Press Releases

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• 2/10/2023 CT DoAg Announces Funding Opportunities for Connecticut Specialty Crops

  (HARTFORD) 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 2023 program year.

• 8/23/2023 USDA Announces Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Funding Awarded to Connecticut

  WASHINGTON, August 23, 2023—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today awarded over $403,000 in Fiscal Year 2023 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding to Connecticut.

• 4/28/2023 Lt. Governor, State Officials Highlight CTDCF and CTDOAG Partnership To Prevent Child Abuse and Animal Cruelty

  (Newington) - Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, state and federal officials and animal welfare advocates today discussed the connection between animal cruelty, child maltreatment and other forms of interpersonal violence.

• 2/28/2023 Connecticut Department of Agriculture Seizes Sheep from Beacon Falls Farm

  (HARTFORD, CT) – On February 24, 2023, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) executed a search and seizure warrant for animals located in Beacon Falls, CT.

• 4/11/2023 Connecticut Milk Promotion Board Awards $660,000 to Increase Consumption and Expand Access of Milk and Dairy Products

  The Connecticut Milk Promotion Board (CT MPB), administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg), has awarded three grants totaling $660,000 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.

• 2/10/2023 CT DoAg Announces Recipients of Farm Transition Grant

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) today announced the recipients of grant funds through the Farm Transition Grant (FTG), with a total of $549,649 going to 30 projects to assist Connecticut agricultural producers and cooperatives seeking to expand, diversify, and improve their existing operation.

• 4/21/2023 Connecticut Department of Agriculture Announces Release of Fifth Annual Connecticut Grown Magazine

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) announces the release of the fifth annual edition of Connecticut Grown, a guide to the state’s farms, food, and markets. This edition reflects on where Connecticut agriculture has been while looking forward and setting intentions for the future.

• 4/11/2023 Regulatory Update for Honey & Maple Syrup Producers

  The Connecticut Department of Agriculture announces a regulatory update for honey and maple syrup producers in Connecticut. The new regulations, effective February 10, 2023, are a result of Public Act 19-18, which transferred the responsibility to regulate the production and sale of Honey and Maple Syrup from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

• 4/20/2023 Motorists Reminded to Share the Road with Farm Equipment This Spring

  HARTFORD — Planting season is underway for many of Connecticut’s 5,500 farms. Motorists are likely to see more large, slow-moving farm equipment traveling Connecticut’s rural roads and highways. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture and Connecticut Department of Transportation encourage motorists to slow down, be aware, and be patient on roadways this spring.

• 6/9/2023 Connecticut Department of Agriculture Announces Launch of New Website Resource to Support Growing Farm Businesses

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) announces the launch of a new website resource to aid new and beginning farmers looking to grow their agricultural business. The list of tools and resources, an enhanced version of the New Farmer Bucket List, was compiled through collaboration of Connecticut Department of Agriculture, UConn, Connecticut Farm Bureau Association, New CT Farmer Alliance, CT Northeast Organic Farming Association, and the United States Department of Agriculture.

• 7/21/2023 Resources available to Connecticut farmers affected by flooding

• 6/2/2023 Connecticut Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian Issues 2023 Poultry Event Guidance

  The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) State Veterinarian does not recommend that organized poultry shows, sales, swaps, or events be held in 2023 due to the increased risk for introduction and transmission of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) through commingling events.

• 7/24/2023 Governor Lamont Submits Request for Federal Agriculture Disaster Declaration Due to Severe Flooding

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has submitted a request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture seeking a federal agriculture disaster declaration for all eight counties in Connecticut due to the significant damage that occurred to farms and crops statewide from the recent heavy rainfall that caused significant flooding, particularly along the Connecticut River and other waterways.

• 6/23/2023 Connecticut Department of Agriculture Announces Farm Viability Grant Recipients

  (STATEWIDE) Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt announces that the Connecticut Department of Agriculture has awarded grants to 25 entities through the Farm Viability Grant totaling more than $750,000.

• 10/30/2023 Connecticut Department of Agriculture Accepting Applications For Low-Income Pet Vaccinations and Sterilizations Starting November 1

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Animal Population Control Program (APCP) will begin accepting applications for the Low-Income Program to assist eligible Connecticut residents with vaccination and sterilization of their owned pets on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Application forms are available for download in English and Spanish at https://portal.ct.gov/DOAG/Regulatory/Regulatory/Animal-Population-Control-Program. They must be completed and returned by mail.