts can mark their calendars now for the 34th Annual Rare & Unusual Plant Sale, scheduled for May 16 & 17, 2026. With this year’s record-breaking success setting a new standard, the countdown to Plant Sale 2026 begins today!

SCLT Achieves Remarkable Success in 2025 401Gives Campaign

04/03/2025 admin Southside Community Land Trust

Southside Community Land Trust is grateful to our community for showing up in a major way during this year’s 401Gives campaign, helping us finish as the 13th top fundraiser among 644 participating nonprofit organizations statewide. Through the incredible generosity of 150 donors and a matching fund, we raised an impressive $56,000 to support our mission of fostering equitable access to land and markets, providing education, and creating opportunities for Rhode Islanders to grow food in environmentally sustainable ways while building food systems that offer culturally familiar, locally produced, affordable, and healthy food.

This remarkable achievement comes at a critical time for SCLT as we continue expanding our impact across Rhode Island’s food system. Your donations directly bolster vital connections between our youth programs and farmer support initiatives to build a stronger, more sustainable food system for all Rhode Islanders.

The success of our 401Gives campaign enables us to maintain our youth development pathway, offering meaningful opportunities at every stage. From young children exploring gardening through our summer learning program with Violet’s Village, to high school students gaining workforce experience, to young adult interns building specialized skills, and farm apprentices receiving intensive hands-on training through our paid full-time, part-time, and federally registered programs – your support makes these transformative opportunities possible.

Simultaneously, your generosity helps sustain our network of 28 small-scale farmers who grow culturally familiar, nutritious food for our communities. These farmers depend on SCLT to access land, training, and markets. With recent cuts to USDA funding, your support is crucial to maintain our crop purchasing program that sustains farmers’ livelihoods and provides fresh food to nutrition-insecure Rhode Islanders. The funds raised during 401Gives will help us maintain momentum despite the challenges posed by frozen or canceled federal contracts.

Rhode Island’s response to this year’s 401Gives campaign was truly historic, with more than 19,300 individual donors collectively raising $4.9 million for nonprofits throughout the state. We’re proud to be part of this extraordinary demonstration of Rhode Island’s commitment to supporting organizations that deliver vital services to our communities.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our 401Gives campaign!

Black Food Liberation: Understanding History, Creating Change

02/05/2025 admin 404 Broad, Food Justice, Southside Community Land Trust

Southside Community Land Trust and Roots 2Empower invite you to join us for the first in a powerful series of workshops exploring the intersection of food justice, Black agricultural heritage, and community empowerment.

Led by Tarshire Battle, founder and executive director of Roots 2Empower, this inaugural session will examine the profound historical connections between Black communities and agriculture in the United States. Participants will gain insight into how the legacy of enslavement and subsequent land loss continues to shape contemporary food systems, while exploring pathways toward food sovereignty and community resilience.

The workshop focuses on practical applications, helping participants identify current challenges facing Black communities and define core principles of Food Liberation. Attendees will leave with concrete strategies for launching food justice initiatives that promote self-determination and equity in their own communities.

Tarshire Battle brings exceptional depth of experience to this workshop. As the leader of Roots 2Empower, a Rhode Island nonprofit advancing social justice across southern New England, she combines academic expertise with hands-on knowledge. Her background as a published author, herbalist, Master Gardener, artist, farmer, and community organizer informs her holistic approach to food justice work. Battle holds master’s degrees in Public Administration from Northeastern University and Mental Health Counseling from Boston University.

This workshop welcomes participants of all experience levels and backgrounds who are committed to understanding and advancing food justice. Future sessions in the series will build upon these foundational concepts to explore specific aspects of implementing Food Liberation projects.

Event Details: Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025 Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Location: 404 Broad Street, Providence, RI Cost: Free (donations accepted) Registration required: https://bit.ly/FoodJustice101

Space is limited. Register early to secure your spot in this groundbreaking workshop series.

Sustaining Success: SCLT’s 2024 Produce Program marks eighth season

02/05/2025 admin Southside Community Land Trust

In 2024, Southside Community Land Trust’s Produce Aggregation and VeggieRx programs demonstrated how local agriculture can effectively address food insecurity while supporting small-scale farmers. These initiatives connect local farmers with communities in need through a network of healthcare providers, educational institutions, and community organizations.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program provided crucial support this year. This federal initiative, created during the pandemic, enables organizations like SCLT to pay farmers fair market rates for their produce while distributing it through emergency food systems. The program proved transformative, helping SCLT expand its network to 14 distribution sites across Rhode Island.

Partner organizations unanimously praised the programs’ implementation, with all reporting complete satisfaction with both produce quality and program communication. More significantly, 83.3% of partners reported that their access to local fresh produce “greatly increased” through participation.

Healthcare facilities like Integra and Clínica Esperanza, educational institutions including Brown Health University, and community centers such as the West End Community Center and Beautiful Beginnings served as vital distribution hubs. This diverse partnership network ensured fresh, locally grown produce reached thousands of Rhode Island residents experiencing food insecurity.

Program participants consistently highlighted the quality and accessibility of the produce. “I had lots of fresh produce that I could use!” shared one participant. “Usually I hesitate to buy fresh veggies because I don’t want them to go to waste if I’m not feeling well enough to prep and cook in the short time they are good.” Spanish-speaking participants particularly appreciated the program’s inclusivity, with one noting, “Todo en fresco y las elecciones son muy buenas” (Everything is fresh and the selections are very good).

However, the year also revealed significant challenges. Farmers reported struggling with limited water access and insufficient land availability, with some traveling to Massachusetts to secure additional growing space. “There is not enough water on the farm,” one farmer explained. “The plants start growing well but then they start dying or there’s inconsistency of growing the same thing at different times because I get different results.”

Several farmers also requested an earlier seasonal start date to better align with spring crops. As one farmer noted, “It would be better for my business to start selling at the end of May because I have lots of things like green onions, carrots, and salad greens that are all done by July (when aggregation starts).”

The most pressing challenge ahead lies in funding sustainability. The LFPA program, which has been instrumental in the programs’ success, concludes early in the 2025 growing season. However, new opportunities for support may emerge through Senator Reed’s Expanding Access To (EAT) Local Foods Act, which would provide dedicated funding for purchasing food from small and local farmers. Additionally, Rhode Island’s Department of Health is seeking to include healthy food prescriptions under Medicaid coverage, which could further support programs like VeggieRx.

Despite these challenges, the programs’ impact remains clear. “This has been my best year of farming ever because of the support from SCLT and connections we’ve been making,” shared one farmer. Another participant noted, “The quality was always great. The recipes have taught me how to use the veggies.”

Looking ahead to 2025, SCLT continues working to secure sustainable funding while addressing farmers’ infrastructure needs. The organization’s success in 2024 demonstrates the vital role these programs play in creating a more equitable and sustainable local food system for Rhode Island.

2024: Our Year in Review

01/10/2025 admin 404 Broad, Aggregation, Community Garden, Farmland Access, Food Justice, Southside Community Land Trust

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.

SCLT Featured in Rhode Island Spotlight

01/10/2025 admin 404 Broad, Aggregation, Apprenticeship, Central Falls, City Farm, Community Garden, Cranston, Farmers Market, Farmland Access, Food Justice, Galego, Good Earth Farm, healthy food access, Pawtucket, SCLT in the News, Southside Community Land Trust, VeggieRx, Youth Program

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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Community scientists study urban garden biodiversity at Peace & Plenty

From Youth Staff to Award-Winning Environmental Leader: Celebrating James Tzul Pastor

SCLT 2025 Impact Report reveals community resilience

Growing Forward: Major Garden Improvements Transform SCLT’s Community Spaces

Record Crowds Gather for 33rd Annual Plant Sale

SCLT Achieves Remarkable Success in 2025 401Gives Campaign

Black Food Liberation: Understanding History, Creating Change

Sustaining Success: SCLT’s 2024 Produce Program marks eighth season

2024: Our Year in Review

SCLT Featured in Rhode Island Spotlight

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SCLT Featured in Rhode Island Spotlight