A 25-acre greenhouse complex is looking to begin production next to University of Rhode Island’s Peckham Farm after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The project was partially funded by a $4 million state bond, which was announced in 2018 by former Governor of Rhode Island Gina Raimondo and former URI President David M. Dooley.
Rhode Island Agriculture Technologies, which combines the Rhode Island Mushroom Company and American Ag Energy, has been hired to build the Rhode Island Agricultural Innovation and Entrepreneurship Campus at URI. The project covers over 50 acres of land with 25 acres dedicated to greenhouses designed for URI student research and education.
The importance of sustainability and protecting the surrounding environment will be emphasized through the planning and production of the project, according to John Kirby, dean of the College of Environment and Life Sciences. The project aims to reduce reliance on harmful chemicals and will be designed to minimize environmental impact by abiding by state regulations and guidelines.
In addition, the new greenhouses will prioritize sustainability and efficiency by using a membrane-based flooring instead of a concrete flooring, according to Kirby.
“These greenhouses do not use a lot of the chemicals you see in traditional farming,” Kirby said. “Rather than having to protect the crops with chemicals, you protect them with the physical barriers that the greenhouse provides. It’s much more sustainable.”
The location of the greenhouse complex next to West Kingston Elementary School has raised questions about potential impacts on the surrounding community, according to an article from ECORI News in August . However, the project is being developed with consideration for its neighbors.
Along with the fence already surrounding the elementary school, a second fence provides another layer of protection from the construction, according to Ryan Carrillo, the director of planning and real estate development at URI.
An architect and engineer are under contract to work on designing the greenhouse complex, according to Carrillo. The construction for the project will begin once the permitting process is completed.
URI offers learning opportunities through its existing greenhouses and Peckham Farm, which are used for undergraduate education and faculty and student research. However, the new agricultural campus will expand these offerings significantly by providing students with the opportunity to interact and collaborate with RIAT and new agricultural technologies, according to Carrillo.
“There are a lot of opportunities for students here too, especially students interested in engineering, computer science and agriculture,” Kirby said.
Once operational, the greenhouses will produce crops 24 hours a day and seven days a week, according to Kirby. This crop production will not only promote continuous student research at URI, but provide fresh produce for South Kingstown.