As demand for saffron, the world’s most expensive spice, increases in the U.S., researchers at URI’s agronomy fields are sharing their research on growing the crop locally.

Our researchers are developing new techniques to improve soil, manage pollinator habitats, and exploring how culture and food growing intersect.

Rebecca Brown works to improve local sustainable agriculture by conducting trials of vegetable varieties and production methods; integrating of cover crops into vegetable production systems; developing new ways to monitor nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization in high tunnels and improve soil organic matter using urban organic wastes; and examining the potential for new crops such as saffron to be grown in Southern New England. She also developed an automated laser scarecrow system to protect crops from birds.

John Taylor is helping to strengthening local food sovereignty, by studying the social-ecological dynamics of food production in urban and urbanizing systems at multiple scales–from home gardens to commercial farms. Recent research projects focus on immigrant growers’ participation in alternative urban food networks, the design and ecological characteristics of urban food forests, and Rhode Island’s food production capacity.

Community outreach and labs

Faculty