KINGSTON, R.I., — April 20, 2018 — The University of Rhode Island is rolling out the red carpet for the premiere of two new episodes of the Rhode Island PBS series, Harvesting Rhode Island, April 25 at 7 p.m. at Edwards Hall, 64 Upper College Road, on the Kingston campus.

The PBS series showcases local farms and promotes public awareness about this historically significant way of life. Episodes explore how farmers remain competitive in the 21st century through new initiatives that promote sustainability and consumer engagement.

“This engaging event will showcase the University’s leading role in agricultural science and innovation, as we work to help make healthy, local food sustainable and available to all,” said John Kirby, dean of the College of the Environment and Life Sciences.

In addition to University administrators and faculty, local, state and federal leaders will attend, including George E. Krivda, Jr., the state director for U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development for Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. This event will be free and open to the public. Audience members will walk a red carpet leading into Edwards Auditorium to view two half-hour episodes scheduled to air on PBS this summer.

The episodes will focus on Wright’s Dairy Farm in North Smithfield and Emma Acres, a dairy farm in Exeter. Also featured will be Blackbird Farm in Smithfield, which raises cattle and pigs, and Narrow Lane Orchard in North Kingstown, which grows a variety of apples, as well as peaches, blueberries, nectarines and kiwi berries.

“We congratulate Alex Caserta and the crew of Harvesting Rhode Island for the awards that enable new episodes to be produced,” said David W. Piccerelli, president of WSBE Rhode Island PBS. “Harvesting Rhode Island brings critical, behind the scenes attention to the historically significant and endangered way of life on the farm. The series also broadens the popular notion of ‘farming’ by introducing locations where flowers, bees, sod, and shellfish are cultivated, as well as more traditional farms of fruits, vegetables, and livestock. We look forward to presenting the new episodes to our Rhode Island PBS television audience.”

The evening will include a discussion with faculty and staff from URI’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences and an audience Q and A.

The event is sponsored by URI’s Business Engagement Center and the Rhode Island Food Center at URI. The Center, launched in 2017, harnesses the University’s agricultural and business innovation expertise, helping to drive Rhode Island’s food economy. A public/private partnership, the effort convenes growers, researchers and industry for collaboration; and provides students with practical experience in the food sector.