HARVESTING RHODE ISLAND - SEASON ONE
HARVESTING RHODE ISLAND WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE IN 2014.
“HARVESTING RHODE ISLAND” IS A TELEVISION SERIES WITH RHODE ISLAND PBS – TV AND WILL PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS THROUGH FOLK LIFE STUDIES BY INTERPRETING HOW THIS HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT WAY OF LIFE ON THE FARM WILL MANAGE TO SURVIVE. THE PILOT WILL EXPLORE HOW TRADITIONAL SYSTEMS CAN BE CREATIVELY MAINTAINED AND BECOME MORE OF A DYNAMIC MARKETPLACE. INTRODUCING THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO THE FARMERS OF RHODE ISLAND WILL PROVIDE INSIGHTS INTO THE COMPLEX BUT EASILY TAKEN-FOR-GRANTED PROCESS BEHIND PRODUCTS THEY CONSUME.
IT WILL TELL THE CENTRAL STORY OF HOW THE FARMERS HAVE RESPONDED TO CHANGING TECHNOLOGY AND MARKETS SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS. GROWERS HAVE HAD TO BALANCE THE TRADITIONAL APPROACHES THAT WERE HANDED DOWN TO THEM WITH THE VARIABLE REALITIES OF TODAY’S BUSINESS CLIMATE. IN THE LATTER PART OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY LOCAL WHOLESALE MARKETS BEGAN TO SHRINK DUE TO LARGE RETAILERS’ AND NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS. AS A RESULT GROWERS INCREASED THEIR DIRECT MARKETING THROUGH ON-SITE RETAIL STANDS, PICK YOUR OWN PROGRAMS, FARMERS MARKETS AND SELLING THROUGH FARM FRESH TO LOCAL RETAILERS. THIS DIRECT APPROACH HAS IN TURN STIMULATED DIVERSIFICATION TO SATISFY THE ECLECTIC TASTES OF INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED CONSUMERS. . A LARGE NUMBER OF CONSUMERS IN RHODE ISLAND ARE UNAWARE OF THE LOCATIONS AND VARIETY OF CROPS THAT ARE GROWN IN THE STATE AND WHERE TO PURCHASE THEM. "HARVESTING RHODE ISLAND" WILL RING THEM ON LOCATION SO THEY CAN SEE THE FARMS AND LISTEN TO THE FARMER'S STORIES.
THE EDUCATED CONSUMER WILL PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THE FARMS IN RHODE ISLAND.
ALEX CASERTA SOREN SORRENSEN JASON ROSSI PREMIERS JANUARY 2015
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER DIRECTOR / EDITOR DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY RHODE ISLAND PBS
PORTSMOUTH NURSERY
ONE OF THE ORIGINAL FARMING FAMILIES IN RI. THE FAMILY HOLDS A PATENT ON THE "AMY CARTER" RHODODENDRON SOLD ACROSS THE COUNTRY. LARGE SELECTION OF PRODUCTS.
LOCATED ON 1350 EAST MAIN ROAD, PORTSMOUTH, RI
OWNERS HENRY (3RD. GENERATION), STEVE AND JEAN COTTA (4TH. GENERATION).
ESTABLISHED IN LATE 1800'S BY FAMILY MEMBERS WHO MIGRATED FROM THE AZORES, PORTUGAL.
RHODE ISLAND NURSERIES
IN 1995 THE NURSERY TURNED 100 YEARS OLD. GREAT GRANDFATHER WORKED FOR NOBILITY. WIDE SELECTION OF PRODUCTS INCLUDING THE YEWS BEING THE MOST POPULAR VARIETY AND FLOWERING SHURBS SUCH AS THE JAPANESE MAPLE.
LOCATED 736 EAST MAIN ROAD, MIDDLETOWN, RI
OWNER BRUCE VANICEK 4TH. GENERATION.
ESTABLISHED IN 1885 BY FAMILY MEMBER VENCESLAUS A. VANICEK
WHO MIGRATED FROM CZECHOSLOVAKIA
HOOGENDOORN NURSERIES
ONE OF THE OLDEST NURSERIES IN RI.
CARRIES A LARGE VARIETY OF PRODUCTS.
ACTIVITES ON THE NURSERY INCLUDE
PROPAGATION AND GRAFTING.
LOCATED TURNER ROAD, MIDDLETOWN, RI
OWNERS DIXON AND VICTOR HOODENDOORN 2ND. GENERATION
ESTABLISHED IN 1921 BY CORNELIUS "CASE" HOOGENDOORN WHO
MIGRATED FROM BOSKOOP, HOLLAND.
MAPLE DELL FARM - LOIE FULLER'S RESTAURANT
THIS IS REAL FARM TO TABLE. PRODUCTS ARE
RAISED IN FOSTER, RI AND USED IN THE RESTAURANT FOR DINNER. ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS ARE PURCHASED FROM LOCAL SUPPLIERS.
LOCATED 1455 WESTMINSTER STREET, PROVIDENCE, RI
OWNERS DESI AND ERIC WOLF
ESTABLISHED 2007
RHODE ISLAND MUSHROOM CO.
ONE OF THE LARGEST GROWERS OF EXOTIC MUSHROOMS ON THE EAST COAST. SUPPLIERS TO MANY LOCAL RESTAURANTS IN RI, BOSTON, AND OTHER LOCATIONS. PRODUCTS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS.
LOCATION 141 FAIRGROUNDS ROAD, KINGSTON, RI
OWNERS MIKE HALLOCK AND BOB DI PIETRO
ESTABLISHED 2011
GREENVALE VINEYARDS
LOCATED ON A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF PROPERTY ALONG THE SAKONNET RIVER. FARMHOUSE ON THE HISTORIC REGISTER.
GREAT TASTING ROOM SERVING A SELECTION OF THEIR OWN VINTAGES FROM THE GRAPES THEY HARVEST.
LOCATION 582 WAPPING ROAD, PORTSMOUTH, RI
OWNER NANCY PARKER WILSON
FARM ESTABLISHED 1863 / VINEYARD ESTABLISHED 1982
CAROLYN'S SAKONNET VINEYARDS
BEAUTIFUL VINEYARD GROWING 12 VARIETIES OF GRAPES. TASTING ROOM WHERE THEY SERVE A A SELECTION OF THE VINTAGES. OLDEST VINEYARD IN NEW ENGLAND
LOCATION 162 W MAIN ROAD, LITTLE COMPTON, RI
OWNER CAROLYN RAFAELIAN
ESTABLISHED 1975
SALISBURY FARM
FARM OVER 100 YEARS OLD. ORIGINALLY SOLD HAY TO THE FREIGHT AND STAGECOACH LINE GOING INTO PLAINFIELD, CT.
BARN BUILT IN 1860 AND ONCE A DAIRY FARM. GROWING A LARGE VARIETY OF CROPS. PRODUCTS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE FARM AND FARMERS MARKETS.
LOCATION 11 PECK HILL ROAD, RI
OWNER WAYNE SALISBURY 5TH. GENERATION
ESTABLISHED 1860
BIG TRAIN FARM
LOCATED AT URBAN EDGE FARM. LAND IS LEASED BY THE STATE OF RI TO FARMERS STARTING UP A BUSINESS. SELLING TO LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES. BECOME A MEMBER AND PURCHASE FRESH PRODUCTS ON A WEEKLY BASIS. WIDE VARIETY OF FRESH PRODUCE.
LOCATION 35 PIPPIN ORCHARD ROAD, CRANSTON, RI
OWNER JOHN KENNY
ESTABLISHED 2008
SOUTH SIDE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST - "CITY FARM"
CITY FARM THAT EDUCATES AND GROWS GROPS. THE STEWARD WORKS WITH A STAFF, INTERNS, AND VOLUNTEERS.
THEIR IS AN APPRENTICE PROGRAM AND CLASSES FOR CHILDREN BOTH IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH.
LOCATION 109 SOMERSET STREET, PROVIDENCE, RI
STEWARD RICHARD PEDERSON
ESTABLISHED 1981