Connecticut Department of Agriculture

Press Releases

Page 9 of 17

  • 10/17/2024 USDA and Connecticut Award Over $670,000 to Projects that Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Connecticut to award over $670,000 for three projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems.

  • 4/3/2020 DoAg Facilitates Continuation of Farmers Market and Shellfish Sales during COVID 19

    HARTFORD, CT – The Connecticut Department Agriculture (DoAg) has released guidance documents to facilitate the continuation of farmers’ markets and shellfish sales during the COVID-19 crisis. Per Governor Lamont’s Executive Order 7H, and 7S and DECD’s guidance on essential services and Safe Stores, food and agriculture, including aquaculture, as well as, farmers’ markets and farm stands are deemed essential. The guidance documents contain practices and protocols to be implemented as necessary in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while providing access to supply of local, fresh food.

  • 5/22/2020 CT Farmers Impacted by COVID 19 Eligible for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

    HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont, Congressman Joe Courtney, and Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt are encouraging Connecticut farmers and producers to sign up to receive financial assistance through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Coronavirus Food Assistance program (CFAP), which was authorized by Congress through the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748). Earlier this week U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue released additional details on CFAP which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

  • 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.

  • 9/30/2020 Eighth Generation Family Farm Protected Forever

    The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg), with assistance from Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC), has permanently protected the Maple Bank Farm in Roxbury, owned by Cathleen and Howard Bronson.

  • 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.

  • 1/25/2024 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 12/24/2024 CT DoAg Statement on Animal Welfare and Compliance at the Town of Cheshire Animal Control Facility

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is committed to safeguarding animal welfare in the state. In response to allegations concerning the conditions and care of animals housed at the animal control facility operated by the Town of Cheshire, our state animal control unit initiated a thorough investigation and inspection of the facility.

  • 1/7/2021 Southington Farm Permanently Protected

    State of Connecticut Community Farms Preservation Program Purchases Development Rights of Karabin Farms in Partnership with Town

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 12/23/2024 Connecticut Approves Santa's Reindeer for Flight on Christmas Eve

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt and State Veterinarian Dr. Thamus Morgan announce that Santa Claus and his nine reindeer have received official approval to fly over Connecticut on December 24 to ensure the holiday magic continues without delay.