PORTSMOUTH — The whole community can learn about sustainable agriculture under a new program announced by the The Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm.

The student-run farm, a partnership between the Portsmouth School District and the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District (ERICD), is making family farm plots available to community members for the spring and summer growing season. The 4x25-foot plots are located at the Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm at Cloverbud Ranch on Jepson Lane. 

Everything about the farm is focused on education around sustainable agriculture. 

“Kids these days are so disconnected from where food is grown. To them, food comes from the fridge,” said Margie Brennan, the school district’s science coach and coordinator for the project. “We wanted to give kids an opportunity to learn about sustainable agriculture by doing it.” 

Portsmouth Middle School has been a key partner in the project and will hold STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education classes, as well as after-school programs at the farm.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Americans’ diets are out of balance with federal recommendations. 

“While people in the United States are consuming more vegetables and fruit than in 1970, the average U.S. diet still falls short of the recommendations in the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans for these major food groups,” according to the USDA.

“This is a project that will positively affect the entire island community. Children and families will be introduced-nsible for maintaining their plot and must adhere to safety regulations. 

To sign up, visit www.easternriconservation.org/aginnovation-farm, or e-mail Margie Brennan at brennanm2@portsmouthschoolsri.org. For more information on ERICD, or to sign up for e-mail updates, visit www.easternriconservation.org.