Our Mission

Our mission is to bring innovation to Rhode Island agriculture. We are only as strong as our workforce and we constantly reinvest in our workforce. Both in training and in knowledge, ensuring that they are well-versed greenhouse technicians. Rhode Island Grows will shape the future of agriculture by leading the Northeast through sustainable advanced technologies, acumen, food security, and the development of nutritious local varietals picked ripe year round.

We have a need for local wealth creation.

Wealth creation is not riches, but more resources. It is taking human effort and combining it with raw materials to create value greater than the sum of its parts. It is turning the local food model from 98% imports into an export. We can and will become the source of choice for produce in the market, thereby turning regional food consumption from a wealth exporter, to a wealth importer.

Employment is at the top of our list.

The human capital element is critical to Rhode Island Grows. The majority of jobs in the current local farming model are seasonal. For the benefit of our community as well as our business success, we will be hiring full time, living wage jobs into all positions. Continuous education, training and advancement throughout our workforce will lead us to greater harvest yields, superior quality, and enhanced profitability.

Jobs in farming like never before. Year round, high paying jobs, with continued training and room for growth.

Having a knowledgeable and properly trained staff is at the top of our list. We will be hiring the best growers available with proven records of accomplishment. Ongoing training for everyone in the grow operation and packing facility is essential for a consistently high quality product.

Employment is at the top of our list.

The human capital element is critical to Rhode Island Grows. The majority of jobs in the current local farming model are seasonal. For the benefit of our community as well as our business success, we will be hiring full time, living wage jobs into all positions. Continuous education, training and advancement throughout our workforce will lead us to greater harvest yields, superior quality, and enhanced profitability.

Jobs in farming like never before. Year round, high paying jobs, with continued training and room for growth.

Having a knowledgeable and properly trained staff is at the top of our list. We will be hiring the best growers available with proven records of accomplishment. Ongoing training for everyone in the grow operation and packing facility is essential for a consistently high quality product.

A win for the employees and the community.

We have committed to creating an advanced, comprehensive, state-of-the-art training program in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, RINLA, the University of Rhode Island and others to build a workforce to exceed expectations in our greenhouses. Our training program will be focused on a “Learn while you earn” model that not only develops our workforce acumen in specific competencies, but also develops the individual supplying them with industry accredited certificates and a path to degrees and further continuing education in all areas of our business. This will position us to generate and nurture qualified employees to effectively utilize the capital resources that we are putting in place.

We have a need for local wealth creation.

Wealth creation is not riches, but more resources. It is taking human effort and combining it with raw materials to create value greater than the sum of its parts. It is turning the local food model from 98% imports into an export. We can and will become the source of choice for produce in the market, thereby turning regional food consumption from a wealth exporter, to a wealth importer.

A win for the employees and the community.

We have committed to creating an advanced, comprehensive, state-of-the-art training program in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, RINLA, the University of Rhode Island and others to build a workforce to exceed expectations in our greenhouses. Our training program will be focused on a “Learn while you earn” model that not only develops our workforce acumen in specific competencies, but also develops the individual supplying them with industry accredited certificates and a path to degrees and further continuing education in all areas of our business. This will position us to generate and nurture qualified employees to effectively utilize the capital resources that we are putting in place.

Wealth creation simple:

When considering the two economies in Rhode Island, they appear from the street to be the same. Local folks that you may even know work and greet you at both. They both give to local organizations and display a genuine concern for the community, even the metrics are the same until the last factor. The global economy does not reinvest in your community directly, despite what some may say. The local economy however, does reinvest... every minute. Adding wealth-creating local businesses compounds that effect tenfold competing with imports and bringing revenues in from exports. Add to this the use of banks with high local loan volumes... 100 fold. The answer for Schartner Farms is also the answer for Rhode Island... we need to grow our way out.