Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) Grants Program
Forecasted
Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) Grants Program supports Rhode Island farmers, fishers, and food producers through projects that grow local agriculture and seafood and strengthen a safe, sustainable food system.
Funder: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $20,000 per award; projects may last up to 24 months
Summary: LASA grants support projects that strengthen Rhode Island’s local agriculture, seafood, and food system.
Key Information: Capital grants are limited to small or beginning farmers and their producer groups, including aquaculture operators.
Description
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s Division of Agriculture administers the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) Grants Program. Established under a 2012 law and now funded by the state, it supports the growth, development, and marketing of Rhode Island food and seafood. Projects can improve market access, competitiveness, and the viability of a safe, sustainable local food system.
The program’s priorities include supporting underinvested, beginning, small, women, and veteran producers and fishers; second-generation farmers and succession planning; climate-smart practices; new products and value-added processing; producer partnerships; agricultural land protection; and on-farm food safety. Applicants must address at least one annual funding priority.
