Overview
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture, through Public Act 22-118 was allocated a total of $7 million to support Climate Smart Agriculture production and practices.A virtual workshop to assist interested applicants in learning about the grant program, application requirements, and submission process occurred on Monday, December 19, 2022, via Webex.
DoAg PowerPoint Slides NRCS PowerPoint Slides
The FAQs included here are a working draft and subject to change, added to, or clarified as additional questions/concern arise.
These funds will be made available to the agricultural industry through a new grant program with the following parameters:
There will be four grant allocation categories:
Tier 1: $100,000 to $249,999
Project duration: Up to 18 months
Tier 2: $250,000 to $499,999
Project duration: 18 months up to 2 years
Tier 3: $500,000 to $999,999
Project duration: 2-3 years
Tier 4: $1,000,000 and up
Project durations: 3-5 years
For all grant categories:
- There is no match requirement
- Administrative/indirect costs are allowable
- All agricultural commodities, including forestry, are eligible
- All production types (conventional, organic, indoor/outdoor, soil/water, etc.) are eligible
Priority will be given to projects with the following components:
1.A low administrative percentage
2. Support historically underserved farmers, including but not limited to:
- BIPOC producers
- Veterans
- New and beginning farmer (farming for 1-3 years)
- Anyone in a protected class
- Anyone that speaks English as a second language
3. Leverage funds to match a federal project
4. Enable farmers to participate in another climate smart farming program
5. Enable farmers to be fully compensated for partial reimbursement as a result of participating in a federal program
6. Collaboration with other applicants, amongst like organizations, or other established programs or state initiatives
7. Offer TA to program beneficiaries
8. Encourage peer to peer networking
Advancements of grant funds will be available. Payment schedules for awarded projects will be determined at the time of Contracting. Periodic reporting, data collection, and participation in quarterly awardee meetings will be required.