Press Releases

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• 4/21/2022 Connecticut Department of Agriculture Hosts USDA Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt, Signs Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) today hosted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) at Connecticut Foodshare in Wallingford to sign a cooperative agreement under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA). Through the agreement, CT DoAg will receive funding to promote economic opportunities for Connecticut food producers. Connecticut is the second state to enter into a cooperative agreement under the program.

• 12/16/2022 Gallup Family One Step Closer to Preserving Farming Legacy

  (Hartford, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg), in cooperation with Connecticut Farmland Trust (CFT) and USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), is pleased to announce the third phase of a multi-year project to permanently protect Gallup Homestead Farm in Voluntown has been completed.

• 6/28/2022 Stars, Stripes, and Sweet Corn

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Summer is officially underway as Connecticut farmers are picking early varieties of sweet corn in time for you to celebrate our nation’s independence this upcoming weekend. Whether you are planning to invite friends and family over for a barbeque or heading to a campground or the beach, Connecticut’s farm stands and farmers’ markets have everything to fill your grill or cool you down.

• 11/2/2020 Connecticut's FFA Chapters and Students Win National Honors

• 6/1/2020 Survey Underway to Assess Availability of Food Storage and Meal Preparation Sites in Connecticut

  HARTFORD, CT – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture, in partnership with other state and local agencies, is surveying various entities on their willingness to collaborate with local emergency food distribution agencies (e.g.; local food pantry) who are seeking additional food storage space and meal preparation services for home-bound individuals and families.

• 2/10/2021 Sweet On You

  Connecticut Farmers are Passionate about Valentine's Day

• 6/22/2021 Last Call for Pick-Your-Own Connecticut Grown Strawberries

• 2/26/2021 Farm Transition Grant Restructured to Better Support Connecticut Agricultural Producers

• 3/23/2020 CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE EXECUTIVE ORDER 7H ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES

  (HARTFORD, CT) – On March 20, 2020, The Governor issued Executive Order 7H, directing all businesses and nonprofit entities in the State of Connecticut to utilize, to the maximum extent possible, any telecommuting or work from home procedures that they can safely employ. That order also directed that, no later than March 23, 2020 at 8 p.m., each non-essential business or nonprofit entity (and therefore not including or applicable to any state or local government agencies, quasi-public agencies, political subdivisions or other entities that do not constitute businesses or nonprofits) shall reduce the in-person workforce at each business location by 100% from pre-state of emergency declaration employment levels. Executive Order 7H authorized the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development (“DECD”) to provide legally binding guidance about which businesses are essential.

• 3/10/2021 Governor Lamont Announces Creation of Working Group To Encourage Racial Diversity and Inclusion in Connecticut Agriculture

• 3/10/2021 Connecticut Department of Agriculture Seizes 65 Goats in Redding

• 3/18/2020 Connecticut Farmers Markets and Farm Stands OPEN

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut residents seeking fresh, local foods are advised that farm stands and farmers’ markets remain open for business. As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture has worked with Governor Lamont’s office to clarify that these entities are not currently affected by the Executive Order.

• 5/8/2020 Supporting the Shellfish Industry During the COVID 19 Pandemic

  (HARTFORD, CT) - The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is collaborating with state and federal partners on the development of a phased response to support shellfish farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The innovative program will enable shellfish farmers to contribute to the rehabilitation of the state’s natural shellfish beds, and to receive compensation for their work, which will occur in two distinct phases. This work highlights the importance of the partnership between the Department and Connecticut Sea Grant to provide assistance to the industry during a critical time.

• 10/2/2020 CT Grown for CT Kids Week

  Highlight of October National Farm to School Month ​

• 5/3/2021 Connecticut Milk Promotion Board Announces Funding Opportunities

  Connecticut Milk Promotion Board Announces Funding Opportunities for Consumer and Nutrition Education, Media, Research, and Farmer Engagement