Mark your calendars for SCLT’s most important fundraiser of the year: the 33rd Annual Rare & Unusual Plant Sale returns to City Farm on May 17 and 18, 2025. This beloved community tradition comes at a critical moment as we face unprecedented challenges from federal funding freezes that threaten many of our core programs.
The event showcases an extraordinary collection of 20,000 city-grown, city-sown plants, each nurtured with care using organic and regenerative practices at our greenhouse in City Farm—Rhode Island’s longest operating urban production and demonstration farm. From vibrant vegetables and aromatic herbs to fruit, medicinals, edible flowers, native perennials, and truly unique varieties you won’t find elsewhere, the Plant Sale offers something for every garden and gardener.
Live music will fill the air throughout the weekend, featuring performances by Circle of the Drum, Chris Monti, Phil Edmonds, Mira Goldman, the ‘Mericans, Kenny Ells, Karen Isenberg, The Stinging Nettles (featuring Raffini, Ellen, Dan & Tammy), and other musical surprises. The festive atmosphere belies the serious purpose behind this year’s sale: your purchase directly funds programs now at risk due to federal funding cuts.
SCLT Members enjoy special benefits, including an exclusive preview hour at 9:00am on Saturday, May 17, a 10% discount on all plant purchases, and 50 gallons of organic compost—a $110 value—free with membership. This year, your membership and plant purchases are more crucial than ever, helping us continue our farmer training, youth programs, produce prescription initiatives, community gardens, and urban farm operations despite significant financial challenges.
When you shop at the Plant Sale, you’re not just starting your garden—you’re helping us weather a financial storm. Your purchases directly support our mission to build equity and resilience into Rhode Island’s food system, meeting the food access and economic needs of historically underserved communities in Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls. Last year alone, 25,000 people ate food grown on SCLT farms, 50 emerging adults found employment in our Youth Program, and 40 small-scale farmers—predominantly farmers of color—operated 28 small farm businesses on our land.
As federal funding cuts threaten to reduce our capacity to serve, your participation in the Plant Sale becomes an act of community solidarity. Every seedling purchased helps sustain the programs that our communities rely on for food security and economic opportunity. Join us at City Farm (168 West Clifford Street, Providence, RI) on May 17 and 18 from 10:00am to 2:00pm, and help us continue growing not just plants, but hope, opportunity, and resilience for Rhode Island’s food system.
Want to get more involved? Register to volunteer during the Plant Sale or learn more about becoming an SCLT Member.
