A group of Portsmouth students have been awarded The President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA), a prestigious national award which recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects developed by K-12 youth. The students need to raise funds to cover transportation and lodging costs to accept the award at the Environmental Protection Agency's award ceremony on August 4, 2022 in Washington D.C.

The winning project is the establishment of the Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm, a student-driven, community farm program where kids learn about sustainable agriculture with hands-on problem-solving experiences.

Eastern RI Conservation District (ERICD) is the fiscal agent for the Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm. Any proceeds raised above the travel funding need will support the farm’s program fund.

More about the project and award:

Since 1971, the President of the United States has joined with EPA to recognize young people for protecting our nation's air, water, land, and ecology.

The AgInnovation Farm program is in partnership with Portsmouth Middle School and Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District. AgInnovation student, Anabella Barber, said, “AgInnovation is an amazing learning environment. What makes it appealing is that everyone has the option to choose what activity they want to take part in on the farm. Whether it’s helping with irrigation, building new tables for the schoolhouse, or just hanging out with the chickens, everyone is participating in something they truly enjoy.”

The recognition has been announced and the students are trying to make their way to Washington D.C. for the EPA’s award ceremony on August 4 to accept the award. AgInnovation and ERICD have teamed up with the students and their parents to fund the trip. The Grand Hyatt has graciously offered a reduced lodging rate and the students have elected to take the train to DC to reduce costs. A fundraising goal of $5,000 has been set to cover transport and lodging. AgInnovation parent, Monica DeAngelis said, “Some of our student winners have never been to Washington, DC, so in addition to attending the award ceremony, they also hope to take in some of the sights and sounds of the area.” She added, “This award is a huge deal, not only for the kids, but the whole community and we want them to have the opportunity to attend the ceremony.”

The students being recognized are Tatum Brennan, Maggie Mullen, Brooke O’Brien, Noah Sidewand, Owen Sidewand, Anabella Barber, Rowen Willet, Stella McInerney, Aurelius Brockman, Elle McFadden, Elizabeth Lantz, Fiona Sarro, Olivia Purdy, Olivia Almilli, Dahlia Brilhante, and Cameron Davis.

Send AgInnovation Students to Washington DC!

Students Win President's Environmental Youth Award

Team Members