Farming has a deep history in Rhode Island. To this day, agriculture is one of Rhode Island's top industries, with farmland covering around 10% percent of our little state's 69,000 acres, producing nursery and greenhouse products, sweet corn, apples, and potatoes. Rhode Island's history of farming goes all the way back to 1636 when Native Americans taught Roger Williams their agriculture techniques and he established the first farm on Prudence Island. Our state is steeped in farming history, and we found some beautiful pictures of historic Rhode Island farms to celebrate our state's farming past.
1. The Casey farm in Saunderstown was established in 1750 and still functions as a working farm.
2. Watson Farm in Jamestown was first settled by Europeans in 1789 and is now open to the public.
3. Now an environmental education center, Prescott Farm in Middletown was established in 1730.
4. Mitchell Farm on Block Island is preserved by the Block Island Conservancy.
5. Waterman-Windsor Farm in Greenville, where the earliest part of the house may have been constructed in 1710.
6. The Swiss Village Farm in Newport is now a non-profit preserving rare breeds of livestock.
7. Commodore Oliver Perry Farm, built in 1785 or 1815 in South Kingstown.
8. The Todd farmhouse in North Smithfield was built in 1740 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
9. Budlong Farm in Warwick is on the National Register of Historic Places and was built sometime between 1700 and 1720.
10. Dame Farm in Johnston was established in 1890 and is now a Pick-Your-Own apple orchard.
10. Coggeshall Farm in Bristol is a working museum where visitors can experience farm life from the 1790's.
Did any of you grow up on a Rhode Island farm or have great memories of one? Share them in the comments below.
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