Connecticut Department of Agriculture

Resources for Farmers

This page includes information on how to participate in an authorized farmers market and how to become FMNP certified. If you are interested in accepting benefits please reach out to Erin Windham at Erin.Windham@ct.gov or Ally Hughes at Allison.Hughes@ct.gov. 

If you are in need of assistance with your SoliSystem app please contact the SoliSystems Helpline at (214) 256-3083.

Participating in a Market

For farmers, farmers’ markets create the opportunity for direct sales, an expanded customer base, and higher on-farm attendance.  

Farmers growing fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, eggs, and honey and selling at a Certified Connecticut Grown farmers’ market are individually certified by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture to accept the electronic benefits as payment for fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and honey. Farmers who want to participate in farmers’ markets should take a look at our Participating in Connecticut Farmers' Market page.  Information on how to establish a market in Connecticut should review our Establishing a Farmers Market in Connecticut. 

To accept FMNP WIC and senior electronic benefits, Connecticut fruit, vegetable, cut herb, eggs, and honey farmers must become certified to sell at an FMNP-authorized farmers' market.  Certification includes:

  1. Being accepted into a Certified Connecticut Grown farmers' market
  2. Complete an FMNP Certification training. To schedule a training please reach out to Erin.Windham@ct.gov or Allison.Hughes@ct.gov.
  3. Submitting a crop plan (below) to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture
  4. Having the production area verified through a certification visit. The Department will contact you to schedule a visit.
  5. Signing a letter of agreement with the agency
  6. Gaining access to the Soli Market Register application on a tablet or smart device. Download the app for iOS here. Download the app for Android here. See the section titled, "SoliMarket Register" to learn to navigate the app.

e-License

When submitting your e-License application you will need to submit a crop plan. If you need assistance in navigating the e-License portal please use this guide. Below are two fillable PDF's to use depending on your farm operation. If you need 

Crop Plan Specialty Crop Plan


Reference Guides

For more information on Connecticut farmers’ markets and other supplemental food programs offered through farmers’ markets, please see the Farmers Market Reference Guide. This document is updated on an annual basis or as needed. 

For more information about the S/FMNP timeline, program requirements, rules and regulations, and check lists view the Farmers' Certification Handbook.

If you need assistance in navigating e-License to submit your crop plan and license need for FMNP please see the how-to guide on use of e-License for Fruit and Vegetable Growers (FVG).