Press Releases

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• 11/12/2021 CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AWARDED $500,000 TO DEVELOP AND BUILD A COMPREHENSIVE FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE NETWORK

• 11/29/2021 CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RELEASES 2022 FARM VIABILITY GRANT GUIDANCE

• 5/3/2021 Connecticut Department of Agriculture Announces Updates to Farm Viability Grant

  Connecticut Department of Agriculture Announces Updates to Farm Viability Grant to Better Respond to Current Agricultural Industry Needs

• 11/16/2021 CT Grown: Shop local to prevent global supply chain issues from hindering your holidays

  With more than 5,500 farms and dozens of farmers' markets in Connecticut, high-quality and locally produced foods and goods can be found close to home

• 7/9/2021 Connecticut Department of Agriculture Urges Farmers to Report Crop Damage or Loss from Tropical Storm Elsa to USDA Farm Service Agency

  The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers and agricultural producers who may have experienced crop damage or loss due to Tropical Storm Elsa to declare a loss to their United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office. Crop losses can be modified after the initial reporting as necessary

• 1/19/2024 CT DoAg Announces Funding for Specialty Crops

  The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is now accepting applications for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) for the 2024 program year. Applicants must submit a completed application by March 4, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. using Cognito Forms.

• 1/16/2024 Connecticut Seeks Outstanding Young Farmer Nominations

  The Connecticut Agricultural Information Council (CAIC) is seeking nominations for the 2024 Connecticut Outstanding Young Farmer (OYF). Awarded annually during Ag Day at the Capitol, the Connecticut Outstanding Young Farmer Award recognizes the winner’s progress in their agricultural career, their soil and water conservation practices, and their contributions to the well-being of the community, the state, and the nation. Nomination applications must be submitted electronically via email to erin.pirro@farmcrediteast.com by Friday, February 23, 2024.

• 1/5/2024 CT DoAg Requests Public Comment

  The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) has announced a public comment period on the funding priorities for Connecticut’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program in 2024. The public is asked to submit a response through the online form by Friday, January 12, 2024, at 4 p.m. EST.

• 1/5/2024 CT DoAg Releases Agricultural Enhancement Grant

  The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce the 2024 Agricultural Enhancement Grant Program (previously known as the Farm Viability Grant) is now available for eligible Connecticut municipalities, groups of municipalities, regional councils of governments, and/or agricultural non-profit organizations for projects that directly impact or foster agricultural viability. Applications are due February 16, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.

• 1/25/2024 CT DoAg Announces Food System Capacity Building Grant

  The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg), on behalf of the CT Food Policy Council, announces the competitive solicitation process to award funds to Connecticut organizations and groups involved in food system policy or creating innovative, localized, programming in their respective communities to increase food access and address food insecurity through the Food System Capacity Building Grant. Applicants must submit a completed application by March 6, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. using Cognito Forms.

• 4/1/2021 Connecticut Food Policy Council Announces Launch of New Website and Action Plan

• 5/12/2023 Connecticut Farm Wineries Launches 2023 Passport Program

  (HARTFORD, CT) The Connecticut Farm Wine Development Council announces the start of the 2023 CT Farm Wineries passport program on Friday, May 12. The Passport to Connecticut Wine Country, which runs through December 31, 2023, encourages consumers to engage with the state’s more than 45 farm wineries — 38 of which participate in the passport program. Available as a user-friendly mobile app available on most devices, search CT Wine Passport to download from the Apple App Store and on Google Play.

• 12/1/2023 CT DOAG ANNOUNCES FARMLAND RESTORATION, CLIMATE RESILIENCY & PREPAREDNESS GRANT OPPORTUNITY

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is accepting grant proposals for the 2024 Farmland Restoration, Climate Resiliency & Disaster Preparedness Grant (RRP). Support is available to provide Connecticut agricultural producers and not for profits directly involved in production agriculture funding for investments which will increase the long-term climate resiliency of farming operations and decrease farm vulnerability to extreme weather events. Applications are due no later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

• 8/4/2023 Vibrio Statement 2023

  The Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Aquaculture routinely monitors oyster harvest areas statewide for vibrio levels during the summer months. Samples are screened for levels of total vibrio bacteria and then vibrio vulnificus and pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus levels. The bureau’s laboratory will have updated results on Friday, August 4, of Vibrio, both vibrio parahaemolyticus and vibrio vulnificus, from harvest areas statewide.

• 5/26/2023 Governor Lamont Requests Federal Agriculture Disaster Declaration Due to Crop Damage Caused by Recent Sub-Freezing Temperatures