Press Releases

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• 4/29/2022 Connecticut Department of Agriculture Awards 33 Farms Transition Grants Totaling $515,953

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt announces that the Connecticut Department of Agriculture has awarded funds to 33 projects from the Farm Transition Grant (FTG) program, totaling $515,953 to strengthen the economic viability of Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives seeking to expand, diversify, and improve their existing operation.

• 12/8/2022 Pesce Farm in Bolton Permanently Protected

  (Hartford, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is pleased to announce the preservation of Pesce Farm in Bolton. This 68-acre farm was protected in concert with Connecticut Farmland Trust (CFT), USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), and Bolton Land Trust bringing the tally of farms protected this calendar year by CT DoAg to five farms and 333 acres. Since the inception of the program in 1979 the state has protected 404 farms and 47,679 acres.

• 1/5/2022 Connecticut State Plan For Hemp Production Approved By United States Department of Agriculture

• 1/14/2022 Farm Transition Grant Features Four Dynamic Categories To Support Connecticut Agriculture Producers

  The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce the 2022 Farm Transition Grant (FTG) application period will open on Tuesday, January 18.

• 3/25/2022 Connecticut Department of Agriculture Announces Farm Viability Grant Recipients

  $337,000 Awarded to 11 Connecticut Municipalities and Agricultural Non-Profits to Foster, Sustain, Develop, and Promote Local Agriculture

• 9/29/2022 Livestock Owners Urged to Be Aware of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) After Recent Detections in White-Tailed Deer in Connecticut

  The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is urging livestock owners to be aware of signs of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD). This follows the recent announcement by Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) that EHD has been confirmed in white-tailed deer for the third year since first detected in our state in 2017.

• 2/4/2022 Connecticut Department of Agriculture Announces CT Grown 4 CT Kids Grant Recipients

  $225,000 Awarded to 13 Public School Districts, Early Childcare Providers, Non-profits, and Small Businesses to Develop Farm-to-School Programs

• 10/6/2022 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected In New Haven County Connecticut

  (HARTFORD) Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was detected in a backyard flock in New Haven County on October 4, 2022. The backyard flock, consisting of turkeys, guinea fowl and chickens, were pets, not commercial poultry. Samples were sent to the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab (CVMDL) for testing.

• 10/6/2022 Connecticut Department of Agriculture Celebrates Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids Week

  (HARTFORD) The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg), along with partners from the CT Farm to School Collaborative, Food Corps, and State Department of Education, visited Environmental Science Magnet School in Hartford today to celebrate Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids Week happening statewide through October 7.

• 6/9/2022 Pick-Your-Own Connecticut Grown Strawberries

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut’s pick-your-own farms are bursting with ripe, juicy strawberries ready to be eaten. Now is the time to visit a Connecticut berry patch for a fun experience with family and friends!

• 11/17/2022 Connecticut Department of Agriculture Releases Climate Smart Farming: Agriculture & Forestry Grant Guidance

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is pleased to announce the Climate Smart Farming: Agriculture and Forestry Grant Guidance is now available with up to $7 million available in funding for projects which support climate smart farming practices. Funding is provided through Public Act 22-118 Sec 12(b)(70) which provides $7 million for fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. Applications are due no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, January 16, 2023.

• 3/2/2022 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Non-Commercial Backyard Flock in New London County

  Poultry producers and hobbyists encouraged to practice biosecurity measures to prevent spread of the disease

• 3/31/2022 Connecticut Department of Agriculture Investigates Contaminated Milk Incident

  (STATEWIDE) The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) Bureau of Regulatory Services is investigating an incident involving Guida’s Dairy in New Britain, CT. The incident is regarding 1% low-fat half-pint milk cartons with a sell by date of APR 11 that contains diluted sanitizer.

• 3/24/2022 Connecticut Milk Promotion Board Announces Funding Opportunities

• 7/15/2022 Connecticut Milk Promotion Board Awards $500,000 To Increase Sales of Milk and Dairy Products

  (HARTFORD, CT) –The Connecticut Milk Promotion Board (CT MPB), administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg), has awarded three grants totaling $500,000 to projects that align with their strategic vision to increase purchases and expand the access of milk and dairy products to consumers, retailers, institutions, and other applicable outlets