Rhode Island | America's Heartland (2024)

Rhode Island’s most important agricultural asset, by a wide margin, is its greenhouse and nursery industry, accounting for 64.5% of the total agricultural production value. Sweet corn, potatoes, and apples are also important crops for the “ocean state.” Rural areas support small-scale farming, including grapes for local wineries, turf grass and nursery stock. In terms of livestock, dairy products lead in Rhode Island. Other livestock products include cattle and calves, aquaculture (primarily clams and oysters), farm hogs, and farm chickens. Speaking of chickens, the start of poultry as a major American industry began in Rhode Island in 1854. Rhode Island has approximately 850 farms with average farm size of 71 acres.